Eczema or dermatitis means inflammation of the skin. Dermatitis in the skin results in dry, red, scaly patches that often itch. There are many types of eczema and the causes are diverse and include heredity, irritation, allergy, dryness and excessive sweat. The usual treatments for eczema include anti-inflammatory creams, moisturizers, avoidance of factors that make it worse and occasionally oral anti-histamines or anti-inflammatory medications. Some forms of eczema are chronic and can only be controlled as opposed to cured. Dermatitis is not contagious.

In the atopic form of dermatitis, often referred to as eczema, there is a genetic tendency of the skin to itch. The skin is sensitive to a wide range of things: dry air conditions, strong soaps, wool clothing, and fragrance.

Contact dermatitis is caused by something irritating (irritant contact dermatitis) the skin or a skin allergy (allergic contact dermatitis). Irritation can be caused by sweat, friction, soap getting caught under a ring, etc. Common allergens are nickel (present in most metals), hair dye, plants (poison ivy), preservatives, rubber or latex, and fragrance, etc.

Seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) is caused by a yeast commonly present on the scalp and face that overgrows and causes flaking and sometimes itching.

Some forms of eczema have no known cause. Dyshidrotic dermatitis (a type of hand dermatitis) was believed to be due to abnormal sweating but is not believed to be due to this.

There are many types of dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is an inherited form, often referred to as eczema that causes red itchy patches in children. Common locations for this rash are infants’ cheeks, inner elbows and back of knees in toddlers and hands in adults. In more severe forms it can involve much of the body.

Contact dermatitis means either an irritation or an allergic reaction to something that comes into contact with the body. Sometimes you can figure out what the problem is by the location or shape of the rash, as well as a history of recent new products, travel or pastimes.

Nummular dermatitis is usually caused by dry weather causing irritation of the skin that comes up in round or oval patches, commonly on the legs.

Asteototic dermatitis is similar to nummular dermatitis except that the spots don’t have a specific shape and there is cracking on the surface of the rash.

Dyshidrotic dermatitis occurs on the hands and/or feet and comes out as little blister and cracks along the sides of the fingers.

Atopic dermatitis looks like red, dry patches which aren’t necessarily well defined.

Contact dermatitis is often found in areas that are exposed to the allergen or irritant as patches of red scaling or blisters in the shape of the exposure. For instance, in poison ivy, there are often linear streaks of blisters that correspond to where the plant touched the body. In nickel dermatitis there may be a round patch of dermatitis on the wrist where the metal part of a watch has touched the skin or near the center of the waist where the metal snap from pants rubs on the abdomen.

In seborrheic dermatitis there is redness and flaking on the scalp, in the eyebrows and often at the sides of the nose.

In nummular dermatitis there are often round or coin shaped red scaly patches often on the legs.