Contact Dermatitis

The reaction will likely continue while the skin continues to be exposed to the allergen or irritant, and will recur each time it meets it, possibly increasing in severity. So if you can identify what is causing the reaction, you can then try to avoid this, or put measures in place to protect yourself, for example, wearing gloves to handle certain chemicals.

Unfortunately, if the reactive substance is part of your job, such as a hairdresser with sensitivity to hair dyeing agents, this may have future implications and you should seek medical advice on avoidance or protective measures at work.

Depending on how severe the reaction is, you can see your pharmacist about treatments such as a mild steroid cream and thick moisturizers.

The first line of treatment for allergic or contact dermatitis at the pharmacy would be antihistamines to calm down the allergic response.

Chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine are particularly effective for skin reactions; however, they have a short duration of action of around four to six hours, and hence require being taken several times a day. The good news is that you should see improvement with just a couple of doses. You should be aware that these medications can commonly cause drowsiness.

Newer longer-acting antihistamines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin) are less likely to cause drowsiness and can be taken once a day.

Add-on therapy such as using a mild corticosteroid can help to further reduce redness and swelling. Examples include Cortizone cream (contains hydrocortisone 1%), which is a mild steroid. Care must be taken not to apply on broken or infected skin.

Moisturizers will reduce dryness, which can cause an itch. There are many types of these to provide a moisturizing barrier over the skin and aid healing. They can be used instead of a steroid cream or can be used on top of the steroid cream if required - just remember to leave a 20-minute gap between applying the steroid and the moisturizer. A good example for itchy or irritated skin is Dermacool 2% cream which contains menthol for a soothing effect plus aqueous cream to moisturize, or calamine in aqueous cream. Other natural alternatives include aloe vera, which has natural healing properties.

If the reaction is not improving after seven days of over-the-counter treatment, is spreading, is particularly sore, or you have skin cracks or crusting, you should see your doctor. If you are having difficulty negotiating special measures at work, and suspect that this may have caused your reaction, your doctor may be able to offer support.

You may be fit for work depending on how bothersome the dermatitis is. If you suspect or know that allergens or irritants at work are responsible for the dermatitis, you may need to avoid these while awaiting medical advice.