Contents
At the heart of allergic dermatitis is the reaction of the immune system to any allergen1. Each time upon contact with an allergen, immune cells will try to protect the body from the “enemy”, as a result of which we can observe allergic skin rashes, often accompanied by itching and redness.
Dermatitis should not be ignored, as the disease does not go away on its own. Treatment is carried out under the individual supervision of a dermatologist or an allergist-immunologist.
For the treatment of skin allergies in adults, ointments and creams are often prescribed to help relieve itching, flaking, inflammation and pain.1. There are 2 main groups of drugs:
- Non-hormonal creams / ointments. They gently affect the body and have virtually no contraindications. Effectively deal with unpleasant symptoms, they can be used for a long time. Not suitable for the treatment of chronic or severe forms of allergic dermatitis2.
- Hormonal creams/ointments. They are prescribed by specialists to treat more severe forms of the disease and to achieve a quick and lasting effect. Most drugs in this category effectively relieve itching and redness. It is necessary to strictly adhere to the recommendations of the attending physician to avoid side effects.2.
Do not be afraid of hormonal drugs, it is enough to observe all the conditions of use: do not increase the duration of the course, do not prescribe the drug yourself, do not exceed the daily dosage. Let’s look at inexpensive and effective ointments for skin allergies in adults, which are usually recommended by doctors.
List of top 10 inexpensive and effective ointments for skin allergies in adults according to KP
1. Radevit-Active
Non-hormonal ointment for external use Radevit-Active contains: vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin D2. The ointment effectively relieves itching and accelerates the processes of skin regeneration, has an anti-inflammatory effect and enhances the protective functions of the skin.
Radevit-Active ointment is applied externally in a thin layer 2 times a day. In some cases, use under a bandage is allowed. If the ointment is applied to areas of skin with cracks, it is necessary to pre-treat them with an antiseptic.
Противопоказания: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, hypervitaminosis A, D, E, taking retinoids.
2. Zinc ointment
Zinc ointment has long proven itself positively due to its effectiveness and minimal cost. The ointment has a fairly short and understandable composition: zinc oxide acts as an active substance, and vaseline is an auxiliary substance.
Non-hormonal ointment has an anti-inflammatory effect and dries weeping areas. It has an additional antiseptic effect, protects the skin from the negative effects of external factors.
Zinc ointment is applied to the affected area of the skin with a thin layer. Possible cracks and formed crusts are recommended to be pre-treated with an antiseptic and then apply the ointment 4-6 times a day. If there is an additional infection, the use of the ointment should be abandoned.
Противопоказания: hypersensitivity to the components of the ointment.
3. Psilo-balm
Anti-allergic non-hormonal agent in the form of a transparent gel for external use. The active substance of the gel – Diphenhydramine (better known under the trade name Diphenhydramine) blocks histamine receptors, due to which itching and swelling are quickly removed, pain is reduced. Also, the gel has a cooling effect, which also helps in the fight against skin itching. The gel texture of the drug is well absorbed and does not leave marks on clothes.
Psilo-balm can be used for skin itching with allergic dermatitis, as well as to relieve itching and irritation after insect bites. The gel is applied externally 3-4 times a day, spreading over the affected area of the skin with soft massaging movements.
Противопоказания: children’s age up to 2 years, lactation period. But during pregnancy, the gel can be used.
4. Belosalik ointment
Ointment Belosalik refers to hormonal agents and has anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects. The synthetic hormone betamethasone dipropionate reduces itching, inflammation and redness. Salicylic acid in the composition of the product has an exfoliating effect, maintains an acidic environment on the surface of the skin and thereby prevents the development of fungal and bacterial infections.
The drug is suitable for the treatment of subacute and chronic forms of dermatitis, including skin allergies in adults. The maximum course of treatment is 4 weeks, twice a day is enough. With a mild course of the disease, it is enough to use the ointment once a day.
Belosalik can be used on the skin and scalp, while avoiding contact with mucous membranes. It is also not recommended to use the ointment under an airtight bandage.
Противопоказания: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug; rosacea, acne, perioral dermatitis, bacterial, viral or fungal infections of the skin; children’s age up to 2 years; pregnancy (long-term treatment in high doses); breastfeeding period.
5. Advantan
Hormonal ointment Advantan belongs to a new generation of drugs with a sparing effect. It is allowed to use the ointment for up to 3 months without interruption in adults. In children, the duration of treatment is no more than 4 weeks. In this case, the drug is well tolerated, and side effects are extremely rare.
Advantan effectively copes with such manifestations of skin allergies as redness, swelling, itching, pain and irritation. The ointment is allowed to be used to relieve an allergic reaction on the face, including on the eyelids. However, in this case, the course of treatment should not last longer than one week.
Противопоказания: viral diseases (for example, chickenpox, herpes zoster), in the area of application of the drug; rosacea, perioral dermatitis in the area of application of the drug; children’s age up to 4 months; hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
6. Elokom cream
Elocom hormonal cream is suitable for the treatment of various dermatoses in adults and children from 2 years of age. The cream effectively fights skin allergies in adults, relieving all unpleasant symptoms, including itching, swelling, redness and peeling of the skin. It is not recommended to use it under an airtight bandage and under diapers. You should also avoid applying the cream on the face, in the groin area and armpits. As for the use of the drug in pregnant women, it is prescribed only under the strict supervision of a doctor.
