Can I have more than one type of dermatitis at once?

Yes. Types often overlap, for example atopic and contact dermatitis on the hands. That’s why care can suddenly seem to stop working.

Guide · skin conditions

Dermatitis isn’t one condition, so the same care won’t help every type.

Name: Dermatitis isn’t one condition, and the same cream won’t help every type
Creator: Chicatella Editorial Team
Published: 2026-07-30

Contact dermatitis is named after what touches your skin. Perioral dermatitis after where it shows up. Nummular dermatitis after its shape. And dyshidrotic dermatitis after an explanation we now know is wrong. The names alone show why the word “dermatitis” isn’t a diagnosis yet, and why a product that helps one type can be exactly the wrong pick for another.

Dermatitis means inflamed or changed skin. It doesn’t necessarily tell you what caused the change.

Dermatitis on a child’s neck before and after – red, scratched rash, then calm skin

Reading time

≈ 18 min

Published

July 30, 2026

Medically reviewed

July 30, 2026

Author

Chicatella Editorial Team

Medically reviewed by

prim. Jasna Cuk Rupnik, MD

How we put this article together

We build our articles on clinical guidelines, systematic reviews and peer-reviewed research. Every medical claim links to its source, right in the text and in the list at the bottom of the page. This content is educational and doesn’t diagnose anything. Chicatella publishes this article and sells the cosmetic products shown below.

One word, many faces

All of this is called dermatitis

Different types, different body areas, different looks. Each sketch shows where on the body a type likes to appear and what it looks like up close. Swipe, drag or use the arrow keys.

Browse→

01 · Cheeks, skin folds, neck

Atopic dermatitis

Dry, rough, red skin that itches a lot and comes back in waves. In babies it’s on the cheeks, later in the creases of the elbows and knees, on the neck and wrists. It often runs in families with asthma or hay fever.

ITCHY · KEEPS COMING BACK · DRY SKIN

02 · Where something touches

Contact dermatitis

Redness with a sharp edge that follows the shape of whatever touched the skin: a watch strap, the cuff of a glove, a jeans button, an earring. There may be blisters and oozing. Cleaning products, nickel, fragrances and preservatives can set it off, even after years of use.

SHARP EDGE · SHAPE OF AN OBJECT

03 · Scalp, eyebrows, folds beside the nose

Seborrheic dermatitis

Yellowish, greasy scales on red skin. Cradle cap in babies, dandruff that won’t wash out in adults. Worse in winter and under stress, and it usually itches only a little.

GREASY SCALES · MILD ITCH

04 · Around the mouth and nose

Perioral dermatitis

Tiny red bumps, sometimes with white tips, around the mouth and the sides of the nose. A narrow strip of skin right next to the lips stays clear. It often follows steroid creams on the face and is most common in women between 20 and 45.

BUMPS · LIPS STAY CLEAR

05 · Shins, forearms, torso

Nummular eczema

Round or oval patches the size of a coin, often oozing or crusted. They itch a lot. More common in adults with dry skin, especially in winter. A doctor can tell it apart from a fungal infection.

COINS · WINTER

06 · Sides of fingers, palms, soles

Dyshidrotic eczema

Tiny, deep blisters that look like tapioca pearls and itch a lot. After a few days they dry out and the skin peels. Sweating, stress, water and cleaning products can set it off.

BLISTERS · PEELING

07 · Lower third of the shins

Stasis dermatitis

Brownish-red, swollen, scaly skin above the ankles, often near varicose veins. It itches or burns. Seen in older people and anyone whose legs tend to swell. Skin care doesn’t replace treating the veins.

SWELLING · VARICOSE VEINS

08 · Palms, fingers, backs of the hands

Hand eczema

Dry, cracked palms and fingers; the cracks can bleed. Often a mix of several types at once. Common in anyone who washes their hands a lot or works with water, cleaning products and gloves.

CRACKS · WATER AND CLEANERS

09 · Cheeks, cradle cap, diaper area

In babies

Red, rough cheeks and chin. Yellowish scales on the scalp. Reddened skin under the diaper, while the deep folds stay clear. Most types calm down as the baby grows.

