6 Home Remedies to Treat Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a condition that occurs from rubbing a chemical substance on your skin. Learn how to treat it with homemade remedies that have anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties.

Reviewed and approved by the doctor José Gerardo Rosciano Paganelli.

Written by Okairy Zuñiga

Last update: 26 May, 2022

Contact dermatitis is a reddish rash on the skin caused by chemical exposure. The rash usually appears in minutes or hours after exposure, but it can last two to four weeks.

According to Dr. E. Fonseca Capdvila, “you should remember that the same substance can be responsible for contact dermatitis for diverse reasons”. However, there’s no need to excessively worry, contact dermatitis doesn’t put your life at risk nor is it contagious, but it can be uncomfortable.

The experts at the Mayo Clinic explain that some of the more common symptoms of contact dermatitis are the following:

• Dry, cracked, flaky skin.
• Swelling, burning, or slight pain.
• Red skin rash.
• Itching that can be intense.
• Lumps and blisters, sometimes with drainage and scabs.

Homemade remedies to treat contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis has no cure but  you can treat its symptoms. Dr. Fonseca Capdevila suggests that when it comes to treatment, it’s best to avoid contact with the substance that caused the dermatitis.

Below, we’ll show you some homemade solutions that – if your doctor authorizes it as a complementary treatment – can help alleviate the issue.

Remember that just because you use these homemade solutions, it doesn’t mean you can stop following any treatment your doctor has recommended. Overall, these are complementary.

1. Bathing in or applying oats

Oats are a very common ingredient in products like soaps, shampoos, and body creams since it helps you moisturize, exfoliate and leave your skin brighter.

In contact dermatitis, oat treatments are very beneficial and give effective results. Prepare an oat bath just like this:

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons of oatmeal (2 2/3 oz.)
• 2 cups of water

Process

• First, heat the water in a pot.
• Once boiling, remove it from the heat.
• Then, add oatmeal and stir.
• Let it cool for a bit.
• Finally, proceed to make baths with this solution.

Another option is to place the solution in the refrigerator. When it’s cool, apply it to the areas affected by contact dermatitis with a compress.

2. Apply aloe vera gel to the skin

Medical studies show that aloe vera is useful to treat skin conditions. In fact, one of the conditions it works well on is contact dermatitis.

The following is the easiest remedy:

• Cut a leaf of aloe vera
• Then, extract the gel from inside the leaf with a knife
• Finally, apply directly to the affected area by gently massaging. That way, the active components of the plant act on the skin.

3. Bathing in or applying chamomile

To use this remedy:

• First, prepare a chamomile tea like normal
• Then, simply apply it to the affected area with a cotton ball.
• Additionally, you can take advantage of the benefits by taking a bath with this tea.

4. Application of mallow tea

Mallow flowers and leaves have essential properties that protect your skin against eczema. Additionally, they protect against hemorrhoids and dermatitis, among other conditions.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons of dried mallow leaves or flowers (1 1/2 oz.)
• 1 1/2 cup of water

Process

• First, heat the water until it boils.
• Then, add the mallow.
• Let the tea steep until it’s warm.
• Next, apply the tea to the affected area with a piece of a soft cloth to reduce inflammation and refresh.

5. Cucumber cream to relieve contact dermatitis

Cucumbers have moisturizing properties and high vitamin C content. Therefore, they’re great to refresh areas affected by contact dermatitis. Additionally, they lighten the skin and prevent spots that may cause this condition.

In fact, it’s useful to apply cucumber slices directly to the irritated skin, especially in dermatitis cases.

6. Application of thyme tea

Thyme is a culinary herb that has antiseptic properties and helps moisturize the skin. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate the discomfort that contact dermatitis causes.

Make the tea the same way you made chamomile tea. To apply it, simply soak a cotton ball in it or bath the affected area with it.

If you have any doubts, first consult your doctor

If you’re suffering the annoyances of contact dermatitis, we recommend that you consult your doctor before applying any type of homemade remedy. This way, you’ll avoid aggravating the symptoms or developing more.

Remember that your doctor can always suggest the best treatment options for you and the best way you can look after yourself day to day. For that reason, you should always consult a doctor whenever you have doubts. Your skin will thank you for it!