English Reference

Word

dermatitis

Phoneticsder·mati·tis

US/ˌdɝməˈtaɪtɪs/

UK/dˌɜːmɐtˈaɪtɪs/

Definition

n. a skin condition that causes redness, itching, and sometimes a rash. It can be caused by things like dry weather, chemicals, or an allergic reaction.

n. an inflammatory condition of the skin characterized by redness, itching, and often a rash. It can be triggered by various factors including allergens, irritants, or environmental stressors.

Examples

“The doctor diagnosed her with contact dermatitis.”

“He developed severe dermatitis after working with the harsh chemicals in the factory without proper gloves.”

“While some cases of dermatitis respond well to topical corticosteroids, others require a more comprehensive approach to identify and eliminate the underlying allergen from the patient's environment.”

Examples

simple

“The doctor diagnosed her with contact dermatitis.”

contextual

“He developed severe dermatitis after working with the harsh chemicals in the factory without proper gloves.”

complex

“While some cases of dermatitis respond well to topical corticosteroids, others require a more comprehensive approach to identify and eliminate the underlying allergen from the patient's environment.”

Real-World Examples

“It’s also non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores, and it has a 5-star rating from the National Eczema Association, so it’s suitable for those with eczema and dermatitis.”
The Guardian · 29 Aug 2026
“One explanation is something called cercarial dermatitis, where avian parasites burrow into human skin and cause a reaction.”
The Guardian · 27 Aug 2026

Etymology

From Ancient Greek δερματῖτις (dermatîtis), from δέρμα (dérma, “skin, hide”), from δέρω (dérō, “to skin, flay”). Equivalent to dermato- + -itis.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference