Skin conditions
Dermatitis (atopic, allergic, and contact)
An itchy rash has many possible causes, and the plan depends on which one you have. The pharmacists at Murray Shore Pharmacy in North York assess atopic, allergic, and contact dermatitis under Ontario's minor ailment program, and because this is a compounding pharmacy, prescribed creams can often be prepared on site in the strength and base that suits your skin.
Common signs
- Dry, itchy, red patches, classically in elbow creases and behind the knees
- A rash that traces the shape of something that touched it: a watchband, earring, or waistband
- Skin thickened and leathery from months of scratching
- Flares that follow new soaps, detergents, cosmetics, or plants
- Itch that gets worse at night
- A personal or family history of eczema, asthma, or hay fever
See a doctor instead if
- Weeping, crusting, or spreading redness with fever, which suggests infection
- Rash covering a large portion of the body
- Severe involvement of the face or eyelids
- Painful blistering, or a rash appearing after starting a new medication
- No response to appropriate treatment, which needs a dermatology referral
Any of these sound like you? Call 416-789-1800 and we will point you the right way — or reach Health811 (opens in a new tab) by calling 811.
How the assessment works
Working out which dermatitis you have is most of the job: the pharmacist examines the rash's location and shape, asks what your skin touches at home and at work, and reviews what you have already applied, since prior products sometimes cause the very reaction they were bought to fix. Where appropriate, a topical corticosteroid may be prescribed, and moisturizing and trigger-avoidance routines are set up alongside it. Photos of the flare at its worst genuinely help, so bring them if the rash has calmed by the time you visit.
Sources 1, 2Three ways to get started. Do it all from home, or come in.
Start online from your phone, call us, or walk in and ask for the pharmacist. No appointment is needed. When you start online, a pharmacist calls or messages you back to finish the assessment. Prefer email? Write to us.
Frequently asked questions
Plain answers from the pharmacy team. Tap a question to open it.
Can you assess my baby's eczema?
Yes. Bring your baby, their health card, and every product currently going on their skin, including bath products. Infant eczema plans lean heavily on bathing and moisturizing routines, and the pharmacist walks you through those in practical detail.
The rash always fades before I can get anywhere. What should I do?
Photograph it. Take pictures in good light when the flare is at its worst, including one close up and one showing where on the body it sits. Assessing a photographed flare plus your history works far better than assessing calm skin from memory.
How do I know it is eczema and not something contagious like ringworm?
You often cannot tell from itch alone, which is a reason to have it looked at. Shape is a clue: ringworm tends to form a defined ring with a clearer centre, while eczema is more diffuse and favours skin creases. The assessment makes this call before any treatment is suggested.
Can the pharmacist prescribe a steroid cream, or do I need my doctor for that?
For eligible dermatitis, a topical corticosteroid may be prescribed by the pharmacist where clinically appropriate, without a doctor's visit first. Severe or unresponsive cases are referred, and the assessment is what determines which side of that line you are on.
What does compounding add for someone with dermatitis?
When a prescriber orders it, we can prepare a cream in a specific strength or in a base free of a particular ingredient your skin reacts to. It matters most for people whose flare-ups are triggered by components of standard commercial products.
Is the eczema assessment covered by OHIP?
Yes. The assessment is billed to OHIP with a valid Ontario health card. Prescribed creams go through your drug plan or are paid out of pocket, and we quote the cost before filling.
Do I need an appointment?
No appointment needed; walk in to 3537 Bathurst Street or call 416-789-1800 to time your visit. Flares are easiest to assess while they are visible, so sooner beats later.
What should I bring as an adult with eczema?
Your Ontario health card, a list of medications, and every product touching your skin, including soaps, moisturizers, and any recent detergent changes. Ingredients are often part of the problem, so the actual containers beat memory.
Why is my skin worse in winter, and how do I prevent flare-ups?
Cold outdoor air and dry indoor heating strip moisture from skin, which is why many people flare in winter. Daily moisturizing, shorter lukewarm showers, and fragrance-free products are the backbone of prevention, and the assessment builds a routine around them.
What follow-up happens after treatment starts?
Eligible dermatitis should show clear improvement within a week or two of starting the plan. If it does not, or it spreads or shows signs of infection, contact us; the next step is a reassessment or a physician referral.
Can seniors be assessed for dry, itchy skin?
Yes. Skin gets drier with age and some medications make itching worse, so seniors are frequent visitors for this assessment. Bring your medication list; reviewing it is part of the visit.
Sources & further reading
Numbered references, linked from the sections above.
Your pharmacist is one call away.
416-789-1800 Call nowPrefer not to call? Email info@murrayshore.com or visit us at Bathurst & Baycrest.