CHEEKS · CRADLE CAP · DIAPER

The sketches are simplified and aren’t a tool for diagnosing yourself. Different conditions can look almost the same. A doctor confirms the type.

The basics, if you need them

Quick answers first

If you just want a fast answer, you’ll find it here. Further down we get into what actually sets the types apart.

What does dermatitis mean?

It means inflamed or changed skin. It’s an umbrella term for several different conditions, not one disease. The word alone doesn’t say what caused the change, just like “stomach ache” doesn’t tell you the cause.

Is dermatitis the same as eczema?

In everyday use the two words overlap a lot, and doctors use them in similar ways. In the US, “eczema” is the word most people use, and it usually means a group of itchy, inflamed skin reactions. There’s no hard line between the two words. The more useful question is always which type of dermatitis or eczema you’re dealing with.AAD↗︎

Is dermatitis contagious?

Dermatitis itself isn’t contagious. But some conditions that look like dermatitis are, fungal skin infections for example. That’s one reason looks alone aren’t enough.

What are the most common types?

Atopic dermatitis, irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis. Less common but important: perioral, nummular, dyshidrotic, stasis dermatitis and dermatitis herpetiformis. You’ll find them all in the comparison table below.

Why can different conditions look alike?

Because skin has only a few ways of showing inflammation: redness, flaking, blisters, thickening. Different causes end up looking similar. Even a microscope often shows the same reaction pattern, not the cause.DermNet↗︎

How does a doctor figure out which type it is?

From a mix of clues: where the rash is, what it looks like, when it started, what touched the skin, how it changes over time and how it responds to treatment. If needed, they add patch testing, a skin scraping, a swab or a biopsy.

Can I have more than one type at once?

Yes, and it’s not rare. Atopic and contact dermatitis often overlap on the hands. That’s exactly why care that used to work can suddenly stop working.

Can dermatitis be cured?

It depends on the type. Contact dermatitis can clear up once the cause is removed. Atopic dermatitis is a long-term condition that can be managed well, but not reliably cured. Dermatitis herpetiformis needs celiac disease to be addressed. That’s why the type matters more than which cream you pick.

When should I see a doctor?

If it spreads fast, hurts, comes with a fever or signs of infection, affects the area around the eyes, or if one leg suddenly gets swollen and painful. You’ll find all the warning signs further down the page.

How the names work

How all the types of dermatitis are named

A list of dermatitis types looks like a list of related diseases. In reality, the names come from four completely different logics. Click each one to see what the name tells you, and what it doesn’t.

01 · BY CAUSE OR MECHANISM

These names are the most useful because they tell you what’s going on. Atopic dermatitis points to a tendency toward atopy (allergy-type conditions). Contact dermatitis points to something that touched the skin. Stasis dermatitis points to blood pooling in the leg veins.

When the name tells you the mechanism, the next step is fairly clear: remove the substance, treat the veins, calm the inflammation.

Some names tell you the cause. Others only tell you the place or the shape. That’s why a list of dermatitis types isn’t a list of conditions that all start the same way.

From skin to cells

What the eye sees and what the microscope sees

Click through four steps: from what you see in the mirror, to what a pathologist sees under the microscope, to what all of that still leaves open.

With the naked eye we see redness, scales and scratch marks. That’s all a photo can show, and that’s exactly why a photo alone isn’t enough.

Even a biopsy can sometimes tell you how the skin is reacting... but not yet why.

Getting your bearings

A rash has four coordinates

This tool doesn’t diagnose. It shows the four pieces of information a doctor really needs, and which ones are worth getting ready before your appointment.

01 · LOCATION

scalp, eyebrows, sides of the nose
around the mouth, nose or eyes
palms, fingers and wrists
shins and ankles
elbows, knees and buttocks
skin folds
only where a product touched the skin

Comparing the types

Which type sounds most like your skin

Each type has its own article with detailed care tips. Here’s a quick overview of all of them and our articles, so you can find the right path faster.

Type	What usually sets it apart	Where it often shows up	Good to know	Full article
Atopic	Long-term, recurring inflammation with intense itching; often runs in families along with asthma or hay fever.	Creases of the elbows and knees, the face in babies, the hands in adults.	The skin barrier, the immune system, itch and the microbiome all work together. Regular care helps the calm stretches last longer.	Atopic dermatitis →
Irritant contact	Caused by direct irritation. How often and how long the skin is exposed matters more than allergy.	Hands and palms, wherever the skin gets wet a lot.	More common than the allergic type. Protecting your hands and less wet work help more than a stronger cream.	Contact dermatitis →
Allergic contact	An immune reaction to a specific substance: nickel, fragrances, preservatives, ingredients in gloves.	Exactly where the contact happened, so the pattern often tells a story.	An allergy can develop even after years of using the same product. Patch testing confirms it.ESCD 2026↗︎	Contact dermatitis →
Seborrheic	Greasy, yellowish scales where the skin has more oil glands; skin oil, yeast and the skin’s own response all play a part.	Scalp, eyebrows, beside the nose, behind the ears, chest.	The approach is different from atopic dermatitis. An antifungal side matters too.Exp Dermatol↗︎	Seborrheic dermatitis →
Perioral	Tiny bumps and pus-filled spots around the mouth, nose or eyes. Not classic eczema.	Around the mouth, nostrils and eyes.	Heavy, occlusive products and steroid creams on the face can make it worse. Simplifying your routine often helps.DermNet↗︎	Perioral dermatitis →
Nummular	Round, coin-like patches, often on very dry skin.	Forearms, shins, torso.	A round patch isn’t necessarily nummular eczema. A fungal infection can look just like it.AAD↗︎	Nummular eczema →
Dyshidrotic	Deep, itchy blisters that look like tapioca pearls.	Palms, sides of the fingers, soles.	It isn’t a sweat gland disease, even though the name suggests it. Sweating can be a trigger.AAD↗︎	Dyshidrotic eczema →
Stasis	The cause isn’t in the skin but in the veins: chronic venous insufficiency (the leg veins struggle to move blood back up).	Shins and ankles, often with swelling.	Skin care alone isn’t enough unless the veins are treated. One leg that suddenly turns red, warm and painful needs a quick checkup.Dermatitis↗︎	Stasis dermatitis →
Herpetiformis	An autoimmune condition linked to celiac disease; clusters of very itchy blisters.	Elbows, knees, buttocks, back.	It isn’t caused by herpes. Treatment means addressing celiac disease, not cosmetic care.JEADV↗︎	Dermatitis herpetiformis →

How it changes over time

The same dermatitis, three different pictures

Skin inflammation changes over time. That’s why two photos of the same person with the same “dermatitis” can look like two different conditions.

Acute

The skin is swollen and hot, the color changes, and tiny blisters appear that may ooze.

Subacute

The oozing settles, leaving scales and crusts. The skin is still sensitive.

Chronic

After a long time of scratching, the skin thickens, the skin lines get deeper and cracks appear.

Not every type goes through all three stages.

On darker skin tones, inflammation isn’t always bright red. It can look purple, brown or gray.

Once things calm down, lighter or darker patches can stay for a while. That’s not a scar.

The diagnostic path

How a doctor looks for the cause

There’s no single test that solves everything. It’s a sequence where each step rules out a few options.

Talking it through and the timeline

When it started, how it’s been going, what helped.

Where the changes are

Symmetry and location often say the most.

Products, medications, job

A look at everything that regularly touches the skin.

Patch testing

When a contact allergy is suspected.ESCD↗︎

Skin scraping

When a fungal infection is suspected.

Swab

When a bacterial infection is suspected.

Biopsy

For unusual or stubborn changes.

Immunofluorescence

When an autoimmune blistering disease is suspected.

Blood tests

When the suspected cause calls for them.

A patch test and a prick test aren’t the same thing

PATCH TEST · DAYS

Patches with test substances stay on your back for several days. We’re looking for a delayed reaction. This is the test for contact allergy.

PRICK TEST · MINUTES

A drop of allergen is pricked into the skin and the result is read within minutes. We’re looking for an immediate reaction, like with pollen or food.

