NECK, RED PATCHES ON: TREATMENT
Calamine lotion and hydrocortisone creams are the most commonly used over-the-counter preparations for contact dermatitis. If blisters start to form, you might want to cover them with gauze to prevent infection. And certainly you should stay away from whatever caused the red patches in the first place.
If the contact dermatitis does not clear up after two weeks or if the rash becomes sevete, see your doctor, who may advise the use of corticosteroids or other prescription medication to treat the condition.
If you think your rash is caused by anxiety and flare-ups start to become regular events, your physician might suggest biofeedback or another relaxation technique to help you learn how to control your stress. In my practice, I see many adults whose necks turn beet red when I examine them. All they have to do, I tell them, is relax.
Tips and Precautions
For some people, their sensitivity is so acute that even calamine lotion causes an allergic reaction. If this describes you, try applying a mixture of baking soda or Epsom salts and water to the rash. Mix the two together to make a paste, and then spread it over the affected area. If the contact dermatitis doesn’t improve after a week or two, see your doctor.
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