Dawaa Reference

Clinical reference

Contact dermatitis (irritant or allergic)

Treatment options, dosing, cautions and Egyptian brands from the shipped Dawaa Reference card.

Evidence status

Checked against the sources named below

Sources6 sources

NICE CKS Contact Dermatitis 2021 · Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Endocrine System 2024 (betamethasone monograph) · Hydrocortisone 1% cream SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 13103) · Contact Dermatitis - disease-level clinical article (contact-dermatitis-clinical.txt) · Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Respiratory System 2026 (cetirizine monograph) · Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Endocrine System 2024 (prednisolone monograph)

Verified against5 documents
  • Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Endocrine System 2024 (betamethasone monograph)
  • Hydrocortisone 1% cream SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 13103)
  • Contact Dermatitis - disease-level clinical article (contact-dermatitis-clinical.txt)
  • Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Respiratory System 2026 (cetirizine monograph)
  • Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Endocrine System 2024 (prednisolone monograph)

Verified date2026-08

Presentation reference

Is it this?

Reference only, to read alongside your own examination.

Symptoms — what the patient reports (5)

  • Burning, stinging, or soreness are prominent early in irritant contact dermatitis
  • Itching (pruritus) is more prominent in the allergic form [itching]
  • In allergic contact dermatitis, lesions appear 24 to 72 hours after exposure and peak at 72 to 96 hours
  • Allergic contact dermatitis resolves more slowly but recurs within days of re-exposure
  • Irritant contact dermatitis peaks within minutes to a few hours of exposure, then begins healing

Signs — what you find (4)

  • Acute-phase findings include erythema, edema, oozing, crusting, and vesicles or pustules [blisters · crusting · oedema · pustules · redness · vesicles]
  • Subacute-phase skin shows crusting, scaling, and hyperpigmentation [crusting · pigmentation change · scaling]
  • Chronic-phase skin becomes lichenified
  • Hands are a common site for allergic contact dermatitis

Tests (3)

  • Patch testing is the gold-standard test to confirm allergic contact dermatitis and identify the trigger
  • Patch test results are read 48 to 72 hours after removal at 48 hours
  • A dimethylglyoxime spot test on jewelry turns pink with a positive nickel reaction

If not this — what else fits (6)

  • Asteatotic eczema is on the differential list
  • Contact urticaria syndrome is a differential consideration
  • Drug-induced photosensitivity is on the differential list
  • Perioral dermatitis is a differential to distinguish from contact dermatitis
  • Phytophotodermatitis is on the differential list
  • Tinea corporis should be distinguished from contact dermatitis

SourceStatPearls "Contact Dermatitis" - disease-level clinical article

Presentation findings are traced to the source above.

Rx: Main treatment | Systemic steroid - severe or widespread disease

MAIN TREATMENT - choose one, plus any add-on marked below

1

BETAMETHASONE

1st line

Formtopical

Adult dose and duration

Apply 0.1% cream/ointment thinly once or twice daily

Paediatric dose
Dose by age
Child >1 year:use hydrocortisone 1% cream for short courses
Dose source

Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Endocrine System 2024 (betamethasone monograph)

Why

Potent topical corticosteroid that suppresses the local inflammatory response driving contact dermatitis; used first-line on thicker skin away from the face and flexures, where a more potent steroid is needed to control inflammation.

Cautions
  • Identify and eliminate triggering contact allergen/irritant.
  • Apply emollients frequently as maintenance therapy.
  • The Egyptian formulary limits a course to 5 days when this is used on the face or in a child - 0.1% betamethasone is potent and the face thins fastest.
  • Rosacea, acne, perioral dermatitis, perianal and genital pruritus.
Egyptian brands
Egyptian brandManufacturerIndicative price
CRONOMESONE 0.1% CREAM 15 GMPHAROPHARMA4.00 EGP
CRONOMESONE 0.1% OINT. 15 GMPHAROPHARMA4.00 EGP
BETNOVATE 0.1% TOP. OINT. 15 GMSMITHKLINE BEECHAM > GLAXO SMITHKLINE6.90 EGP
BETADERM 0.1% CREAM 15 GMEIPICO18.00 EGP
BETAVAL 0.1% CREAM 20 GMARAB DRUG COMPANY (ADCO)20.00 EGP
BETADERM 0.1% CREAM 30 GMEIPICO23.00 EGP
BETAMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE 0.05% CREAM 20 GMAMRIYA11.50 EGP
BETAMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE 0.05% OINT. 20 GMAMRIYA11.50 EGP
2

REFERRAL & SAFETY-NETTING (NO DRUG THERAPY)

1st line
Dose source

Contact Dermatitis - disease-level clinical article (contact-dermatitis-clinical.txt)

Why

Carries the referral criteria and warning signs for this condition, which apply whichever treatment is chosen.

Cautions
  • RED FLAG - Contact urticaria (a form of contact dermatitis) can progress to anaphylaxis.
3

HYDROCORTISONE

2nd line

Formtopical

Adult dose and duration

To be applied sparingly to the affected skin two or three times daily after gently cleansing the area.

Paediatric dose

Adults and children: To be applied sparingly to the affected skin two or three times daily after gently cleansing the area. Courses of treatment in children should generally be limited to not more than seven to ten days.

Dose source

Hydrocortisone 1% cream SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 13103)

Why

Mild-potency topical corticosteroid preferred for facial, flexural, or other delicate skin where a potent steroid like betamethasone is contraindicated; it still works by suppressing local inflammation but with lower risk of skin thinning in these sensitive areas.

