Online Dermatitis Treatment

What we prescribe depends on which type of dermatitis you have and where it sits on your body. Once our doctor has reviewed your symptoms and photos, a prescription can be sent to your pharmacy the same day when medically appropriate.

• Triamcinolone: a mid-strength topical steroid for flares on the body, arms, and legs.
• Betamethasone: a stronger topical steroid for thick or stubborn patches away from the face.
• Ketoconazole: an antifungal cream or shampoo, the usual choice for seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.
• Tacrolimus: a steroid-free ointment that suits the face, eyelids, and skin folds.
• Pimecrolimus: a steroid-free cream for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis on delicate skin.
• Metronidazole: a topical antibiotic, one of the first-line treatments for perioral dermatitis.
• Doxycycline: an oral antibiotic for perioral dermatitis that is widespread or slow to settle.
• Hydroxyzine: an antihistamine that takes the edge off the itch, which helps most at night.

Dermatitis is a group of conditions rather than one, and telling them apart is what decides the treatment. These are the ones our doctors see most:

• Atopic dermatitis, the type most people call eczema. It is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease. It usually starts in childhood and settles in the elbow creases, behind the knees, on the hands, and on the face.
• Contact dermatitis, a reaction in the exact spot where the skin meets something it does not like. That can be an irritant, such as a detergent, or an allergen, such as nickel, fragrance, or poison ivy.
• Seborrheic dermatitis, which leaves flaky white to yellowish scales on oily areas such as the scalp, eyebrows, sides of the nose, and ears. On a baby, it is called cradle cap.
• Perioral dermatitis, small inflamed bumps, and scaly pink patches around the mouth. It can reach the nose and the skin around the eyes, which is why it is also called periorificial dermatitis.
• Stasis dermatitis, discolored and itchy skin on the lower legs and ankles. Here, the skin is the symptom and the circulation is the problem, so treatment has to cover both.

If you are not sure which one you have, that is normal, and it is exactly what the consultation is for. Send a photo, and our doctor will tell you what you are looking at.

Dermatitis is the medical name for skin that has become inflamed. It is not one condition but a family of them, and the common examples are contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis. Eczema is one of those types, atopic dermatitis, rather than another name for dermatitis as a whole.

What dermatitis does is turn a patch of skin red and itchy, and it can raise small blisters that weep or crust over. The itch is the part that causes trouble. Scratching damages the skin further, which makes it itch more and gives bacteria a way in, so a small patch can spread or become infected.

None of the types we treat are contagious, so you cannot catch dermatitis from someone else or pass it on. Most of them settle with treatment but return in flares when something sets them off, so the goal is to calm a flare quickly and then keep the skin steady in between.

What causes dermatitis flares?

Dermatitis flares happen when something irritates your skin or causes your immune system to react. Common triggers include soaps, fabrics, lotions, stress, and allergies to pollen, certain foods, or animals. The cause can also vary depending on the type of dermatitis:

• Contact dermatitis: Happens when your skin comes into contact with an irritant, such as a detergent, or an allergen, such as nickel or poison ivy.
• Atopic dermatitis: Often develops because of a combination of genetic and environmental factors that make the skin barrier weaker.
• Seborrheic dermatitis: Often affects oily areas of the skin and is linked to a type of yeast called Malassezia. Stress, tiredness, extreme weather, and heavy alcohol use can make it worse.
• Perioral dermatitis: Can be triggered by steroid creams and nasal steroids. Fluoride toothpaste and heavy cosmetics may also contribute.
• Stasis dermatitis: Happens when blood builds up in the veins of the legs because the valves in those veins are not working properly.

Identifying what triggers your flare-ups can help with treatment. A doctor can review your symptoms, medical history, skincare products, and the rash’s location to determine the likely cause and recommend appropriate treatment.

Only partly. Treatment usually starts by removing things that may be irritating the skin.

• For perioral dermatitis, stop topical steroid creams and fluorinated dental products.
• For eyelid dermatitis, stop using cosmetics and skincare products around the eyes until the cause is clear.
• Your skin may look worse for a week or two after stopping a steroid cream. This can happen as the skin adjusts.
• Avoid restarting steroid creams on your own, especially around the eyes.

If the rash does not improve, you may need prescription treatment. Depending on the type and severity, a doctor may recommend topical or oral antibiotics or other prescription creams.

If you’re unsure what is causing the rash, a doctor can review your symptoms and a clear photo, determine the likely cause, and recommend the appropriate treatment.