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Rooted

Skin

Allergic contact dermatitis

3 plants

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Linear vesicles from poison ivy, nickel under a snap, or a new essential-oil fad: the treatment is removal plus steroid potency that matches the site. Colloidal oatmeal is comfort. Calendula soothes intact skin and is itself Asteraceae — patch-test mentally in ragweed atopics. Tea tree, balsam, and 'natural deodorant' are frequent offenders. Face and genitals need weaker steroid, not stronger tea tree.

Primary plants

  1. Oat (Avena sativa)
    1
    OatHuman data

    Avena sativa

    Colloidal oatmeal baths/creams: guideline-adjacent emollient comfort.

    Typical. Colloidal oatmeal as labeled.

    Safety. Sting on fissures. Some oat products are gluten-contaminated if they are eating the bath — usually irrelevant topically.

  2. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
    2
    CalendulaStrong traditional

    Calendula officinalis

    Soothing cream on intact or mildly broken skin. Asteraceae.

    Typical. Flower ointment, thin layer.

    Safety. Can worsen the dermatitis you are treating in an Asteraceae-allergic patient.

Supportive plants1
  • Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
    Witch hazelStrong traditional
    Hamamelis virginiana

    Astringent for weepy patches — drying, use sparingly.

    Typical. Distillate compress, not as the only moisturizer.

    Safety. Overuse dries and cracks.

Clinical notes

  • Neat tea tree, peppermint, cinnamon, and citrus oils are frequent contact allergens. Stop them.

When this is not enough

  • Airway involvement, widespread dermal edema of the face, secondary infection, occupational asthma from the same allergen

Rooted is a private clinical reference for licensed practitioners. It is educational, not a treatment protocol, and not a substitute for the chart, the exam, or pharmacy review. Plant medicines interact with drugs and can harm liver, kidney, heart, pregnancy, and children.

All skin diagnoses