Dermatitis

Types

Dermatitis treatment varies, depending on the cause. Below are treatment options available at Mayo Clinic for different types of dermatitis.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis results when the skin comes into contact with chemicals (for example, skin soap, cleaning products, rubber, metals, perfume, cosmetics or plants such as poison ivy). These chemicals can irritate the skin or cause an allergy. The affected skin becomes red, itchy and inflamed. In severe cases, blisters and weeping sores may form. Once the allergen or irritant is removed, treatment consists mainly of avoiding that substance. A doctor may recommend a topical corticosteroid or, in rare instances, wet dressings to relieve redness and itching.

Neurodermatitis

Since this type of dermatitis is caused by repeated scratching of the same area, treatment involves finding a way to stop the scratching. Sometimes the area is covered by a dressing that is difficult to remove and is left on for a week or longer. Hydrocortisone cream can help soothe the skin.

Asteatotic Dermatitis

In this type of dermatitis the skin becomes excessively dry. Treatment includes moisturizing the skin with appropriate lubricants.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis appears on the parts of the body with the highest concentration of sebaceous glands, which produce sebum, an oily substance that lubricates and softens the skin. Affected individuals may notice red, greasy scaling or flaking areas on the scalp, the sides of their nose, eyelids, the eyebrows, the ears or over the breastbone. Common treatments include topical corticosteroids, gentle shampoos, medicated shampoos and, occasionally, antifungal drugs. Medicated shampoos often contain tar, zinc, pyrithione, salicylic acid or ketoconazole as the active ingredient.

Stasis Dermatitis

Stasis dermatitis usually affects the skin of the lower legs. It is associated with conditions such as varicose veins and congestive heart failure that cause blood and fluids to pool in the lower legs and impair proper circulation. Stasis dermatitis may cause the skin around the ankles and over the shins to become discolored (red or brown), thick and itchy and sometimes to swell. Because stasis dermatitis is caused by blood and fluids pooling in the lower legs, the goal of treatment is to correct the problem causing fluid buildup. Treatments include elastic support hose (to help improve circulation of blood and other fluids), vein surgery and wet dressings.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a long-lasting condition that occurs most frequently in people with a family history of allergies such as dermatitis, hay fever and asthma. The affected skin is itchy and may be scaly, thickened and cracked. The color of the skin may be red to brownish-gray and/or whitish. People with atopic dermatitis have drier-than-normal skin and may have small wrinkles around the eyes or the elbow bends, backs of the knees, face, ankles, wrists, neck and upper chest. Some people report intense, almost unbearable itching that gets worse at night. Treatment can include applying hydrocortisone lotion as well as topical medications that affect the immune system. Wet dressings may be used if the skin has cracked open. An antihistamine may be recommended if itching is severe.