Lifestyle Can Affect Dermatitis

Treatment for dermatitis includes:
-No scratching! Scratching, of course will only make the dermatitis worse.
-Keep the skin moist.
-over-the-counter or prescription corticosteroid creams (use as directed, see a doctor if rash gets worse or doesn't get better)
-oral antihistamines as prescribed, which helps the itching.
-cool compresses applied for one hour, three times a day will help relieve itching.
Complications of dermatitis include secondary bacterial infections. If blisters, rash and redness get worse or a fever develops, see your doctor. You may have a secondary bacterial infection which requires oral antibiotics.
Prevention includes common sense: avoiding contact with allergic and irritant causes and culprits. Some ways to help when you have a rash include:
-keep your fingernails short, and don't scratch!
Put mittens or socks on the hands of small children at night who may scratch.
-use gentle soaps and rinse well
-use warm water not hot water.
-use your hands not a washcloth to wash yourself.
-use a hypoallergenic skin moisturizer to keep skin moist.
-wear loose fitting clothing in cool, breathable fabrics like cotton.
-switch to mild or hypoallergenic everything.
-wash new clothing before wearing them
-rinse your body after swimming in pools with chlorine
-use sunscreen, avoid too much sun
-avoid sudden temperature changes