My Wife, Aged 45 Years Is An OCD Patient. Although

Posted on Mon, 27 Jan 2020

Question: My wife, aged 45 years is an OCD patient. Although she is not taking any medicines related to OCD now, she has the habit of washing hands frequently . Of late she has developed some rashes on both her hands (fingers and upper side of palm) due to excessive use of water, soaps and detergent. She is using Tenovate Ointment and there is some relief. But the problem is persisting. Could you please suggest some suitable medication - maybe something she can take orally along with some ointment/cream for application.

Thanks
XXXXXXX Roy

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Betamethasone cream will be helpful.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
Avoiding the stimulus that causes the dermatitis is the prime important thing.
Wearing gloves and frequent use of moisturiser will be helpful.
Oral drugs like over the counter available antihistamine like cetrezine for symptomatic relief.
Low potency topical steroid like betamethasone will be a good option.
Wishing all the best.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Shinas Hussain (1 hour later)

Dear Doctor,

Thanks for your answer.

Regarding the oral drug Cetrizine, since this causes sleepiness, is there any alternative drug with less of that symptom

regards,
XXXXXXX Roy

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You can try levocetrizine.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You can try newer antihistamine like levocetrizine which has got less chances for sleepiness.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D