When the skin is red and itchy, it often represents dry skin and eczema, or atopic dermatitis. However allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) can look very similar. ACD is the development of an allergy to something that comes in contact with your skin. A common example is poison ivy/oak which is usually obvious. However many cases of ACD go undiagnosed, because the offending allergen (thing you are allergic to) is hidden in a moisturizer, make-up, laundry sheet, etc.
If your dermatologist is considering the possibility of ACD, or he/she wants to minimize any irritation of already inflamed skin (or both), he/she may ask you to eliminate, as much as possible, all products with potential sensitizers like fragrance, perfume, some preservatives etc. This may include finding new:
And for the moment, no
Unfortunately, you can develop ACD to a product that you’ve used for years. In fact, this is the norm. Patients usually develop ACD after months to years of exposure. Alternatively, the product may have been reformulated and now contains different ingredients.
There are a variety of products out there to choose from. The Vanicream line is nice in that it has nearly all the products you might need. For a more detailed list of products to choose from, see Dr. Katta's excellent website at www.doctorkatta.com.
Vanicream products are available at some drugstores or 1-800-325-8232 or www.vanicream.com.
Follow your dermatologist's recommendations, prescription medications and allergen avoidance to improve your skin. If this is not enough, he/she may recommend patch testing to document any possible allergies.