Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a skin rash caused by something that touches the skin and causes irritation or inflammation. Your skin may be red, swollen, dry, cracked and itch. The rash should go away in a few days but can last a few weeks.

If you get a rash, it’s important to figure out what caused it so the irritant can be avoided in the future.

Treatment Options

There are many home remedies that can help reduce your discomfort while your rash heals.

• Take cool showers and avoid direct sunlight
• Apply a cool compress or wet dressings
• Take a bath with colloidal (finely ground) oatmeal
• Use a hydrocortisone cream
• Take an antihistamine

See a doctor if your rash:

• Spreads or swells
• Begins to smell
• Blisters and opens, and develops a yellow-brown crust
• Causes you to develop a fever