Dermatitis

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Summary

Dermatitis is a general term for skin conditions characterised by dryness, itchiness, and inflammation.
Common types include eczema, contact dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis.
Treatments typically include corticosteroids and emollients.

Dermatitis: essential info
Causes and symptoms
What are my options?
FAQ

Reviewed on July 31, 2023. by

Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell

Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer

Registered with GPhC (No. 2241935)

Next review due on July 31, 2026

Last updated on July 30, 2023

Find the dermatitis treatment that’s best for you.

We’ve got a range of options, and our clinicians can help you find the one that’s best for your body and your budget.

Betnovate

Betamethasone valerate

In stock

Potent corticosteroid cream. Treats dermatitis symptoms and reduces inflammation.

Starting from £39.95

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Dermol

Liquid paraffin, Benzalkonium chloride, Isopropyl myristate, Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride

In stock

The 2-in-1 treatment for preventing infections and moisturising your skin.

Starting from £55.95

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Dermovate

Clobetasol propionate

In stock

Topical cream that reduces inflammation. Treats eczema, psoriasis and lichen planus.

Starting from £39.95

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Doublebase Gel

Liquid paraffin, Isopropyl myristate

In stock

An emollient that helps treat dry skin by restoring skin moisture.

Starting from £39.95

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Elocon

Mometasone furoate

In stock

Helps treat swelling and inflammation within two weeks.

Starting from £42.95

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Epaderm

Liquid paraffin, emulsifying wax

In stock

Instantly moisturises and hydrates dry skin.

Starting from £44.95

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Eumovate

Clobetasone butyrate

In stock

Steroid cream and ointment that reduce inflammation and itch, with few side effects.

Starting from £42.95

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Fifty:50

Liquid paraffin, Soft paraffin

In stock

Treat dry skin with only two ingredients. Helps lock in moisture and prevents water loss.

Starting from £34.95

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Hydrocortisone

In stock

Widely used corticosteroid for irritated skin. Available as a cream or an ointment.

Starting from £39.95

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Hydromol

Various emollient agents

In stock

Cream, Ointment, or Intensive: all giving you hydration and soothing relief for itchy skin.

Starting from £36.95

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Mometasone

Mometasone furoate

In stock

Potent steroid cream and ointment that reduces inflammation, redness and itching during flare-ups.

Starting from £42.95

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Viscopaste

Zinc oxide

In stock

10% Zinc oxide bandage - calms dry, itchy skin. Easy to use and comfortable to wear for up to 7 days.

Starting from £39.95

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Zipzoc

Zinc oxide

In stock

Stocking impregnated with 20% zinc oxide, which helps treat eczema symptoms.

Starting from £129.95

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What is dermatitis?

The term ‘dermatitis’ refers to several conditions involving the skin. It’s often used to cover a range of symptoms such as dryness, itchiness and inflammation, and is sometimes used interchangeably with ‘eczema’ to summarise the skin changes that people develop. It can also be used as an umbrella term for more specific conditions like photodermatitis, contact dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis.

There are several causes of dermatitis and they relate to specific conditions. Contact dermatitis, for example, is a form of eczema that is triggered when your skin comes into contact with a substance that aggravates it.^[1]

Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is the most common inflammatory skin disease and can be triggered by allergies such as rhinitis or food intolerances. It can also affect people with asthma.^[2] A healthcare professional can help you identify which skin condition you have, and help you find a suitable treatment to manage it.

Who gets dermatitis?

Dermatitis can affect anyone. There are a wide range of conditions involving irritated, dry, or inflamed skin, and they can usually present at any age. Skin conditions like eczema can begin during childhood, or start to affect you when you’re an adult.^[3]

Contact dermatitis can also affect people at any age, but might be more likely to occur if you handle irritants (like chemicals or beauty products) regularly.^[4]

Dermatological conditions can also vary in severity. People with eczema often experience flare-ups where their symptoms become worse, followed by periods of remission (where your skin recovers). The symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, which usually affects your scalp and face, can vary from person-to-person and have multiple causes.

