Dermatitis

Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin and includes any skin condition that causes irritation and redness. At Island Aesthetics & Dermatology in Coupeville, Washington, Shannon Tumblin, ARPN, Kristy Anderson, ARPN, and the highly experienced team can develop comprehensive dermatitis treatment plans to ease your symptoms. To schedule a dermatitis consultation, call the office or book one online today.

What is dermatitis?

Dermatitis means inflammation of the skin. It’s a general medical term that includes any skin condition that irritates or inflames the skin. 

The cause of the inflammation ranges from genetics to allergies to an overactive immune response. These conditions may cause various skin changes, such as a dry, itchy rash or red, blistered skin. The severity of dermatitis varies as much as the cause. 

What skin conditions are types of dermatitis?

Many skin conditions are a type of dermatitis. Some of the more common include:

Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, sometimes called eczema, causes a dry, itchy rash. It’s a chronic skin condition that comes and goes.

Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis causes skin inflammation when your skin touches an irritant or allergen such as a chemical or dye.

Diaper rash
A diaper rash is a type of dermatitis that causes a red, painful rash on a baby’s buttocks. 

Cradle cap
Cradle cap causes crusty or oily skin patches on a baby's scalp. 

Seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis causes dry, flaky skin on the scalp in adults.

When should I seek help for dermatitis?

You should seek help for your dermatitis at Island Aesthetics & Dermatology if it affects your ability to get a good night’s sleep, causes pain, or is a recurring problem. The dermatology experts can find the cause of your dermatitis and develop an effective plan to manage your skin condition.

Your provider at Island Aesthetics & Dermatology reviews your symptoms, frequency of outbreaks, and triggers. They also ask about medical history and family history and examine your skin. 

Though they can diagnose dermatitis after a visual examination, they may take a sample of your rash to confirm your diagnosis.

What are some of the treatment options for dermatitis?

Treatment options for dermatitis depend on the type. The Island Aesthetics & Dermatology team customizes your care, creating plans that ease your symptoms and reduce the frequency of flare-ups.

Some of the treatment options for dermatitis include:

• Avoiding the irritant or allergen
• Creating a bathing routine to reduce skin irritation
• Anti-itch creams
• Use of nonallergenic moisturizer
• Light therapy
• Wet wrap therapy
• Biologics
• Antihistamines
• Antibiotics

No single treatment works for all, and it may take some time to find the proper treatment, or combination of treatments, to keep your dermatitis under control.

For help with your dermatitis, call Island Aesthetics & Dermatology or schedule an appointment online today.