Contact Dermatitis: Treatment

The mainstay of treatment for contact dermatitis is strict  avoidance of the offending substance.  Once the substance has been identified, education is provided regarding sources of the substance, and means by which to avoid it.  

In cases of acute flares of contact dermatitis, treatment is based on:

• Topical corticosteroids: these are effective when a small percentage of the body is affected.  Care should be taken when applying these to thinner skin, such as the eyelids.  
• Systemic corticosteroids: these are reserved for severe cases of contact dermatitis, and include both oral and injectable forms.