How common is dermatitis?

Skin conditions involving dryness, soreness and irritation are very common. Eczema is a form of dermatitis that affects 1 in 10 adults in the UK at some point in their lives.^[5] However other forms of dermatitis might be less common. There isn’t a great deal of data to show exactly how common dermatitis is, overall.

Treated trusted sources:

nhs.uk. (2017). Contact dermatitis.
Kolb, L. and Ferrer-Bruker, S.J. (2023). Atopic Dermatitis. [online] PubMed.
National Eczema Association. (n.d.). What is Eczema?
NHS (2019). Contact dermatitis – Causes. [online] nhs.uk.
Eczema.org (2019). Information and advice. [online] National Eczema Society.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on July 31, 2023. Next review due on July 31, 2026.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

What causes dermatitis?

Dermatitis is a broad term for a number of skin conditions. Although symptoms overlap between these conditions (such as with eczema and contact dermatitis), they often have different causes.

Contact dermatitis is usually caused by an irritant you’re using like a soap or detergent. Sometimes, your skin reacts to chemicals in cosmetic products that you’re sensitive to.

Seborrheic dermatitis, which usually affects your scalp, can have a number of causes, making it difficult to determine. Stress, hormonal factors, and changes of season are all thought to contribute to the inflammatory response that causes it. Another factor involved in the condition is a yeast called Malassezia, which lives on skin. The exact role of this yeast and how it contributes to seborrheic dermatitis isn’t clear, but people who have the condition are known to produce more of it.

A clinician can explain more to you about the different causes of dermatitis, and give you more information about what might be causing yours.

What are the symptoms of dermatitis?

Dermatitis can affect people differently, but there are lots of symptoms that overlap between skin conditions involving inflammation and irritation.

Contact dermatitis can cause dryness, soreness and stinging that can sometimes lead to blisters. Allergic contact dermatitis can cause similar symptoms, but can cause itchiness and stinging. It mainly affects the hands, and sometimes can cause a delayed reaction.^[1]

Eczema causes patches of skin to be inflamed and sore, and often causes cracks to form on the skin’s surface. The symptoms you experience might align with more than one dermatitis condition, so a healthcare professional can help you identify the exact cause of your symptoms.

Can dermatitis lead to other problems?

Left untreated, dermatitis can cause skin problems that might be harder to manage than your initial symptoms. Eczema can cause cracks in your skin, and these broken areas might become infected as bacteria enter.

If irritants are making your dermatitis worse, then trying to identify them will help you avoid them and reduce your flare-ups. Things to look out for include specific foods that might be causing a reaction, materials you might be sensitive to, or environmental factors such as hay fever or changes in weather.

Skin inflammation, dryness and irritation can also have an impact on your mental well-being. These sorts of symptoms can make you feel stressed, but are often worsened by stress. Getting the right treatment and managing flare-ups can improve your self-confidence and put you in control of your condition.

Treated trusted sources:

nhs.uk. (2017). Contact dermatitis.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on July 31, 2023. Next review due on July 31, 2026.

How we source info.

What medications are there for dermatitis?

Finding the right treatment for your dermatitis might involve some trial-and-error. A consultation can help you choose a medication that seems like the right fit for you.

Topical corticosteroids like Hydrocortisone and Eumovate are often prescribed for dermatitis where itchiness and dry skin caused by inflammation are the main symptoms.

Emollients, such as Hydromol, work differently and instead form a protective barrier on the skin that hydrates it and prevents it from drying out further. Ointments work in a similar way, and can soothe the soreness created when cracks form on the skin.

Another way of managing skin irritation is using an impregnated stocking. These contain a medication that treats the affected area of skin, but can also prevent contact with irritants while protecting from overexposure to moisture.

Are dermatitis treatments available over the counter?

You can get skincare products over the counter that might help your dermatitis. Moisturisers are widely available and can create a protective barrier that stops your skin drying out further and becoming more irritated.

