Itchy and red hands

My son is 2 1/2 years old and a little more than a week ago he started scratching his hands in the morning, I took him to the doctor when I realized his hands had red spots with little tiny marks I thought it was scabis but the doctor said maybe a reaction to a new laundry detergent that I was using and he told me to give him benadryl, I wonder how long will it take to get better, because since we went to the doctor that was on friday nothing has changed, his little hands are still red and he scratches them all the time, it get worse in the mornings and at night, I also wanted to ask if I can put a cream that I found in my medicine cabinet ATOPICLAIR. Thank you.=)

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Most likely it looks like contact dermatitis to an allergen. Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can give the oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin that the doctor has prescribed.
For mild-moderate symptoms a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide). Also use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin. Please do not use any cream on your own in a child without consulting a pediatrician as it may cause potential side effects.

If still the symptoms do not improve then please get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep us posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.