Online treatment for dermatitis, eczema & rashes
Get relief from itch, redness and flare-ups with an online visit. Consult a dermatologist (or GP) on Oladoctor, get a personalised care plan and — when appropriate — an e-prescription for topical therapy.
How online dermatitis care works
From booking to a personalised plan in one video visit.
Note: If you develop rapidly spreading redness, pus, high fever, severe pain, eye involvement or swelling of lips/face, seek urgent in-person care.
Choose a doctorDermatologists & GPs for dermatitis, eczema and rashes
Book a video consultation for atopic/contact dermatitis or unexplained rashes. Doctors on Oladoctor provide personalised plans and, when appropriate, e-prescriptions.
Dermatitis & eczema: symptoms, triggers and treatment guide
Evidence-based guide to dermatitis, eczema and rashes: symptoms and types, common causes and triggers, proven treatments (emollients, topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors), patch testing, safety and prevention.
Dermatitis, eczema or “rash”: what’s the difference?
- Atopic dermatitis: very itchy, dry patches in the bends of elbows/knees, on the neck or hands; relapsing course.
- Contact dermatitis: irritation or allergy to soaps, fragrances, nickel, hair dyes; appears where the skin touched the trigger.
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis: redness and fine scale on the scalp, eyebrows and sides of the nose (“dandruff” on the scalp).
- Nummular (discoid) eczema: coin-shaped itchy plaques on the limbs or trunk.
Clues that help tell them apart
Location, borders and scale matter: hand-dominant cracking in frequent washers points to irritant contact dermatitis; symmetric flexural itch favours atopic dermatitis; scaly redness of the scalp and eyebrows fits seborrhoeic dermatitis. Look-alikes include psoriasis, fungal infection (tinea), scabies and hives—good history and clear photos help a clinician sort these out.
How to prep for an online skin review
Take two photos per area: a sharp close-up (to show edges/scale) and a wider shot (to show location). Use natural light, no filters. Note when it started, any new products/jewellery/work exposures, and what you’ve already tried (emollients, steroid or calcineurin creams).
Further reading (authoritative, optional):
Everyday triggers & skin-care routine to reduce flares
Moisturise like medicine. Emollients rebuild the barrier and reduce itch. Apply generously 2–3× daily and within 3 minutes after bathing (“soak & seal”). Many adults do well with urea 5–10% or ceramide creams; lighter lotions suit humid weather, thicker ointments help very dry skin.
Bathing & clothing habits. Keep showers lukewarm and short; avoid hot water and vigorous towel-rubbing (pat dry). Skip alcohol-based toners and harsh exfoliants. Prefer cotton layers over wool; rinse new clothes before first wear.
When it’s allergy, not just dryness. If the pattern maps exactly to where a product or object touches (watch strap, earrings, hair dye, specific cosmetics) or flares persist despite good emollient care, allergic contact dermatitis is possible. Ask about patch testing to common allergens (nickel, fragrance mixes, preservatives); primary-care dermatology guidance in Europe uses patch tests to confirm and tailor avoidance. PCDS: Clinical guidance (contact dermatitis & patch testing)
Sleep & itch control. Keep nails short, cool the bedroom, and try a brief cool compress on hot plaques before moisturising. Non-sedating antihistamines help mainly if hives are present; for pure eczema itch, barrier repair plus anti-inflammatory treatment works best.
Treatment ladder: from emollients to prescription creams
Typical options your clinician may consider:
- Low potency (face/folds, short courses): hydrocortisone 1% cream; pimecrolimus 1% (Elidel®) or tacrolimus 0.03% (Protopic®) as steroid-sparing choices.
- Moderate potency (trunk/limbs, time-limited): hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1%, methylprednisolone aceponate 0.1% (Lexxema®), mometasone furoate 0.1% (Elocon®), betamethasone valerate 0.1% (e.g., Alergical®/Betnovate®).
- Very potent (short, focal bursts; not for face/folds): clobetasol propionate 0.05%.
- Steroid-sparing for delicate sites/maintenance: tacrolimus 0.1%/0.03% (Protopic®), pimecrolimus 1% (Elidel®).
How courses are typically structured
Short flare treatment (often 5–7 days for potent options) is followed by step-down—either lowering potency or reducing frequency—rather than stopping abruptly. Many patients do well with “proactive” twice-weekly use on relapse-prone spots (often with a calcineurin inhibitor) to cut the number of flares. Your clinician will tailor duration, potency and site rules to your age, skin type and country’s prescribing guidance.
Safety note, kept simple
Potent steroids are time-limited and site-specific; avoid long continuous use on face/folds. Calcineurin inhibitors can sting at first use but are safe for delicate areas and for longer maintenance. Your doctor decides what’s appropriate for you and your country’s rules.
Safe use of topical treatments (so you clear flares without side-effects)
Dose by the fingertip-unit (FTU) rule instead of guessing a “thin layer”: one adult FTU (from fingertip to the first crease) covers about two adult palm areas. Using FTUs helps you apply enough medicine to switch off inflammation without overusing the tube.
Treat flares for a limited time (often 5–7 days with stronger preparations), then step down—lower the potency or reduce frequency—rather than stopping abruptly. If the same spots relapse, a proactive plan (e.g., twice-weekly on those areas) can cut flare frequency.
Apply to clean, dry skin, keep skincare fragrance-free, and avoid occlusion (tight dressings/film) unless specifically advised. Don’t use potent steroids on eyelids or in deep skin folds. Leave a short gap if layering with emollients.
If there’s no improvement after 7–10 days, or you notice spreading redness, oozing or crusts, recheck the plan with a clinician—potency, duration, site or even the diagnosis may need adjusting (source: Ireland’s Health Service Executive dosing & FTU guide).
Sensitive sites: eyelids & hands — how care differs
Hands. Frequent washing and “wet work” (cleaning, catering, healthcare) break the barrier. Swap harsh soaps for soap-substitute cleansers, moisturise after every wash, and use nitrile gloves (with cotton liners if you sweat). Short, time-limited courses of the right-potency topical calm flares; if rashes trace the outline of rings or gloves, suspect contact allergy (rubber accelerators, fragrance, preservatives) and consider patch testing.
Patients love
Your guide to healthcare in Spain
Practical information about the healthcare system, doctors and medical services in Spain.
Dermatitis, eczema & rashes: frequently asked questions
Clear answers on symptoms and triggers, photo prep for online review, safe use of topical treatments, e-prescriptions (when appropriate), patch testing, and when in-person assessment is needed.
- Low potency: hydrocortisone 1% (face/folds, short courses).
- Moderate: hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1%, methylprednisolone aceponate 0.1% (e.g., Lexxema/Advantan), mometasone furoate 0.1%, betamethasone valerate 0.1% (e.g., Alergical/Betnovate).
- Very potent (short, focal): clobetasol propionate 0.05%.
- Steroid-sparing: tacrolimus (Protopic), pimecrolimus (Elidel).