Dermatitiden

Dermatitiden, or dermatitis in plural, refers to inflammatory diseases of the skin characterized by redness, itching, and barrier disruption. The term is used in several European languages to refer to various inflammatory dermatoses that share clinical features but differ in etiology and course. The spectrum includes atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis (allergic and irritant), seborrheic dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, and less common forms such as dyshidrotic or stasis dermatitis.

Causes are heterogeneous and often involve a combination of genetic susceptibility, skin barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and environmental triggers. Irritants or allergens can provoke contact dermatitis, while genetic predisposition and immune dysregulation underlie atopic dermatitis. Fungal or bacterial infections can complicate or perpetuate dermatitis.

Typical symptoms include pruritus, redness, swelling, and vesicles or scales. Chronic dermatitis may lead to lichenification. Diagnosis is mainly clinical, based on history and examination; patch testing helps identify contact allergens. In uncertain cases, skin biopsy or swabs may exclude other conditions.

Management centers on removing triggers, maintaining skin moisture, and using topical therapies. Emollients are foundational; topical corticosteroids are commonly used to control inflammation, with calcineurin inhibitors as steroid-sparing options. If infection is present, appropriate antimicrobials are used. Severe or refractory cases may require phototherapy or systemic treatments, including immunomodulators or biologics (for example, dupilumab in atopic dermatitis).

Prognosis varies by type; many forms are chronic with remissions and relapses. Dermatitiden are among the most common inflammatory skin conditions worldwide; prevalence estimates differ by region and type, with atopic dermatitis affecting a substantial minority of children and adults.