Dermatitis is a blanket term literally meaning " inflammation of the skin". Symptoms of inflammation are itching, pain, redness, swelling, and the formation of small blisters or wheals (itchy, red circles with a white centre) on the skin. There are different types of dermatitis, and the disorder can have many causes and occur in many forms. Generally, dermatitis describes swollen reddened and itchy skin. Seborrheic dermatitis can also affect the skin on other parts of the body such as the face and chest, and the creases of the arms, legs and groin. The inflammation is caused by an allergy or irritation as a result of substances found in the workplace that come into direct contact with the skin. Dermatitis may be a brief reaction to a substance. The hands and feet are particularly vulnerable to chronic dermatitis, because the hands are in frequent contact with many foreign substances and the feet are in the warm, moist conditions created by socks and shoes that favor fungal growth. Dermatitis is a common condition that 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.

Your skin is constantly exposed to the elements making it susceptible to a variety of problems, including the common condition dermatitis. It is usually used to refer to eczema which is also known as Dermatitis eczema . Some types of dermatitis affect only specific parts of the body, whereas others can occur anywhere. However dermatitis is always the skin's way of reacting to severe dryness, scratching, a substance that is causing irritation, or an allergen. In all cases continuous scratching and rubbing may eventually lead to thickening and hardening of the skin. These diseases include asthma, hay fever, and atopic dermatitis. dermatitis most often affects infants and young children, but it can continue into adulthood or first show up later in life. Many children with atopic dermatitis enter into a permanent remission of the disease when they get older, although their skin often remains dry and easily irritated. This kind of dermatitis is caused by chemicals that are irritating (e.g., acids, bases, fat-dissolving solvents) to the skin and is localized to the area of contact. Another difference is that allergic dermatitis can occur in other places on the body that did not come in contact with the allergy-causing material.

Causes of Dermatitis

The common Causes of Dermatitis :

Contributing factors include genetics, concentration, duration of exposure, and presence of other skin diseases.

Most common agents are plants of the Toxicodendron genus (eg, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac).

A common, chronic skin condition that can affect the Dermatitis area as well as other locations on the body.

The inflammation causes the skin to become itchy and scaly.

The most common cause of dermatitis. The condition is usually caused by exposure to certain chemicals in combination with extreme heat or moisture, which can cause a breakdown of the skin.

An irritant produces direct local cytotoxic effect on the cells of the epidermis, with a subsequent inflammatory response in the dermis.

Exposure to environmental irritants can worsen symptoms, as can dryness of the skin, exposure to water, temperature changes and stress.

Dermatitis caused by a fungal infection in the Dermatitis area.

Symptoms of Dermatitis

Some Symptoms of Dermatitis :

Skin lesion or rash at the site of exposure

Atopic dermatitis

Skin redness or inflammation in the exposed area

Neurodermatitis

Localized swelling of the skin

Perioral dermatitis

Itching ( pruritus ) of the skin in exposed areas

Treatment of Dermatitis

Your doctor will recommend antibiotics such as flucloxacillin or erythromycin if infection is complicating or causing the dermatitis. The infection is most often with Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes .

Antihistamine tablets may help reduce the irritation, and are particularly useful at night

Systemic steroids , azathioprine , phototherapy , and other complicated treatments may also be used for severe cases.

Ultraviolet light treatments (UVA, UVB)

Protect your skin from dust, water, solvents, detergents, injury.

Apply an emollient liberally and often, particularly after bathing, and when itchy. Ask your doctor or dermatologist to recommend some to try; avoid perfumed products when possible.

Wear soft smooth cool clothes; wool is best avoided.

Hospitalizaton for treatment of severe dermatitis that is not responding to the above treatments.