Any skin disease is called dermatitis as the word derma is ‘skin’ in Greek. There are so many types of dermatitis that if one were to describe them in detail it would require an entire book or even several books to do so. Here the common dermatitis will be described so that one can distinguish them.

Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the skin reacts to something it gets in touch with. Like a woman wears a pair of nickel earrings and skin rash occurs, this can be small or large and a red rash which then may turn into water blisters and they may then break, form into crusts or scales. Allergic dermatitis must be immediately treated as the skin can become leathery and cracked. Allergic dermatitis is hard to tell from other skin rashes and the dermatologist will conduct a patch test if he or she suspects that the person has got allergic contact dermatitis. Some plants and metals can cause this rash to occur.

Cercarial dermatitis is more commonly called swimmers itch and occurs after one has taken a swim in a lake or in any slow moving body of water. The skin turns red and itchiness occurs. But this does not last very long and the skin returns to normal within a week. One can use a soothing lotion to ease the pain and stop swimming in the place where one has been going for a dip. Also stop others from swimming there.

Dermatitis herpetiformis is another skin disorder which usually occurs on the elbows, knees, back or any area of the skin that comes in contact with clothes. Dermatitis herpetiformis is usually associated with gluten which is in cereals. Doctors usually do a skin biopsy and may also get an intestinal biopsy done as well to confirm their diagnosis. An antibiotic is usually given and a gluten free diet is recommended.

Diaper dermatitis or better known as diaper rash and usually happens in infants when they are in the diaper stage and it occurs due to the area remaining wet with urine or feces. That is why it is important to keep the child dry and if the rash breaks out the best thing to do is to take the diaper off and let the skin dry out. Some mothers will use a baby oil to ease the rash.

Flea allergy dermatitis is a skin disorder that happens to pets both to cats and to dogs and it happens because the pet maybe bitten by a flea, as it is the flea’s saliva that causes this skin disorder in pets. A dog develops rash on their hind legs and on the back.

Lichenoid dermatitis is a rash that starts like most skin rashes as red in color and then the color changes to lilac or purple. It is the color of the rash that distinguishes lichenoid dermatitis from other skin disorders.

Nummular dermatitis is another skin disorder that may occur at any age but is found to occur most commonly in people who are past their sixties and coin shaped patches appear. They can affect any part of the body and one is more prone to it during the winter dry spells. Nummular dermatitis is neither contagious nor is it caused due to any allergy. Most people use a lotion, creams and oils to soothe the skin. It is advisable to consult a dermatologist on it.

Perioral dermatitis is a skin disorder that occurs because of over usage of steroid creams and sprays and is more common in women then in men or children. The rash occurs around the mouth area and is red and scaly, and the itching maybe slight. A dermatologist will diagnose it by examination and one has to stop using those heavy creams or whichever steroid usage caused the disorder.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin disorder that affects the scalp, face and the trunk and what causes it is still not known and the skin becomes red, flaky and itchy. Dermatologists give different medications and shampoos to people who are suffering from seborrheic dermatitis.

Another skin disorder is stasis dermatitis which occurs in the legs and the skin appears brown. The veins of the lower legs get thin and not enough blood id returned by them causing the capillaries to burst. A dermatologist will give the best medications for this skin order.

These are some of the common disorders that can happen to a person or to a pet.