dermatitis

Everyday

(medicine) Dermatitis is a condition where the skin becomes red, itchy, sore or swollen, often because something irritates it or the body reacts to it. tree →

In the lessons

In health lessons and everyday life: contact dermatitis can come from soaps, plants or metals; eczema is a common type. It is not catching. Doctors treat it with creams and by avoiding the cause. Phrases: «contact dermatitis», «a flare-up of dermatitis».

Examples

• The new soap gave me dermatitis on my hands. tree →
• Dermatitis made her skin red and itchy. tree →
• The doctor gave him cream for his dermatitis. tree →
• Dermatitis is not catching, so you can still hold hands. tree →
• Some people get dermatitis from nickel in jewellery. tree →
• Eczema is a kind of dermatitis. tree →

Note

Uncountable. «-itis» means swelling or inflammation, as in tonsillitis and appendicitis. Myth: dermatitis is not caused by being dirty and you cannot catch it.