Atopic Dermatitis (Adult)

Home care

Follow these tips to care for your condition:

• Keep the areas of rash clean by bathing at least every other day. Use lukewarm water to bathe. Don’t use hot water, which can dry out the skin. Keep showers short--over washing can remove the natural protective oils from your skin.

• Don’t use soaps with strong detergents or added chemicals for fragrance. Use mild, unscented soaps made for sensitive skin.

• Apply a moisturizing cream or ointment to damp skin right after bathing. If your provider prescribed any other creams or ointments, use them as directed.

• Stay away from things that irritate your skin. Wear absorbent, soft fabrics next to the skin rather than rough or scratchy materials.

• Use mild laundry soap free of scents and perfumes. Make sure to rinse all the soap out of your clothes.

• Treat any skin infection as directed.

• Use oral diphenhydramine to help reduce itching. This is an antihistamine you can buy at drug and grocery stores. It can make you sleepy, so use lower doses during the daytime. Be cautious of driving or operating machinery. Or you can use loratadine or other antihistamines that may not make you as sleepy. Don't use diphenhydramine if you have glaucoma or have trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate.

Follow-up care

See your provider, or as advised. If your symptoms don’t get better or if they get worse in the next 7 days, make an appointment with your provider.

When to contact your doctor

Contact your provider right away if:

• The area of redness or pain in the skin gets bigger.

• You see yellow crusts or wet drainage from the rash.

• You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your provider.