MAIN Health Rashes Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a blanket term which simply means simply an inflammation of the skin, or put more simply, a rash.

Similar to eczema, the common cause that links all the varied forms of dermatitis is that is usually deries from some sort of allergen, which means the rash is usually some sort of allergic reaction. In all, there are as many as nine different types of dermatitis, all with their own specific symptoms and causes.

Dermatitis causes

The causes of dermatitis vary widely. Generally, dermatitis is caused by either mental or physical stress, allergens, previous health conditions, genetic factors, environmental causes such as irritants, or some combination of these causes.

Dermatitis symptoms

Generally, the symptoms of dermatitis are itchy patches of skin which usually become swollen and red. and are usually area specific. For example, seborrheic dermatitis is a condition which affects the scalp and can often cause dandruff, while perioral dermatisis is a bumpy rash which affects the skin surrounding the mouth.

Dermatitis treatment

As such, dermatitis treatment also varies widely based. Often, it is simply a matter of finding the cause of the dermatitis and removing it, which will then cause the symptoms to disappear. For many forms of dermatitis, topical treatments are available which will help treat symptoms. For some forms of dermatitis such as perioral dermatitis, the treatment is usually more involved and can even involve prescribed antibiotics as well as steroid creams.

For all dermatitis types, scratching itchy areas should always be avoided to prevent aggravating the rash, which only slows down the healing process.

Preventing dermatitis once it has been treated is usually a matter of avoiding whatever caused the initial condition. Dry skin should also be avoided, and steps such as using milder soaps and moisturizers should be taken to prevent additional outbreaks.



More information about dermatitis around the Web:

Merck Manual - Dermatitis

Understanding Dermatitis -- the Basics

This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made by medical professionals.

also see -> Rash Picture Gallery

Eczema | Rosacea | Roseola