Contact Dermatitis Drugs

In the most severe cases of skin allergies, prescription-strength corticosteroid creams or ointments can be applied topically to reduce inflammation or internally for particularly severe allergic reactions. In some cases, a doctor may recommend oral or injected systemic corticosteroids for a short period of time. They are generally used only for less than two weeks before use is tapered off.

Along with, or instead of, corticosteroid skin treatment, your doctor could prescribe you tacrolimus ointment (Protopic) or pimecrolimus cream (Elidel) to treat the symptoms of the rash, such as redness, scaling, and itching.

Experienced allergists or internists will also opt, in some cases, to do nothing to the affected area. This will depend on the doctor’s close examination, which may indicate that any treatment or medication could actually cause more problems than relief.