For soreness, antiseptic creams can soothe affected areas and help prevent infections developing. A pharmacist can give you more information about products they think will benefit your skin.

Itching caused by eczema and other dermatological conditions can sometimes be caused by allergies, so taking common antihistamines like loratadine and cetirizine might calm down the urges to scratch your skin. They’re often found in supermarkets as well as pharmacies.

Does dermatitis always need treatment?

Some skin conditions can improve over time, but whether or not you’ll need treatment to manage your symptoms largely depends on how you’re affected by them.

Eczema might only need to be treated during flare ups. For contact dermatitis, red and blistered skin might completely heal once you’ve established which irritant was causing your skin to react. For photodermatitis, a proper sunscreen routine along with protective clothing that blocks UV rays might mean you don’t need any other treatments to manage your condition.

How we source info.

FAQ: Dermatitis

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

How is dermatitis diagnosed?

Answer:

A clinician will want to ask you some questions about your symptoms, such as the severity and frequency of them, to determine the best treatment approach. They can usually diagnose dermatitis based on the information you’ve provided, but you’ll also be asked to provide some pictures to establish exactly what’s causing your symptoms.

Conditions such as eczema and contact dermatitis often have overlapping symptoms, such as dryness and inflammation. You might be referred for a skin biopsy, which can be arranged through your GP. It’s usually recommended if a clinician wants to rule out anything more serious.

Can you get side effects from dermatitis treatments?

Answer:

Some dermatitis products can cause side effects, but it will depend which one you’re using and which skin condition you’re managing. Whichever medication you use, you should always read the patient information leaflet included with it so you have a clear picture of any side effects you might get.

Conditions like contact dermatitis can make your skin very sensitive, so treatments like emollient lotions that cover your skin in a protective film can cause irritation and stinging after they’ve been applied. This is often just a sign that the medication is doing its job, and that your body is getting used to it.

Topical corticosteroids (in the form of ointments or creams) are commonly prescribed for dermatological conditions, and they too can create a stinging sensation. They can also cause increased hair growth and acne, but not everyone will be affected in this way.

A clinician can give you advice about any side effects you’re concerned about while using a dermatitis treatment.

Do dermatitis treatments work?

Answer:

Prescription treatments for dermatitis have been shown to be an effective way of managing it. The type of treatment you’re recommended will be tailored to your specific condition and the severity of your symptoms. Our clinicians will always suggest choices that are safe and suitable for you to use.

Corticosteroids are often used to manage inflammation. Different strengths are available, and they can be used for different lengths of time. They’re an effective way to keep on top of contact dermatitis,^[1] and are often prescribed to treat similar conditions.

Emollients, which are used to treat dry skin, have been shown to significantly improve moisturisation and are a recommended treatment for atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema).^[2]

Can dermatitis be prevented?

Answer:

Dermatitis might be preventable altogether, but it depends which condition you have. For contact dermatitis, you might see your symptoms improve and clear up completely if you’re able to identify what is irritating your skin.^[1] This could be a substance, such as a chemical, or an allergy that is causing an immune response.

Photodermatitis is a skin condition caused by sensitivity to UV rays, and often occurs as a result of sunlight exposure. This can be an inherent issue, but it is also caused by medications and exposure to certain plants. Wearing sunscreen and limiting the amount of time spent in the sun can help prevent flare-ups.

Knowing your triggers is a reliable way of keeping your dermatitis symptoms in check, but it can be helpful to find other ways to avoid worsening your condition. Using mild soaps and detergents can help you avoid irritating your skin, and so can moisturising regularly. You can get help from your GP, or from a healthcare expert about other things you can try that might benefit you.

Treated trusted sources:

nhs.uk. (2017). Contact dermatitis.
August, S., Granier, S., Mark Peter Tighe, Tbaily, L.W. and Henrik Ahlbom (2021). A Clinical Investigation of the Performance and Safety of Epaderm®, an Emollient Cream. [online] Volume 14, pp.909–920.

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