I'm also a sufferer of contact dermatitis. That's what doctors call the rash if they can't figure out what caused it---so much scratching obliterates the acutal rash. At one time, the doctor called it ezcema. Right now, she's not sure because she only sees the results of the itch and no rash.
I've gotten serious cases of it when one eye became swollen and half-shut. Whenever the rash goes to the face, get to the doctor for a shot of cortisone and a round of prednisone. I always put that off as long as possible because I don't like steroids.
Most of the time, I can't even tell what caused the rash because I'm so careful when I'm gardening.
Allergy shots weren't helpful enough to continue treatment.
The most satisfactory home treatment has to be two-fold: first to relieve the itching (a cortisone product) and second to dry the oozing (a calamine productor baking soda-water solution). I'm not sure in which category oatmeal baths fit.
Hope everyone is feeling better soon!
PS-By some strange coincidence, our dog is one of those itchy-scratchy guys, too. There's a thread about that going too.
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...ml#post2107910