The commonest skin disorder, involving an allergic reaction in the skin; also known as eczema. It may be provoked by chemical and physical irritants (eg detergents, watch straps), or ingested food and drugs. There is a hereditary element, in that affected individuals often have a family history of dermatitis and other allergic disorders such as hay fever and asthma. The initial reaction in the skin is an increase in blood supply, which causes redness of the affected part (erythema). This is followed by blisters which rupture, giving rise to the ‘weeping’ phase of the disorder. Repair then takes place with the overgrowth of keratin, which causes thickening of the superficial layers of the skin, and which may become chronic.
Dermatitis is a blanket term literally meaning "inflammation of the skin".
Specific types of dermatitis
(ICD-10 codes are provided where available.)
(B65.3) cercarial dermatitis (L13.0) dermatitis herpetiformis (L20) atopic dermatitis (L21) seborrhoeic dermatitis (L23-L25) contact dermatitis (L23.7) urushiol-induced contact dermatitis (L30.0) nummular dermatitis (L30.1) dyshidrotic dermatitis
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