Best Rash Cream

Itchy, red, bumpy rashes are not just uncomfortable they’re also annoyingly persistent. Though in many cases, rashes will clear on their own, most of us simply can’t resist the urge to scratch.

Though there are at home solutions such as applying fresh aloe or using an oatmeal paste, sometimes you just need something a bit stronger.

Here are five of the best rash creams, all of which can be easily found at your local drugstore.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream

No matter which side of the hydrocortisone debate you fall on, Aveeno has you covered with one anti-itch cream that contains it and one that does not. The addition of the 1 percent hydrocortisone tackles inflammation and speeds rash recovery time. Though it is a mild steroid, the minimal amount doesn’t require a prescription.  The lotion soothes rashes with both oatmeal and aloe, bridging the gap between home and store bought remedies.

Caladryl Lotion, Calamine Plus Itch Reliever

No one wants to be smeared with Caladryl’s pink formula until they reap its soothing benefits. Appropriate for bug bites, eczema, heat rashes, poison ivy and even sunburn, this zinc oxide formula is a mainstay in rash relief. Calamine lotion also works as a mild antiseptic which keeps skin clean and infection free. This product is a great low-cost item for stocking your medicine cabinet.

Melaleuca Renew Intensive Skin Therapy Lotion

If your rash is stemming from dry skin, this product is the perfect solution. Whether your skin is irritated from eczema, psoriasis, or dry weather, melaleuca oil moisturizes and nourishes your damaged skin. Other ingredients include tea tree oil which is a great product for healthy skin and even has antiseptic properties. This product is best suited for skin irritations requiring mild itch relief. However, using it over time could help reduce the frequency of rashes from dry skin.

Gold Bond Anti-Itch Cream

Another alternative to hydrocortisone is Gold Bond’s cream which harnesses the soothing powers of menthol. Though it may leave you smelling a little minty, this topical cream also contains pramoxine hydrochloride which relieves any pain associated with your rash. Smelling minty fresh is a small price to pay for itch and pain relief.

Benadryl Topical Itch Stopping Cream, Extra Strength

Benadryl is one of the most trusted names in itch and allergy relief. The cream is made with 2 percent diphenhydramine hydrochloride to help with pain relief and inflammation simultaneously. Perhaps the best thing about the cream is that it doesn’t contain any of the drowsiness you get with the capsule. Feel free to go about your day itch free and operating heavy machinery.

Like with any medical condition, if you find that your symptoms worsen after using any of these products, immediately discontinue use and contact your physician. You should also seek medical treatment if your rash is accompanied by such symptoms as fever or difficulty breathing.

Katie Campbell is writer and blogger who enjoys looking into the best of everything. After battling dry winter skin and eczema, she set on the quest to find the best rash cream.