3 imperatives to transform health care in America. You're invited to watch it live

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Dermatitis is a general term that describes an inflammation of the skin. There are different types of dermatitis, including seborrheic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Although the disorder can have many causes and occur in many forms, it usually involves swollen, reddened and itchy skin.

Dermatitis is a common condition that usually isn't life-threatening or contagious. But, it can make you feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. A combination of self-care steps and medications can help you treat dermatitis.

Symptoms
References
  1. Dermatitis. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/education-and-quality-care/medical-student-core-curriculum/dermatitis. Accessed Sept. 12, 2011.
  2. Definition of dermatitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic_disorders/dermatitis/definition_of_dermatitis.html?qt=&sc=&alt=. Accessed Sept. 12, 2011.
  3. Contact dermatitis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2012. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05611-3..00012-4--s24245&isbn=978-0-323-05611-3&sid=1204592870&uniqId=281421382-10#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05611-3..00012-4--s24245. Accessed Sept. 12, 2011.
  4. Eczema and hand dermatitis. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00012-2--s0490&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=1204598002&uniqId=281421382-11#4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00012-2--s0490. Accessed Sept. 10, 2011.
  5. Psoriasis and other papulosquamous diseases. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00017-1--s0855&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=1204603757&uniqId=281421382-12#4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00017-1--s0855. Accessed Sept. 10, 2011.
  6. Kachiu L, et al. Stasis dermatitis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2012. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05611-3..00028-8--sc0175&isbn=978-0-323-05611-3&sid=1204606152&uniqId=281421382-13#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05611-3..00028-8--sc0175. Accessed Sept. 10, 2011.
  7. Atopic dermatitis. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00014-6&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&uniqId=281421382-13#4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00014-6. Accessed Sept. 10, 2011.
  8. Acne, rosacea, and related disorders. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00016-X--s0835&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=1204609019&uniqId=281421382-14#4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00016-X--s0835. Accessed Sept. 12, 2011.
  9. Contact dermatitis. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/print.cfm?id=9&sub=23&cont=329. Accessed Sept. 12, 2011.
  10. Davis MD. Unusual patterns in contact dermatitis: Medicaments. Dermatology Clinics. 2009;27:289.
  11. Atopic dermatitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic_disorders/dermatitis/atopic_dermatitis.html. Accessed Sept. 12, 2011.
  12. Contact dermatitis and patch testing. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00016-X--s0835&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=1204609019&uniqId=281421382-14#4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00016-X--s0835. Accessed Sept. 12, 2011.
  13. Dermatitis. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 12, 2011.
  14. Lee J, et al. Complementary and alternative interventions in atopic dermatitis. Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America. 2010;30:411.
  15. Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 13, 2011.
DS00339 Dec. 8, 2011

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger