Eczema & Dermatitis

Eczema and dermatitis are common skin conditions that occur when inflammation causes a red, itchy rash. In some instances, inflammation develops because a person makes contact with a substance that triggers an allergic reaction or irritates the skin. Other forms of eczema and dermatitis, especially common in infants and children, may be due to genetic factors.

Dermatologists at NYU Langone have the experience to diagnose eczema and dermatitis during a physical examination. If findings and symptoms suggest that an allergen is the cause, your dermatologist may conduct a noninvasive allergy test. Our doctors pioneered the “patch test” technique in the United States in the 1930s, and it is still the preferred method of diagnosing allergic dermatitis today.

After a dermatologist makes a diagnosis of eczema or dermatitis, he or she creates an individualized treatment plan based on the severity of the symptoms, the location of the rash, and the age of the person being treated.