The effect of Picrorrhiza Rhizoma (PR) aqueous extracts were evaluated on 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis, type I allergic model. Contact dermatitis was induced by sensitization with dinitrophenyl-derivatized ovalbumin (DNP-OVA) and DNFB challenge as antigen. Three different concentrations of PR extracts (300,150 and 75mg/kg) were orally administered to DNP-OVA sensitization mice once a day for 7 days with reference materials; dexamethasone (15mg/kg, intraperitoneal treatment). End of 7 days oral administration of PR extracts or intraperitoneal treatment of dexamethasone, the changes on the edematous changes and scratching behavior were measured. Immediate after DNFB challenge on ear or paw of DNP-OVA sensitized mice, increases of ear and paw thicknesses and weights were detected with anterior ear skin (dermis to epidermis) thickness and paw scratching behavior increases. However, these DNFB-induced increases on ear and paw thicknesses, weights and scratching behaviors were decreased by treatment of all three different dosages of PR extracts and dexamethasone, respectively. In addition, the increases of anterior skin thicknesses were also dramatically inhibited by treatment of all three different dosages of PR extracts and dexamethasone at histopathological observations. The results obtained in this study suggest that oral treatment of PR extracts also has relatively favorable effects on allergic dermatitis.