What is Dermatitis?

Dermatitis is a general term used for skin inflammation. Your skin starts looking dry, red, and swollen. The causes of the allergic condition depend on its type. It can be uncomfortable for some people, but it is not contagious.

Types of Dermatitis

There are different types of dermatitis that affect children and adults, such as:

Atopic dermatitis: Atopic dermatitis or eczema is an inherited skin condition that shows up during infancy. Major symptoms of eczema are dry and itchy skin.

Contact dermatitis: It happens when a particular substance touches your skin leading to irritation or an allergic reaction. The reaction can further develop into rashes that sting, burn, blister, or itch.

Seborrheic dermatitis: Also called a cradle cap in infants, it is a common type of dermatitis on the scalp. It may occur on the chest and face, but the main causes are red skin, scaly patches, and dandruff.

Dyshidrotic dermatitis: Mainly occurring in feet or hands, it is a type where the skin fails to protect itself from an allergic reaction. It turns dry, itchy, and develops small blisters.

Some other types of dermatitis include nummular dermatitis, stasis dermatitis, neurodermatitis, and dermatitis neglecta. Your doctor will help you with a detailed understanding of the type you get infected with.

Causes of dermatitis

Though the causes depend on the type of dermatitis, we have mentioned the most common ones below:

• Nickel
• Detergents
• Cosmetics
• Oak and poison ivy
• Dry skin
• Bacteria
• Hormonal changes
• Irritants
• Stress
• Environmental setting
• Fungus in the oil glands
• Poor circulation in the body
• Hereditary conditions of allergies, or asthma

Symptoms of dermatitis

When to see a doctor