Dermatitis is a rather generic term that describes inflammation of the skin. Basically, if you have red and/or scaly skin, you have dermatitis.
Dermatitis Causes
A common type of dermatitis called atopic dermatitis has a major genetic component. Individuals with this condition and their family members have a greater incidence of atopic dermatitis, asthma and hay fever. Other factors such as environmental exposures and foods, as well as stress can trigger flares of this condition.
There is another major category of dermatitis called allergic/contact dermatitis in which a dermatitis develops as a reaction to a specific allergen or irritant in the environment, for example nickel allergy. The distinction is not completely clear, however, since a person's tendency to develop a rash to a specific environmental allergen is also attributable to genetics.
Dermatitis Treatment
Treatments will depend on a specific patient diagnosis. Atopic dermatitis is an extremely common, itchy skin condition that responds to corticosteroid creams. Physicians advise that if you are suffering from dermatitis, you should consult a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis before attempting any treatment.