Dermatitis
Contact and atopic dermatitis (eczema) are inflammatory skin conditions managed per American Academy of Dermatology topical therapy guidance.
Symptoms
Itching, redness, dryness, and sometimes weeping or crusting in flexural areas (elbows, knees) for atopic dermatitis, or a localized rash where skin touched an irritant or allergen for contact dermatitis.
Causes and risk
Atopic dermatitis reflects a genetic skin-barrier tendency, often alongside asthma or allergies. Contact dermatitis is caused by either an irritant (detergents, frequent hand-washing) or a true allergen (nickel, fragrance, certain plants).
How it is evaluated
Diagnosis is clinical; patch testing can identify a specific allergen in persistent or unclear allergic contact dermatitis.
Treatment
Moisturizers are foundational for every severity level. Topical corticosteroids are first-line for flares, with potency matched to body site and age, and twice-weekly medium-potency maintenance can prevent recurrence. High-potency steroids should not be used for more than about 4 weeks continuously. Calcineurin inhibitors, crisaborole, and ruxolitinib are steroid-sparing options; non-responders may be referred for phototherapy or systemic therapy (dupilumab, tralokinumab, JAK inhibitors).
When to seek care
Honey-colored crusting suggests a secondary bacterial infection. Monomorphic, "punched-out" blisters with fever and swollen lymph nodes suggest eczema herpeticum, a dermatologic emergency requiring prompt antiviral treatment -- both need same-day evaluation rather than more topical steroid.