Winter rash

This is the first time i am braving the Canadian winter and i broke out into a rash around my legs, knees and hips due to the dry and cold weather. i found this was known as nummular dermatitis. it will be a couple of months more till i return home to india where the weather is more forgiving. i need a surefire otc med cream/oral treatment recommentation please.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it can be dermatitis skin, contact dermatitis or nummular eczema. Nummular eczema also presents as itchy, red, dry circular lesions. 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 take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps.

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).But they are available under prescription and should be taken only after consulting a dermatologist. Symptoms  can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin.

If the symptoms are severe then please get an evaluation done from a dermatologist.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.