contact dermatitis is a itchy rash caused by contact with some allergen. soap detergent perfume plant etc. eczema (atopic dermatitis) is genetically-dry skin. they can both be treated with topical steroids like you are using but it can take a while to get it under control. contact dermatitis will continue to bother a person as long as the unidentified allergen is around. eczema can last a lifetime.
what are the differences between contact dermatitis and eczema? . i have eczema all my life. behind knees elbows neck ears etc. i had a baby in november and my hands broke out in a rash that blisters pops spreads itches burns and bleeds. i went to a dermatologist and he said it was contact dermatitis. the ointment he prescribed (tac) did not work and only made the symptoms worse. hydrocortizone does not help either like it did so well with my eczema.