Rash Home Remedies 101

A health-care provider can advise an individual regarding the suitability of these and other self-care measures for a particular condition. Some home remedies can make a rash worse by introducing additional allergens and irritants.

Eczema

  • Hydrocortisone cream
  • Use of soapless cleansers like Cetaphil or Dove
  • Emollients such as Crisco vegetable shortening and Vaseline
  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for itching

Fungal Infections

  • Ketoconazole shampoo to wash the affected areas
  • Clotrimazole cream or terbinafine spray twice a day
  • Benadryl for itching

Bacterial Infections

  • Dilute vinegar soaks to affected area: Mix 4 parts water and 1 part white vinegar.
  • Dilute Clorox bleach bath: ¼ cup Clorox regular bleach in one bathtub full of warm water for skin infections
  • Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) washes twice a day to affected area
  • Many people are as allergic to neomycin or bacitracin as they are to poison ivy. Their use in such people complicates the clinical picture by starting a second rash on top of the first. Topical diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can have the same effect in certain people.