Commercial allergy panels that promise to explain every rash can’t do that. The choice of test comes from the suspicion, not the other way around.

Where research is heading

From how skin looks to what’s really going on inside it

Today, doctors identify the type of dermatitis by its look, location and course. Researchers are working on a way to read directly from the skin which kind of inflammation is driving it, with no cutting and no stitches.

A gentle adhesive tape is pressed onto the skin for a few seconds. When it’s lifted, it takes only the very top layer of cells with it. In the lab, proteins and RNA from this sample show the type of inflammation. A 2025 study used it to find stronger type 2 inflammation in hand eczema in people with atopic dermatitis.Allergy 2025↗︎

Why this matters: eczemas that look alike can have different kinds of inflammation, and newer medications target one specific kind. A test like this could shorten the road to the right treatment.Acta DV 2026↗︎Clin Transl Allergy↗︎

An illustration of a research method. Chicatella doesn’t perform or offer this service.

WHERE WE ARE TODAY

Not a routine test yet

It’s used in research and in a few specialized centers. For now, you can’t order it through your own doctor.

COST AND ACCESS

Expensive and hard to get

The sample needs lab analysis of RNA. It isn’t something done at home or ordered by mail, so take offers like that with a grain of salt.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW

A good diagnosis the classic way

Photos of how it changes, a list of your products and medications, and a visit to the doctor tell the most today. Molecular tests will add to that, not replace it.

The future of dermatology isn’t only about how a rash looks, but about which biological process is active inside it.

Treatment

Treatment is getting more and more specific

This isn’t a list of creams. It’s an overview of how differently the various types are treated today, and one more reason the diagnosis comes first. Treatment decisions are made by your doctor.

Atopic dermatitis

Along with skin care and anti-inflammatory creams, targeted biologic medicines and JAK inhibitors are available for more severe cases.

Chronic hand eczema

In 2024 the EU approved delgocitinib for certain adults with moderate to severe chronic hand eczema.EMA↗︎

Seborrheic dermatitis

Different anti-inflammatory and antifungal approaches are used, and newer topical forms are being studied too.Phase 3↗︎

Contact dermatitis

The key is removing the cause. Without that, even a very good cream only softens the effects.

Stasis dermatitis

The venous insufficiency has to be treated. Skin care goes along with it, it isn’t the solution.

Dermatitis herpetiformis

Celiac disease and the autoimmune process need to be treated, not handled with cosmetic care.

When to see a doctor

Signs not to wait on

Fast spreading or a sudden, sharp turn for the worse.

Pain, fever or feeling generally unwell.

Pus, honey-colored crusts, a lot of warmth or swelling.

Lots of blisters, open sores, or changes inside the mouth, eyes or genitals.

Changes around the eyes.

One leg that’s suddenly swollen, red and painful.

A rash that spreads or changes while you’re being treated.

Changes that keep coming back without a clear diagnosis.

A suspicion of dermatitis herpetiformis.

Sleep, work or daily life seriously disrupted.

If your “dermatitis” doesn’t respond as expected despite sensible care and prescribed treatment, sometimes the problem is the diagnosis, not that you need a stronger cosmetic product.

Chicatella care · for dermatitis

Your doctor makes the diagnosis. Comfort for your skin can start tonight.

Here’s what you can do yourself, starting today: wash your skin gently, give back oils and moisture, and cover cracked areas with a protective layer so they can settle. That’s exactly what these products do. Nothing more, nothing less.

✓free shipping on 2 or more ✓23,400 people have already chosen Chicatella ✓microbiome-friendly care

First aid · start here

CRACKED, STINGING, IRRITATED SPOTS · HANDS, ELBOWS, SKIN FOLDS

SOS Ointment

Protective film for the skin barrier · 50 ml / 1.7 fl oz

When skin cracks and stings, it doesn’t need another cream that evaporates. It needs a protective layer that covers it, locks in moisture and gives it some peace.

✓a rich protective film slows water loss, the most tangible help for cracked skin

$29

Discover SOS Ointment →

Cleanses without drying

SOS Body Wash

250 ml / 8.5 fl oz

Every wash takes away some of the skin’s protective oils. This one gets you clean, and your skin doesn’t feel tight after the shower.

