Dermatitis Prevention and Treatment

Treatments will remain similar for most types of dermatitis, but there will be other considerations such as prevention, and other lifestyle care that will differ depending on your condition. Although dermatitis is rarely a serious condition that has serious medical implications, it can be very distracting, uncomfortable, and irritating. We recommend that you visit a doctor earlier rather than later, as it tends to clear faster when treatment is immediate and aggressive.

Contact dermatitis

Prevention

Prevention is critical when it comes to contact dermatitis. While there are many treatments that will temporarily quell the inflammation or rash, there aren't any treatments to remove your body's reaction to an irritant or make you non-allergic. Without making changes to remove contact with the irritant or allergen in question, the dermatitis will be a recurring problem.

Identify the source of the problem. You need to know the cause of the problem or there is no way to avoid it. An allergist may be able to help you if you are not sure.
If you cannot avoid contact with the source (work-related), take steps to reduce contact as much as possible. Use gloves as much as possible, for example if you work at a restaurant.
If you know what you are allergic to and come into contact with the substance in question, wash your hand with soap and water thoroughly.

Treatment

In most cases, you will not require any medical intervention. Once the source of the irritant or allergen is removed, it should clear on its own over time. If you can wash your hands with soap and water immediately following contact with the offending substance, you can greatly reduce the extent and severity of the reaction. Over-the-counter antihistamines or 1% hydrocortisones can help to bring down itching and swelling, so that you do not aggravate it further by scratching the site.

Often no treatment is required, but you must identify the cause and avoid it
Antihistamines can help to reduce itching
Corticosteroids can help reduce itch and quell inflammation

Atopic Dermatitis

Prevention

Atopic dermatitis is a tendency, and the condition itself cannot be prevented. Many of the risk factors for this condition are hereditary, and the environmental factors are complex and poorly understood. Atopic dermatitis is thus considered to be a chronic skin problem that should be controlled and managed, rather than prevented or cured. There are, however, lifestyle adjustments that can help to control and manage flares, which result in itching and scratching.

Atopic dermatitis is a tendency, and the condition itself cannot be prevented.
If known, avoid those triggers; common triggers include harsh soaps, detergents, dander
Resist scratching. Use medication if necessary to control the itching as it damages the skin, often inducing further itch.
Do not bathe for long periods of time, or use extremely hot water as it dries the skin

Treatment

Treatments go hand in hand with prevention in the case of atopic dermatitis. Preventative measures need to be practiced to minimize the chance of flares occurring, and swift and aggressive treatment is recommended to quell flares as soon as it starts to minimize its severity. Treatments focus on reducing itching and controlling inflammation. Itching in particular is important to control, as itching induces scratching on the part of the patient, which worsens the condition and causes further itching. This cycle, called the itch/scratch cycle, is a serious problem with atopic dermatitis.

Early and aggressive treatment is recommended when atopic dermatitis flares to quickly stop itching and to prevent scratching from damaging the skin further
Moisturizers should continue to be used during flares as dryness is a problem
Topical steroids are often the first line of therapy as they are powerful, and fast acting, reducing itch and inflammation
Antihistamines can help reduce itch, which is important to prevent excessive scratching
Calcinurin inhibitors can support steroids, and they work via different mechanisms
Oral antibiotics may be prescribed if the damaged area becomes infected

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Prevention

Seborrheic dermatitis tends to be a chronic condition, and is difficult to prevent. Some people appear to have a tendency to develop this condition when past the age of 30, and the exact cause is still unknown. Although several factors such as stress, good hygiene, and diet are known factors that can increase or decrease the chance of having flares, no prevention method is considered to be a preventative method. The main focus should be on effectively controlling the condition when it does flare. With proper treatment, the condition should subside within a few weeks.

Seborrheic dermatitis is difficult to prevent but tends to occur more often during the winter in areas where the air is cold and dry during the winter months
Good hygiene and proper washing on a regular basis is important
High stress appears to be correlated with seborrheic dermatitis flares
Anti-fungal shampoos may help to reduce the chances of seborrheic dermatitis flares
Focus should be on early treatment when flares do occur

Treatment

The main treatment for seborrheic dermatitis is medicated shampoos similar to dandruff treatment. Anti-yeast products and occasional use of mild topical steroids may be warranted to control persistent cases of seborrheic dermatitis.

Anti-fungal shampoos can help control the condition (ketaconazole, salicylic acid, and sulphur are ingredients found in many over-the-counter products that help reduce fungus)
Prescription shampoos may be necessary if the usual products are not controlling the inflammation
If the inflammation is severe, you may need to control the swelling with topical steroids

Perioral Dermatitis

Prevention

Perioral dermatitis is common among women between the ages of 20 and 45. There are several causes, but the common ones are: Overuse of fluorinated topical steroids in susceptible people, overuse of harsh soaps and cosmetics, and continual irritation from these products or other skin conditions. Avoiding these common triggers as much as possible can help reduce flare-ups.

Good hygiene-Washing your face with water regularly can help reduce perioral dermatitis
Moisturizers, cleansers, and make-up can contribute to perioral dermatitis, if it contains harsh ingredients
Misuse of topical steroids can cause a reaction resulting in perioral dermatitis

Treatment

Perioral dermatitis can be treated effectively in most cases without any complications. Treatment often starts with discontinuing factors that lead to the development of perioral dermatitis, often a cosmetic product that was not agreeable. Although the condition can recur in some cases, treatment in general is usually successful.

Prior to treatment and during treatment, the use of cosmetics should be stopped altogether.
Wash using water only (no soap or cleansers) during treatment
A dermatologist may recommend oral antibiotics.