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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff
  • Infection. The open sores and fissures that can occur with dermatitis may become infected with bacteria, such as staphylococci, as well as viruses and fungi.
  • Cellulitis. If you notice red streaks on your skin, you may have cellulitis, a bacterial infection of tissues under the skin. Cellulitis appears as intensely inflamed skin that's swollen, red, tender and warm to the touch, with spreading, indistinct margins. Cellulitis that occurs in someone whose immune system is compromised is potentially life-threatening. See your doctor as soon as possible if you think you have cellulitis.

Scarring and changes in skin color are other potential complications from dermatitis.

Preparing for your appointment Causes
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

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