The course of treatment with Elok cream is also prescribed by the attending physician, its duration depends on the severity of the disease. However, the manufacturer does not recommend using the drug for more than 2 weeks.
Противопоказания: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
7. Flucinar
Flucinar ointment is a hormonal potent drug for the treatment of many dermatological diseases, including skin allergies. The ointment has a decongestant, antipruritic and anti-inflammatory effect and can help in cases where other hormonal ointments have not worked.
It is allowed to apply ointment to the skin of the face only as a last resort, while the course of treatment should not exceed 5 days. Before applying, it is recommended to treat the affected area of the skin with an antiseptic preparation and apply the ointment in a thin layer.
Do not use the drug for perioral dermatitis, viral, bacterial and fungal skin diseases. It is preferable to use the ointment for dry forms of dermatitis. The course of treatment depends on the course of the disease, but, as a rule, should not exceed 14 days.
Противопоказания: pregnancy, lactation, acne, ulcers and burns on the skin.
8. Acriderm
Hormonal ointment Akriderm is suitable for the treatment of dermatological diseases, including acute, subacute and chronic allergic dermatitis. The drug prevents the appearance of edema, relieves itching, has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects.
The course of therapy is prescribed by the attending physician depending on the patient’s condition. In mild forms, it is enough to apply the ointment once a day to the affected areas. In more severe cases, the frequency of application is determined by the doctor. The course of treatment, on average, is 2-4 weeks.
Противопоказания: hypersensitivity to betamethasone or other components of the drug: bacterial (skin tuberculosis, skin manifestations of syphilis), fungal, viral (chicken pox, herpes simplex) skin diseases, open wounds, rosacea, acne vulgaris, skin cancer, nevus, atheroma, lactation period and children under 1 year of age.
9. Komfoderm
A mild hormonal drug of the latest generation is prescribed for dermatological diseases, including allergic dermatitis. The ointment helps reduce itching, swelling, irritation and flaking of the skin (can also be used on the scalp).
The course of treatment in adults can reach 12 weeks. Komfoderm is applied to the affected area of the skin with a thin layer once a day, avoiding the area of the eyes and mucous membranes. The use of ointment on the face is permissible for a course of no more than 1 days.
Противопоказания: viral diseases (for example, chickenpox, herpes zoster), in the area of application of the drug; rosacea, perioral dermatitis, children under 4 months of age; hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
10. Neotanin
Non-hormonal cream for adults and newborns. The tool is suitable for allergic dermatitis, which occur with severe itching, inflammation and irritation. And the Neotanin spray can also be used on weeping areas.
The active component of the cream is synthetic tannin, which effectively fights itching after the first seconds of application. In the presence of skin lesions, the active substance stops the release of tissue fluids, contributing to the speedy healing of the damaged area, and additionally has an antimicrobial effect.
Polidocanol in the composition of the cream has an analgesic and antipruritic effect. The action of the cream comes very quickly and lasts, on average, 3-4 hours (depending on the severity of the disease).
Противопоказания: no
How to choose an ointment for skin allergies in adults
Only the attending physician can choose an effective and safe ointment for allergies. When the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to sign up for a consultation with a specialist who will collect an anamnesis, conduct the necessary studies and determine the true cause of an allergic reaction.3.
Self-administration of drugs, especially hormonal ones, can not only aggravate the course of the disease, but also cause serious side effects.3.
Reviews of doctors about ointments for skin allergies in adults
Most experts speak positively about the use of various external agents (creams, ointments, gels, etc.) in the treatment of allergic dermatitis. Most allergy ointments do a good job of itching and redness, reduce the manifestation of swelling and pain, and also moisturize the skin and prevent viruses, fungi and bacteria from penetrating damaged areas of the epidermis, thereby reducing the risk of secondary infection.4. At the same time, non-hormonal ointments are considered safer, since they have a relatively natural composition and are less likely to cause addiction and the occurrence of side infections.
Popular questions and answers
Answers to popular questions about allergic dermatitis doctor-dermatologist Aleksandr Chizhov.
Why can skin allergies occur in adults?
How to understand that a rash on the skin of an allergic nature?
What can not smear the skin with allergies?
Sources of:
- Minaeva N.V., Devyatkova E.A. Allergic morbidity in patients of different age groups. Perm Medical Journal, 2019. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/allergicheskaya-zabolevaemost-u-patsientov-raznyh-vozrastnyh-grupp/viewer
- Belyaeva T.M., Zonov A.V., Zonov V.F., Sundeeva E.A., Belyaeva A.M. Risk factors and features of the clinical course of toxidermia. Medicine of Kyrgyzstan, 2014. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/faktory-riska-i-osobennosti-klinicheskogo-techeniya-toksidermiy/viewer
- Kolkhir P.V. Contact dermatitis (part i). Allergology and immunology in pediatrics, 2010. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/kontaktnyy-dermatit-chast-i/viewer
- Shishalova T.N., Ukhanova O.P. Modern diagnostic tools for allergic contact dermatitis. Science and Modernity, 2011. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/sovremennye-instrumenty-diagnostiki-kontaktnogo-allergicheskogo-dermatita/viewer