Treatment of Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis is an immune-mediated inflammatory skin reaction arising from exposure to a triggering substance. First-line management addresses both the source of sensitisation and the acute skin lesions.
Clinical Approach
The first priority is identifying and removing the causative substance. Soothing measures are applied to relieve acute symptoms, and topical corticosteroid therapy is used for localised lesions — with the specific agent chosen according to lesion severity and site.
The full treatment sequence, agent selection, and regimen details are available in the complete protocol below.
References
- In patients with contact dermatitis, the priority is to identify and avoid the causative substance.
- Cool compresses can soothe the symptoms of acute contact dermatitis, and calamine lotion and colloidal oatmeal baths may help dry and soothe acute, oozing lesions.
- Localized acute allergic contact dermatitis lesions are successfully treated with mid- or high-potency topical steroids, such as triamcinolone 0.1% (Kenalog, Aristocort) or clobetasol 0.05% (Temovate).
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