dermatitis

noun

der·​ma·​ti·​tis ˌdər-mə-ˈtī-təs 

plural dermatitides ˌdər-mə-ˈti-tə-ˌdēz  or dermatitises

: inflammation of the skin

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Other common diagnoses included chemical burns, which made up about 14%; and skin or eye irritation, including dermatitis and conjunctivitis, at around 11%. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 May 2026

Inflammatory Skin Conditions Inflammatory skin conditions like eczema (atopic dermatitis) and psoriasis develop due to an overactive immune system. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 28 Apr. 2026

Poison oak and sumac There are other native plants in North Carolina that produce urushiol and cause allergic dermatitis. —Eva Flowe april 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026

Goldman Sachs is bullish on the stock largely due to Corvus' ongoing development of a non-steroidal oral drug called soquelitinib (CPI-818), which aims to treat atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dermatitis

• adenitis
• arteritis
• blepharitis
• cervicitis
• cholangitis
• choroiditis
• decubitus
• fasciitis
• gingivitis
• hepatitis
• iritis
• keratitis

Kids Definition

dermatitis

noun

der·​ma·​ti·​tis ˌdər-mə-ˈtīt-əs 

plural dermatitides -ˈtit-ə-ˌdēz  or dermatitises

: inflammation of the skin

Medical Definition

dermatitis

noun

der·​ma·​ti·​tis ˌdər-mə-ˈtīt-əs 

plural dermatitises or dermatitides -ˈtit-ə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of the skin

called also dermitis

dermatitic

-ˈtit-ik 

adjective