Treating Dermatitis Rashes by How They Look

Treating a skin rash starts with home and over-the-counter remedies

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Dermatitis is a rash or skin irritation. There are many different types of dermatitis, so it can be difficult to know what type of rash you have. Once you match your dermatitis symptoms to a type of rash, you’ll know how to treat dermatitis to get your rash to go away. 

Continue reading to learn more about dermatitis, including dermatitis on the face, hives on the elbows, and rash behind the knees; whether dermatitis is contagious, and how to get rid of your dermatitis. 

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) on a person's skin

Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand www.dermnetnz.org 2023.

Dermatitis Comes in Many Forms

There are lots of differenttypes of dermatitis. Before you can treat a dermatitis rash, you need to try to determine what type you have. Here’s an overview of common types of dermatitis. 

Contact Dermatitis 

Contact dermatitis is a rash that’s caused by something that irritates your skin. It can also happen when your skin comes into contact with something you’re allergic to. A reaction to poison ivy or a rash around your wedding ring are examples of contact dermatitis. 

Contact dermatitis causes an itchy red rash that might include bumps and blisters. You may also have swelling, oozing, or dry skin. 

Allergic contact dermatitis on the skin

Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Waikato District Health Board www.dermnetnz.org 2022.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin rash more commonly known as eczema. The medical community is not sure what causes eczema, but genetic factors may create a change in the skin’s structure, which then allows irritants and allergens into the skin. 

Atopic dermatitis can look different depending on what subtype you have. General atopic dermatitis symptoms include:

  • Dry, scaly, and swollen skin
  • Areas of redness; discoloration after an outbreak
  • Oozing bumps that crust over
A person with eczema (atopic dermatitis) on their legs

Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand and © Dr. Richard Ashton www.dermnetnz.org 2023.

Dyshidrotic Dermatitis

Dyshidrotic dermatitis is a rash that causes blisters on the palms of the hands, fingers and feet. The rash is usually very itchy. It is unknown why it occurs, but it’s more likely to be seen in females than males.

Neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis is a rash that causes small patches of intensely itchy skin. The patches most often appear on the limbs, neck or head, or genitals. They are up to 4 inches wide and can be red, brown, purple, or gray. 

The cause of neurodermatitis is unknown, but it occurs most often in adults who have other skin conditions, including other types of dermatitis. 

Seborrheic Dermatitis 

Seborrheic dermatitis is most commonly known as dandruff or cradle cap. It’s a type of dermatitis that causes red or white scales to form on the scalp or, occasionally, the face. This type of dermatitis is caused by an overgrowth of yeast. 

Different types of dermatitis can be hard to tell apart, even for professionals. You might also have more than one type at the same time. When in doubt, reach out to a dermatologist to help diagnose your specific type of dermatitis.

A close up of an arm pit with seborrheic dermatitis (eczema)

Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand www.dermnetnz.org 2023.

How to Treat a Dermatitis Rash

The treatment for your rash will depend on what type of dermatitis you have and what the cause or trigger is. Since it can be hard to determine what’s irritating your skin, it’s often helpful to visit a dermatologist if your dermatitis doesn’t clear up on its own within a few days. 

While treatments vary, there are some remedies that can be used for many cases of dermatitis. 

Home Remedies

Taking care of sensitive skin starts at home. Here’s where to begin: 

  • Identify your triggers: Keep a note of where and when symptoms appear or get worse. This can help you determine what triggers—whether specific foods, stress, or clothing items—are causing your dermatitis. 
  • Use cool compresses to relieve itching: Try not to scratch at the rash, which can increase the risk of secondary infections. 
  • Cover the rash: Wear long sleeves or clothing that covers the rash, in order to reduce your access to itch. 
  • Take an oatmeal bath: This can reduce itching and soothe your skin. 
  • Moisturize often: Moisturizing your skin can help protect it from future rashes. Use an unscented lotion to avoid irritating your skin. If you have atopic dermatitis, learn about the best eczema self-care routines
  • Use products for sensitive skin: Avoid soaps, moisturizers and shampoos that have dyes, scent or other harsh ingredients. 

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Remedies

OTC remedies can help relieve itching and other dermatitis symptoms. However, if your rash is severe enough that you need medications, it’s best to talk with a doctor to create a treatment plan. 

OTC medications that might help with dermatitis are:

  • Hydrocortisone cream can reduce itching and swelling. This is a great treatment for atopic or contact dermatitis, but you shouldn’t use it for more than a few days without talking to a healthcare provider.
  • Antihistamines, or allergy medications, reduce your body’s response to an allergen. Antihistamines like Claritin,Benadryl, and others can help treat dermatitis and prevent a rash from occurring in the future. 
  • Calamine lotion, a cream that uses zinc oxide or zinc carbonate, stops itchiness.

Prescription Medications 

Some people, particularly those with chronic or frequent occurrences of dermatitis, will need prescription medication to treat their skin rash. If your dermatitis doesn’t clear up within a few days, talk to a dermatologist, who may recommend medications including steroids or other eczema treatments.  

Preventing Future Dermatitis Rashes

It can be difficult to avoid dermatitis. Your skin comes into contact with hundreds of substances and surfaces each day, and it’s impossible to always know which will be irritating. Still, you can reduce your risk of future rashes by:

  • Avoiding any known allergen or triggers
  • Keeping your skin moisturized
  • Using products meant for sensitive skin, and avoiding harsh ingredients
  • Working with a dermatologist to develop and follow a treatment plan that works for you

Summary

Dermatitis is a skin irritation. It can have lots of causes and lots of treatment options. If you have dermatitis, try to identify the cause. Keep your skin moist with a gentle lotion, and use tools like cool compresses to reduce itching. OTC creams and antihistamines can also help keep you comfortable. If your symptoms continue or recur often, talk to a dermatologist about developing a treatment plan for dermatitis. 

5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. National Eczema Association. Contact dermatitis.

  2. American Academy of Dermatology. Eczema types: atopic dermatitis overview. November 28, 2022.

  3. National Eczema Association. An overview of the different types of eczema.

  4. Agrawal R, Woodfolk JA. Skin barrier defects in atopic dermatitis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014;14(5):433. doi:10.1007/s11882-014-0433-9

  5. Abraham A, Roga G. Topical steroid-damaged skin. Indian J Dermatol. 2014;59(5):456–459. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.139872

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By Kelly Burch
Kelly Burch is has written about health topics for more than a decade. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, and more.