dermatitis
noun
or dermatitises
Did you know?
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
Gerry Smith, Bloomberg, 27 May 2026
The urge to rub the eyes can also occur because the eyelids feel itchy, often from other conditions such as dermatitis, which is an inflammation of the eyelid skin.
—Neelam Patadia, The Conversation, 27 May 2026
Colloidal oatmeal is made from ground whole oats, which creates a powdery texture, to treat atopic dermatitis and psoriasis flares.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Health, 22 May 2026
For atopic dermatitis-prone skin, texture really matters.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dermatitis
Cite this Entry
“Dermatitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dermatitis. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dermatitis
noun
or dermatitises
Medical Definition
dermatitis
noun
called also dermitis