Cautions
  • Hydrocortisone is the preferred initial choice for facial, flexural, or delicate skin areas where potent steroids are contraindicated.
  • Hydrocortisone is a mild potency steroid, safe for facial or pediatric contact dermatitis.
  • Discontinue when inflammation resolves.
  • Avoid continuous application for >2 weeks.
  • Limit a course in a child to 7-10 days, and remember the face and scalp absorb far more than limb skin.
  • Hydrocortisone Cream is contra-indicated in patients with bacterial, viral or fungal infections of the skin. Urticaria, rosacea, ulcers and local infection are also contra-indications.
Egyptian brands
Egyptian brandManufacturerIndicative price
NOVACORTIN 1% CREAM 15 GMPHAROPHARMA4.75 EGP
NOVACORTIN 1% OINT. 15 GMPHAROPHARMA4.75 EGP
MICORT 1% CREAM 20 GMMISR12.50 EGP
HYDROCORTISONE 1% OINT. 20 GMMISR21.00 EGP
4

CETIRIZINE

add-on - not a substitute

Strength10 mg

Formoral.solid

Adult dose and duration

10 mg once daily - as-needed

Paediatric dose

Age restriction: minimum 24 months

(ENDF oral dosing by age band. The formulary's oral indications are allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria; the contact-dermatitis indication comes from the disease article.)

Dose by age
2 to under 6 years:2.5 mg once to twice daily
6 to under 12 years:5 mg twice daily, or 10 mg once daily based on severity
12 years and over:10 mg once daily
Dose source

Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Respiratory System 2026 (cetirizine monograph)

Why

The disease article adds an oral antihistamine to control pruritus alongside the topical steroid; the card carried topical treatment only.

Cautions
  • The ENDF oral indications are allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria - use for contact-dermatitis pruritus rests on the disease article, not on the formulary indication.
Egyptian brands
Egyptian brandManufacturerIndicative price
EPIRIZINE 10 MG 10 TABS.EIPICO15.50 EGP (1.55/unit)
CETRITIN 10MG 20 TAB.EL NILE.42.00 EGP (2.10/unit)
TOMAZINE 10MG 30 F.C. TABS.ALFACURE PHARMACEUTICALS63.00 EGP (2.10/unit)
CETRAK 10 MG 20 TABS.PHARCO68.00 EGP (3.40/unit)
HISTAZINE-1 10 MG 20 TABS.AMRIYA68.00 EGP (3.40/unit)
ZYRTEC 10 MG 20 TAB.GLAXO SMITHKLINE100.00 EGP (5.00/unit)
CETRICHEW 10MG 20 CHEWABLE F.C. TABS.AL ROWAD PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIAL CO.15.00 EGP
HISTA CHEW 10 MG 20 CHEWABLE TAB.ARAB CAPS > ADVOCURE15.00 EGP
LERGFREE 5MG/5ML SYRUP 120ML? strength differs? different route - not oral solidDEBEIKY9.00 EGP
EPIRIZINE 5MG/ML SYRUP 60 ML? strength differs? different route - not oral solidEIPICO19.00 EGP

SYSTEMIC STEROID - SEVERE OR WIDESPREAD DISEASE

5

PREDNISOLONE

Systemic steroid - severe or widespread disease

2nd line

Strength5 mg

Formoral.solid

Adult dose and duration

5 to 60 mg/day as a single daily dose or in 2 to 4 divided doses, tapered

Paediatric dose

The ENDF prednisolone monograph gives no paediatric figure for this indication, so none is stated here.

Dose source

Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Endocrine System 2024 (prednisolone monograph)

Why

The disease article reserves systemic steroid for severe contact dermatitis and requires a gradual taper to prevent rebound.

Cautions
  • Abrupt withdrawal is not recommended, particularly with doses of 40 mg or more or 3 weeks of treatment or more.
  • The dose should be gradually decreased to the lowest dose that maintains an adequate clinical response.
  • The ENDF gives a dose range across all systemic indications, not a contact-dermatitis regimen - the indication comes from the disease article.
Egyptian brands
Egyptian brandManufacturerIndicative price
HOSTACORTIN H 5MG 30 TAB.SANOFI12.00 EGP (0.40/unit)
PREDNISOLONE 5 MG 20 TABS.ARAB DRUG COMPANY (ADCO)24.00 EGP (1.20/unit)
PREDILONE 5MG 10 TAB. (25 STRIPS PACK)KAHIRA250.00 EGP (25.00/unit)
EPICOPRED 5 MG 30 ORODISPERSIBLE TABS.EIPICO69.00 EGP
PREDNISOLONE-EVA 5 MG 30 ORODISPERSIBLE TABS.EVA PHARMA79.50 EGP
DISPRELONE-OD 5 MG 30 ORODISPERSABLE TABS.ANDALOUS PHARMA84.00 EGP
SOLUPRED ORO 5 MG 30 ORODISPERSIBLE TABS.SANOFI WINTHROP > SANOFI84.00 EGP
ACETASEE 1% EYE DROPS (SUSP.) 5 ML? strength differs? different route - not oral solidRAMEDA7.50 EGP
PREDNIS 5MG/5ML SYRUP 100 ML? strength differs? different route - not oral solidPHAROPHARMA9.50 EGP

Prices are indicative (dataset snapshot 2026-06); verify with the pharmacy.