Dermatitis

Medical Skin Conditions

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a medical skin condition characterized by dry, reddish, itchy skin. The most common form of dermatitis involves contact with some type of skin irritant. Contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction that forms a rash limited to the area of exposure to the irritant. Substances that may irritate the skin and cause inflammation include chemicals such as chlorine, detergents and soaps. Plants such as poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac may also cause contact dermatitis. Another type of dermatitis is nummular dermatitis which is a geriatric medical condition of the skin exhibiting red, circular patches of scaly or encrusted skin, a common medical condition of old age especially for those living in dry climates. Atopic dermatitis is characterized by extreme persistent itchiness or eczema. Seborrheic dermatitis, also called cradle cap in young children is a dermatitis of the scalp common in babies and infants.