The Different Of Dermatitis And Eczema

Do you know how to differentiate between dermatitis and eczema? Even though all eczema is dermatitis, but not all dermatitis is eczema. Dermatitis is a by and large term for itchy skin conditions, whereas eczema is a particular type of dermatitis. Eczema is also often known as atopic dermatitis, but most doctors prefer to call it eczema. When you study about dermatitis and eczema or have a discussion with your doctor about them, the terms will very often be used interchangeably, which sometimes it can cause a little confusion.

The Two Basic Kinds Of Dermatitis And Eczema

There are generally two basic kinds of dermatitis - eczema being one and seborrheic dermatitis (seborrhea) being the other. You may have known this condition better by its slang name "cradle cap". Seborrheic dermatitis and eczema they both produce patches of itchy, flaky and reddened skin, except cradle cap affects mainly just the scalp of usually just infants, even though it does pop up in adults from ages 30 - 60. For some reason, it seems to hit the men more than women. Nevertheless the cause is unknown.

General Symptoms

Though dermatitis and eczema are not of life-threatening skin conditions, yet they are incredibly annoying. You want to scratch it badly - but you know you shouldn't, seeing that will make the skin condition worse. As a result you scratch anyway and make it worse, meaning that you will end up feeling terribly itchy all over again.

The main symptoms they have are similar to seborrhea, usually with big red patches of persistently itchy and flaky skin. This on occasion can be secondary symptom of another condition. For instance, many women in pre-menopause or menopause get eczema whilst they've never suffered from any form of dermatitis or eczema before.

The Causes Of It

The exact causes of dermatitis and eczema are unknown till now. Nevertheless, there has been a correlation linking families who suffer from seasonal allergies or hay fever that much often also has eczema. In this case, these symptoms usually start on in infancy and lessen as an adult.

Dermatitis and eczema can come and go for years. An attack of such usually comes almost immediately after the patient has gone through a very stressful period in their lives. On the other hand, stress alone does not seem to be the cause of it, or else everyone would have it all of the time. Fortunately there are many anti-itch creams and lotions in your local pharmacy that you can try to help alleviate the maddening itch, but if you want long lasting help, you should go see your doctor.

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