In the subacute and chronic stages of contact dermatitis, baths containing Aveeno Oilated or a bath oil may be employed for lubrication. An emollient lotion or ointment applied to the moist skin after bathing also achieves this effect. White petrolatum is bland and protective, but it is occlusive and therefore should not be used in intertriginous areas. These preparations may be applied frequently for lubrication, especially for the dry lichenified skin of chronic contact dermatitis. Creams or ointments containing corticosteroids are effective anti-inflammatory agents and are especially useful in the subacute and chronic stages of contact dermatitis.
Hydrocortisone is effective topically in a one percent concentration.
The high-potency fluorinated corticosteroids act more rapidly but should be used with discretion. Frequent and prolonged use, especially in body areas where absorption is high, may cause undesirable side effects such as atrophy, telangiectasia, or striae. In chronic dermatitis, crude coal tar preparations may be used to control eczema, or a tar solution may be added to the bath. Topical antibiotic preparations may be used for prophylaxis of infection or when secondary infection is a complication. Not all antibiotics can be used topically, however, because some are highly sensitizing.