treatment

Last reviewed 10/2020

Identification of the substance and it's subsequent avoidance are the mainstay of treatment.

  • prevention techniques are useful to reduce the risk
    • use appropriate protective clothing, for the hands, occlusive vinyl gloves - not rubber - with a thin pair of cotton gloves underneath to absorb perspiration, is ideal
    • any irritant chemicals should be washed off as soon as possible and emollients such as emulsifying ointment BP should be applied regularly to hydrate the skin.
    • barrier creams are less effective than gloves.

Acute care

  • affected area should be soaked in cool or lukewarm water, saline (1 teaspoon/pint) or Burrow’s solution (13 % aluminum acetate dissolved in water at a 1:40 concentration)
    • antibacterial as well as an anti-inflammatory properties and cooling effect of Burrow’s solution will decrease pruritus and prevent infection

Topical treatments for the condition include:

  • barrier creams
    • useful against low-grade irritants and specially for workers who constantly use water, soap and detergents
    • help to accelerate the rate of healing in damaged skin by increasing skin hydration and modifying endogenous epidermal lipids 
    • commonly used products include:
      • petrolatum - combination of paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, and white mineral oil,
      • dimethicone -
        •  is a man-made polymer of the naturally occurring element silica or silicon
        • used as an emollient to soften and moisturize the skin, facilitate epidermal exfoliation, and provide a protective barrier from irritant
        • sensitization and inflammatory reactions to silicon polymers has limited its use
  • lipid based moisturizers
  • topical corticosteroids
    • efficacy of topical corticosteroids in irritant contact dermatitis is less clear
    • used in a limited scope to treat acute eczematous ICD as they can help decrease inflammation and itch.

Using a soap substitute may be helpful in some people (4).

Antibiotics should be given for any secondary infection. Flucloxacillin or clarithromycin (if the person is allergic to penicillin) is recommended first-line treatment (3).

Reference: