Any suggestions for contact dermititis?!
Question: My 12 year old daughter has this. Nothing really works unless I keep her saturated with a heavy, non-scented cream and benadryl for itching. This sucks, especially in the summer. She is being scared on her ankles and arms from scratching. The doctor can't seem to prescribe the correct ointments.
Answers: My 12 year old daughter has this. Nothing really works unless I keep her saturated with a heavy, non-scented cream and benadryl for itching. This sucks, especially in the summer. She is being scared on her ankles and arms from scratching. The doctor can't seem to prescribe the correct ointments.
As a suggestion take her to a allergies specialist. Usually contact dermatitis is outbursted when she comes in contact or eats the allergen she does not tolerate. Calamine lotion or aloe vera gel tend to soothe the itching. Remember also dermatitis is and auto immune disorder which has to be treated. So after controlling her topic problem you should consider auto immune balancers to help her live better when she reacher her adulthood.
Bathe her in a little vinegar and witch hazel, this should help the itching and the witch hazel will soothe her skin.
Have you tried switching laundry soap (to All Free and Clear or Cheer Free)? Don't use fabric softeners. Change bath soaps to one that has no dyes, and no perfume. It would be easier to figure out what it is she is allergic to and eliminate that rather than treat her forever. Good luck.
I was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, it was caused by Claritin allergy medicine. It took almost a year to figure that out. There is no telling what a person might be allergic to.
OK... Hold on here goes!!
I have had atopic dermatitis and eczema my entire life I am 21 now ! NOOOOO Dr. could help me .... Not even a skin dr they all suck!
I had to change ALL my laundry detergent to ALL FREE AND CLEAR! I can't use and scented detergent or those bounce sheets ever! Don't let ur daughter eat chicken it's one of the worst things for u when u have this skin disease! U need to soak her in a bath tub every night in Cool dead sea salt!! Dont put her in warm or super hot it makes the condition worse! U need to change her shampoo and conditioner to free and clear it smells funcky but it will keep it under control. She also needs to buy cetaphil liquid wash to bathe herself in ! U can't put any scented lotions on her . U need to go buy cetaphil lotion and cream that's what I use dont rub her skin dry, damp it dry and then put lotion on right away!!! I have been dealing with my skin disease for 21 years and this is all the stuff I use... Also give her fish oil vitamins 1 in the am and 1 in the pm this will reduce the skins reproductive system! I promise u this works! By the way this disease will make her very depressed in the future I have been there and done it! I also want u to be aware that using scented soaps on all the rest of ur families clothes won't help! EVERYTHING needs to be washed in the same stuff don't let her clean with chemicals etc. Also if u don't have a soft water treatment system and u can't afford to buy one then go to home depot and buy the 20.00 one's that attatch to ur shower head and that helps reduce chlorine etc. also don't let her swim either.
Contact dermatitis is caused by exposure to allergens or irritants. The best treatment is avoidance... try to find out what is causing the reaction and avoid it.
Hydrocortisone cream can be helpful but long term use and use over a large part of the body can cause side effects. In severe cases, a systemic steriod (like prednisone) can be helpful but it can have serious side effects.
A dermatologist could probably help you more than a primary care doctor, if she hasn't been to one yet... and depending on the type of contact dermatitis, an allergy doctor might be helpful as well.
Calamine lotion and oatmeal baths might help with the itching. You might want to try Claritin instead of Benadryl (or alternate) to see if that is helpful.
It sounds pretty miserable... especially during summer. Good luck to both of you.
I agree with Pam H; you can use emulsifying ointment as a bath emollient mix 50g with some water and then add it to the bath. Its cheap and you should be able to get it in you local pharmacy. It's great for dry skin.
Your daughter could be allergic to anything, start a diary and keep track of what products you remove from her routine and over the course of a week or two record whether their is an improvement in her skin.
Also crotamiton is great for relieving itch its available as Eurax but may have other brand names and you could use it with or instead of the benadryl.