Dermatitis & Itch-Relief Creams

Dermatitis is skin inflammation causing redness, itch, vesicles, scaling, or thickening. Four major types:

• Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) — chronic, genetic, often with allergic rhinitis; common at elbow folds, knees, neck.
• Contact Dermatitis — localized to allergen contact areas like metals, fragrances, chemicals.
• Seborrheic Dermatitis — affects oil-rich areas including scalp, hairline, sides of nose.
• Nummular Dermatitis — coin-shaped lesions, commonly on arms and legs.

Dermatitis arises from multiple causes:

• Genetics and impaired skin barrier — filaggrin defects cause water loss and irritant sensitivity.
• External irritants — fragrances, soaps, detergents, dander, pollen, nickel, rubber.
• Climate factors — dry air, cold temperatures, sweat from heat.
• Stress — psychological stress triggers flares; sleep deprivation lowers skin immunity.
• Secondary infection — from prolonged scratching, intensifies severity.

Three main mechanism-based groups of dermatitis topicals cover acute and chronic presentations:

• Elomet Cream — Mometasone Furoate 0.1%, potent steroid for atopic, chronic, and nummular eczema. 1-2 weeks, once daily.
• Fenistil Gel — Dimetindene Maleate 0.1%, topical antihistamine for insect bites, urticaria, acute allergic rashes, children from age 1. Apply 2-4 times daily.
• Myda-B — Betamethasone with Clotrimazole, combination steroid plus antifungal for inflamed rashes with fungal infection. Twice daily.

Correct application maximizes effectiveness:

• Wash hands and clean the area — lukewarm water and mild soap, pat dry.
• One Fingertip Unit (FTU) — fingertip to first joint, ~0.5 g, covers two adult palms.
• Apply thinly and spread evenly — allow 5-10 minutes to absorb before dressing.
• Layer moisturizer afterward — wait 15-30 minutes after the steroid, then moisturize.
• Treatment duration — limit corticosteroids to 1-2 weeks in adults, up to 1 week in children.

Topical corticosteroids are safe with appropriate potency and duration:

• Potency classes — Mild (Hydrocortisone), Moderate (Betamethasone Valerate), Potent (Mometasone Furoate), Very Potent (Clobetasol).
• Local side effects — skin thinning, striae, telangiectasia, steroid acne, mostly from prolonged use.
• Caution areas — face, groin, axilla, under breasts; use mildest effective potency.
• Contraindications — bacterial infection, herpes, shingles, isolated fungal, open wounds.
• Steroid tapering — reduce from daily to alternate days, then stop, to prevent rebound.

Distinguishing rash types matches treatment to cause:

• Atopic Dermatitis — ill-defined borders, scaling, intense itch, on flexures — use topical steroid or antihistamine.
• Contact Dermatitis — sharp borders, vesicles, burning itch — identify trigger, avoid, plus steroid.
• Fungal Infection — raised red ring with central clearing in moist areas — never use steroid alone.
• Mixed inflamed-plus-fungal — chronic scratched rash with fungal infection — use Myda-B.
• Urticaria — wheals shifting within 24 hours — treat with oral antihistamines in Cetirizine.

Atopic dermatitis affects all ages with different patterns:

• Infants under 2 — itchy rashes on cheeks, forehead, trunk — use mild Hydrocortisone with moisturizer.
• Children 2-12 — chronic rashes at flexures — Fenistil Gel (age 1+) or moderate steroid.
• Adults — chronic rashes at flexures, neck, hands — short-course Elomet.
• Atopic March — children with atopic dermatitis often develop allergic rhinitis and asthma.
• Comprehensive care — moisturize twice daily, avoid foaming soaps, keep nails short.

Intimo Life is an online pharmacy delivering to your door:

• Choose your product — Elomet Cream, Fenistil Gel, or Myda-B based on symptoms.
• Consult before ordering — chat via LINE @intimolife with rash photos and allergy history.
• Payment — QR PromptPay, credit card, or cash on delivery.
• Delivery — Bangkok 1-2 days, upcountry 2-3 days, in plain packaging.
• If unsure — message a pharmacist for free advice.