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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Image showing contact dermatitis on the wrist Contact dermatitis on the wrist
Image showing seborrheic dermatitis on the face Seborrheic dermatitis on the face
Image showing atopic dermatitis on the legs Atopic dermatitis

Each type of dermatitis has distinct signs and symptoms. Common signs and symptoms include:

  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Itching
  • Skin lesions

Types of dermatitis, include:

  • Contact dermatitis, a rash that results from either repeated contact with irritants or contact with allergy-producing substances, such as poison ivy
  • Neurodermatitis, a chronic itchy skin condition localized to certain areas of the skin
  • Seborrheic dermatitis, a common scalp and facial condition that often causes dandruff
  • Stasis dermatitis, a skin condition that's caused by a buildup of fluid under the skin of the legs
  • Atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as just eczema or atopic eczema, a chronic itchy rash that tends to come and go
  • Perioral dermatitis, a bumpy rash around the mouth

When to see a doctor
See your doctor if:

  • You're so uncomfortable that you're losing sleep or are distracted from your daily routines
  • Your skin becomes painful
  • You suspect your skin is infected
  • You've tried self-care steps without success
Causes Definition
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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