Dermatitis

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Dermatitis is a congenital skin condition.

It is an inflammatory condition of the skin caused by outside agents. Contrast this with eczema, an endogenous disease in which outside agents do NOT play a primary role.

• Primary irritant dermatitis may occur in anyone who has sufficient contact with irritants such as acids, alkalis, solvents and (especially) detergents.
• Primary irritant dermatitis is the commonest cause of occupational dermatitis in hairdressers, nurses, cooks etc..
• In the case of allergic contact dermatitis skin changes resembling those of eczema develop as a delayed reaction to contact with a particular allergen, which may be present at low concentrations.
• In women one of the most common types of allergic contact dermatitis is nickel dermatitis due to the metal nickel used in jewellery, jeans studs etc.
• In men chromium dermatitis is relatively common.
• Treatment of dermatitis depends on removing the cause, which is not always possible.
• Dermititis herpetiformis is an uncommon very itchy rash with symmetrical blistering, especially on the knees, elbows, buttocks and shoulders. It is related to sensitivity to gluten.

See also skin conditions and disorders (all on one page). This may interest students of massage, reflexology, holistic treatments of various types, beauty therapies, and other health related courses.

Further information about skin includes the structure of skin (with diagram), an explanation of what dermatology means and includes and textbooks about dermatology.