Minor Skin Irritation? How To Treat It At Home

Skin irritations can be located anywhere on the body. They can be concerning if they worsen and are spreading across your body, or if they are causing you pain or too much discomfort. If you do notice any of these things, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist to have your skin irritation treated properly. If you have just a minor irritation, you may be able to treat it at home using the tips below.

1. Keep It Clean

The skin irritation may have been caused by bacteria, or simply from friction, but whatever the irritation is caused by, you need to keep it clean to prevent it from worsening. Use soap and water to clean the skin irritation and prevent anything from causing it further irritation or issues. If it's in an exposed area on your body, use a bandage to prevent anything from getting on it. If the skin irritation is on an unexposed part of the body, you should take baths and soak in the tub to be sure the area is clean.

2. Apply A Warm Compress

If you have swelling from the skin irritation, use a warm washcloth to reduce the swelling and to ease any pain you may be feeling. Use the warm washcloth a few times throughout the day. Use a new washcloth each time, just in case your skin irritation is actually an infection. This way you aren't spreading the infection around.

3. Use Vaseline

Apply a little bit of Vaseline to the affected area to keep it protected from outside elements and to ensure that moisture and friction don't cause it more harm. You can apply the Vaseline and apply a bandage to prevent it from getting onto clothing if need be.

4. Take An Over-The-Counter Pain Medication

If you have a lot of pain associated with skin irritation, take over-the-counter pain medication such as Ibuprofen to ease the pain. This can also help reduce swelling as well. In young children, be sure to consult your pediatrician before giving any medication to your child.

If you have minor skin irritation, use the tips above to help treat it, and heal the area. If your skin irritation is worsening, you notice redness and swelling, or it is beginning to ooze, it's time to get to the dermatologist for help. Your skin irritation may be infected, or it could be something more than a minor irritation, and prescribed medication may be required.

For more information about skin irritation, go to sites like https://eastcarolinadermatology.com.


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