What are eczema and dermatitis?
Dermatitis means irritated, inflamed skin. Atopic dermatitis, usually just called eczema, is a long-term condition that flares up and settles down. It often starts in childhood and runs in families with allergies or asthma.
Contact dermatitis is a rash caused by something that touched your skin: an irritant like soap, cleaning products or frequent hand washing, or an allergen like nickel, fragrance or poison ivy.
Listed in Ontario’s minor ailments program as: Dermatitis (atopic, eczema, allergic or contact).
Common symptoms
- Dry, itchy skin, often worse at night
- Red or darker patches, depending on your skin tone
- Rough, scaly or thickened skin
- In babies: patches on the cheeks, scalp, arms and legs
- With contact rashes: a rash in the shape of where something touched you
How a Kennedy pharmacist can help
Your pharmacist will look at the rash, ask how long you’ve had it and what might have set it off, and check what you’ve already tried.
They may prescribe a medicated cream or ointment, such as a corticosteroid of the right strength for the area, to bring down a flare. We’ll explain how much to use, how often, and for how long, because using it properly is safe and makes a real difference.
We’ll also help you build a daily skin routine: a good fragrance-free moisturizer, short lukewarm showers, gentle cleansers, and avoiding your triggers.
If we think you’d be better served by a doctor, we’ll tell you, and help you figure out where to go.
Medicines a pharmacist may consider
- Hydrocortisone cream or ointmenta mild corticosteroid, often used on the face and in children
- Desonide or prednicarbate (Dermatop)low-to-medium strength corticosteroids
- Betamethasone valerate (Betaderm) or triamcinolonemedium-strength corticosteroids for the body
- Crisaborole ointment (Eucrisa)a non-steroid eczema ointment
Your pharmacist chooses based on your symptoms, age, pregnancy, allergies and other medications, so not every option is right for everyone. Brand names are examples. We often use the generic version, which works the same and usually costs less.
What it costs
The assessment is free with a valid Ontario health card. It’s paid for by the province, just like a visit to your doctor.
If you’re prescribed something, the medicine is paid for like any other prescription: through your drug plan, the Ontario Drug Benefit (65+ and other eligible people), OHIP+ (under 25 without a private plan), or out of pocket.
Good to know: Prescription creams are covered by most drug plans, and often by ODB or OHIP+ if you’re eligible. Some plans cover moisturizers too when they’re prescribed. Ask us to check.
No Ontario health card? Text or call us first and we’ll tell you the fee before we start.
When to see a doctor instead
See your family doctor, a walk-in clinic or a nurse practitioner if:
- The skin is oozing, crusting, very painful or has yellow scabs (it may be infected)
- You have a fever or feel unwell with the rash
- The rash covers a large area, or is on the eyelids or genitals
- It isn’t better after 1 to 2 weeks of treatment
- Eczema is affecting your sleep or daily life most of the time
Call 911 or go to the ER if:
- Painful blisters spreading quickly, especially with fever. This can be a serious skin infection in people with eczema
Not sure? Call Health811 (dial 811) any time to speak with a registered nurse, free.