dermatitis
noun
or dermatitises
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Dermatitis usually appears as a rash, and may cause itching, blisters, swelling, and often scabbing and scaling. It often marks an allergic reaction of some kind. Contact dermatitis is caused by something (often a chemical) touching the skin. Atopic dermatitis usually affects the insides of the elbows, the backs of the knees, and the face; generally resulting from an inherited sensitivity, it's often triggered by inhaling something. Eczema, psoriasis, and dandruff are all forms of dermatitis. Even in the worst cases, dermatitis isn't infectious and doesn't produce serious health consequences.
Examples of dermatitis in a Sentence
Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The commercials that run during post-season baseball are rife with talk of dermatitis, dehydration, and wheezing.
—Scott Simon, NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
One application of the thick cream, and the irritation and redness from my rash (which turned out to be perioral dermatitis) significantly improved.
—Erin Mayer, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
The service aims to treat common kids’ illnesses such as pink eye, lice, and certain skin issues, including eczema, bug bites, and contact dermatitis.
—Morgan Chittum,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dermatitis
Cite this Entry
“Dermatitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dermatitis. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dermatitis
noun
or dermatitises
Medical Definition
dermatitis
noun
called also dermitis
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