Overview

Dermatitis is a general term that describes an inflammation of the skin. Dermatitis can have many causes and occurs in many forms. It usually involves an itchy rash on swollen, reddened skin.

Skin affected by dermatitis may blister, ooze, develop a crust or flake off. Examples of dermatitis include atopic dermatitis (eczema), dandruff and rashes caused by contact with any of a number of substances, such as poison ivy, soaps and jewelry with nickel in it.

Dermatitis is a common condition that's not contagious, but it can make you feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. A combination of self-care steps and medications can help you treat dermatitis.

Dermatitis care at Mayo Clinic

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Symptoms

Each type of dermatitis may look a little different and tends to occur on different parts of your body. The most common types of dermatitis include:

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema). Usually beginning in infancy, this red, itchy rash most commonly occurs where the skin flexes — inside the elbows, behind the knees and the front of the neck. When scratched, the rash can leak fluid and crust over. People with atopic dermatitis may experience improvement and then flare-ups.
• Contact dermatitis. This rash occurs on areas of the body that have come into contact with substances that either irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction, such as poison ivy, soap and essential oils. The red rash may burn, sting or itch. Blisters may develop.
• Seborrheic dermatitis. This condition causes scaly patches, red skin and stubborn dandruff. It usually affects oily areas of the body, such as the face, upper chest and back. It can be a long-term condition with periods of remission and flare-ups. In infants, this disorder is known as cradle cap.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if:

• You're so uncomfortable that you are 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

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Causes

A number of health conditions, allergies, genetic factors and irritants can cause different types of dermatitis:

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema). This form of dermatitis is likely related to a mix of factors, including dry skin, a gene variation, an immune system dysfunction, bacteria on the skin and environmental conditions.
• Contact dermatitis. This condition results from direct contact with one of many irritants or allergens — such as poison ivy, jewelry containing nickel, cleaning products, perfumes, cosmetics, and even the preservatives in many creams and lotions.
• Seborrheic dermatitis. This condition may be caused by a yeast (fungus) that is in the oil secretion on the skin. People with seborrheic dermatitis may notice their condition tends to come and go depending on the season.

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Diagnosis

Your doctor may diagnose dermatitis after talking to you about your signs and symptoms and examining your skin. He or she may also suggest doing a skin biopsy or other tests to help rule out other skin conditions.

Patch testing

If your doctor thinks you have contact dermatitis, he or she might conduct patch testing on your skin. In this test, small amounts of various substances are applied to your skin under an adhesive covering.

During return visits over the next several days, your doctor examines your skin to see if you've had a reaction to any of the substances. This type of testing is best done at least two weeks after your dermatitis has cleared up. It's most useful for determining if you have specific contact allergies.

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Complications

Scratching the itchy rash associated with dermatitis can cause open sores, which may become infected. These skin infections can spread and may very rarely become life-threatening.

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Prevention

Avoiding dry skin may be one factor in helping you prevent dermatitis. These tips can help you minimize the drying effects of bathing on your skin:

• Take shorter baths or showers. Limit your baths and showers to 5 to 10 minutes. And use warm, rather than hot, water. Bath oil also may be helpful.
• Use nonsoap cleansers or gentle soaps. Choose fragrance-free nonsoap cleansers or mild soaps. Some soaps can dry your skin.
• Dry yourself carefully. After bathing, brush your skin rapidly with the palms of your hands, or gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel.
• Moisturize your skin. While your skin is still damp, seal in moisture with an oil or a cream. Try different products to find one that works for you. Ideally, the best one for you will be safe, effective, affordable and unscented.

Alternative medicine

Many alternative therapies, including those listed below, have helped some people manage their dermatitis. But evidence for their effectiveness isn't conclusive.

• Dietary supplements, such as vitamin D and probiotics, for atopic dermatitis
• Rice bran broth (applied to the skin) for atopic dermatitis
• Tea tree oil, either alone or added to your shampoo, for seborrheic dermatitis
• Fish oil supplements for seborrheic dermatitis
• Aloe vera for seborrheic dermatitis

If you're considering dietary supplements or other alternative therapies, talk with your doctor about their pros and cons.

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Lifestyle and home remedies

These steps can help you manage dermatitis:

• Use nonprescription anti-inflammation and anti-itch products. Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion can temporarily relieve inflammation and itching. Oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others), may be helpful if itching is severe. Diphenhydramine may cause drowsiness and slowing of the urinary stream.
• Apply cool, wet compresses. This helps soothe your skin.
• Take a comfortably warm bath. Sprinkle your bath water with uncooked oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal — a finely ground oatmeal that's made for the bathtub. Soak for 5 to 10 minutes, pat dry and apply moisturizer.
• Take a bleach bath. This may help people with severe atopic dermatitis by decreasing the bacteria on the skin. Add 1/2 cup (about 118 milliliters) of household bleach, not concentrated bleach, to a 40-gallon (about 151-liter) bathtub filled with warm water. Measures are for a U.S. standard-sized tub filled to the overflow drainage holes.
• Avoid rubbing and scratching. Cover the itchy area with a dressing if you can't keep from scratching it. Trim nails and wear gloves at night.
• Wear cotton clothing. Smooth-textured cotton clothing can help you avoid irritating the affected area.
• Choose mild laundry detergent. Because your clothes, sheets and towels touch your skin, choose mild, unscented laundry products.
• Moisturize your skin. Routinely using moisturizers can reduce the severity of atopic dermatitis. For mild forms of the condition, moisturizer may be the main form of treatment.
• Avoid irritants. For contact dermatitis especially, try to minimize contact with the substance that caused your rash.
• Use stress management techniques. Emotional stressors can cause some types of dermatitis to flare up. Techniques such as relaxation or biofeedback may help.

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Risk factors

A number of factors can increase your risk of developing certain types of dermatitis. Examples include:

• Age. Dermatitis can occur at any age, but atopic dermatitis (eczema) usually begins in infancy.
• Allergies and asthma. People who have a personal or family history of eczema, allergies, hay fever or asthma are more likely to develop atopic dermatitis.
• Occupation. Jobs that put you in contact with certain metals, solvents or cleaning supplies increase your risk of contact dermatitis. Being a health care worker is linked to hand eczema.
• Health conditions. You may be at increased risk of seborrheic dermatitis if you have one of a number of conditions, such as congestive heart failure, Parkinson's disease and HIV.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com