Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Allergy is the most difficult thing to diagnose when it comes to skin conditions. The patient himself has to find out what he is allergic to by careful scrutiny and try to avoid it. Contact dermatitis is caused by a substance you re exposed to that irritates your skin or triggers an allergic reaction. The substance could be one of thousands of known allergens and irritants. Common irritants include: i. Solvents ii. Rubbing alcohol iii. Bleach and detergents iv. Shampoos, permanent wave solutions v. Airborne substances, such as sawdust or wool dust vi. Plants vii. Fertilizers and pesticides General prevention steps include the following: i. Avoid irritants and allergens. Try to identify and avoid substances that irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction. ii. Wash your skin. You might be able to remove most of the rash-causing substance if you wash your skin right away after coming into contact with it. Use a mild, fragrance-free soap and warm water. Rinse completely. Also wash any clothing or other items that may have come into contact with a plant allergen, such as poison ivy. iii. Wear protective clothing or gloves. Face masks, goggles, gloves and other protective items can shield you from irritating substances, including household cleansers. iv. Apply an iron-on patch to cover metal fasteners next to your skin. This can help you avoid a reaction to jean snaps, for example. v. Apply a barrier cream or gel. These products can provide a protective layer for your skin. For example, an over-the-counter skin cream containing bentoquatam (IvyBlock) may prevent or lessen your skin s reaction to poison ivy. vi. Use moisturizer. Regularly applying moisturizing lotions can help restore your skin s outermost layer and keep your skin supple. vii. Take care around pets. Allergens from plants, such as poison ivy, can cling to pets and then be spread to people. If home care steps don t ease your signs and symptoms, your doctor may prescribe medications. Examples include: i. Steroid creams or ointments. These topically applied creams or ointments help soothe the rash of contact dermatitis. A topical steroid may be applied one or two times a day for two to four weeks ii. Oral medications. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe oral Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, antihistamines to relieve itching or antibiotics to fight a bacterial infection. Keep faith on your doctor and ask your husband to do regular follow up with his doctor. Regards Dr Sanjay Kini