✓the first step of every routine

✓for the whole body, every day

$25

Discover →

Larger areas · every day

Body Lotion

200 ml / 6.8 fl oz

For your back, legs and arms, where the skin is dry all over. It sinks in fast, so you’ll actually use it.

✓light texture, absorbs quickly

✓apply after a shower, on damp skin

$29

Discover →

Night · deep care

Night Repair Cream

50 ml / 1.7 fl oz

Skin loses the most water at night. This rich cream feeds it lipids overnight, so it feels softer in the morning.

✓for the driest spots

✓in the evening, after washing

$29

Discover →

Day · face and body

Daily Moisturizer

50 ml / 1.7 fl oz

Light moisture without the shine. For your face in the morning, your hands during the day, and after shaving too.

✓absorbs quickly

✓face, neck, hands

$29

Discover →

An itchy scalp

SOS Shampoo

250 ml / 8.5 fl oz

A gentle wash for a dry or itchy scalp. It isn’t an antifungal medicine.

✓gentle cleansing for hair and scalp

✓a comfortable feel after washing

$25

Discover →

More on using it for eczema-prone skin: eczema cream.

Product claims are cosmetic and kept separate from the medical information on this page, in line with EU Regulations 1223/2009 and 655/2013. Chicatella doesn’t treat or diagnose any condition.

Customer experiences

What our customers sent us

These photos show individual experiences of customers after using Chicatella cosmetic products. The improvement shown doesn’t mean the product treats dermatitis or any other skin condition. Cosmetic care isn’t medicine, and results vary from person to person.

Browse→

Dermatitis pictures – red rash on the buttocks of an adult, before and after

Dermatitis in a baby before and after – red patch on the shoulder and chest

Eczema rash on both forearms before and after – dry, red skin next to a jar of SOS Ointment

Dermatitis on a child’s face before and after – scratched cheek and jaw

Dermatitis around a baby’s mouth before and after – red patches on the chin and cheeks

Dermatitis on the hands before and after – cracked, peeling palm and fingers of an adult

Dermatitis on a child’s hand before and after – rough, red rash on the back of the hand

Dermatitis on the chest before and after – scratched red patches below the collarbones

Dermatitis on a toddler’s cheek before and after – bright red, dry cheek

Dermatitis on the wrist before and after – red, dry patch on the back of the hand

Dermatitis on the forehead before and after – red, flaky skin between a woman’s eyebrows

Dermatitis on the knee before and after – thick, scaly, very dry skin of an adult

Dermatitis on a baby’s forehead before and after – red, blotchy skin above the eyebrows

Dermatitis near the shoulder before and after – red patches, with a jar of SOS Ointment

Dermatitis on a child’s upper arm before and after – round red patches on the skin

Dermatitis (eczema) on the back of the hand before and after – very dry, red, rough skin

Dermatitis on a baby’s cheek before and after – red, bumpy rash, then calmer skin

Dermatitis on the lower leg before and after – red, irritated patch on the shin

Dermatitis on a child’s cheek before and after – red, dry skin under the eye

Dermatitis on the neck before and after – round pink patches on the side of the neck

Dermatitis around a child’s mouth before and after – red, chapped skin around the lips

Where to next

Keep reading

By type

Atopic dermatitis

Dry, itchy skin that comes back in waves.

Read →

Contact dermatitis

When contact with a specific substance is to blame.

Read →

Seborrheic dermatitis

Greasy scales on the scalp and face.

Read →

Perioral dermatitis

Tiny bumps around the mouth.

Read →

Nummular eczema

Round patches the size of a coin.

Read →

Dyshidrotic eczema

Deep blisters on the fingers and palms.

Read →

Stasis dermatitis

Swollen shins, with the veins behind it.

Read →

Dermatitis herpetiformis

Itchy blisters linked to celiac disease.

Read →

By body area

Eczema on the face

What’s behind redness on the face.

Read →

Hand eczema

Water, cleaners and cracked knuckles.

Read →

Eczema on the palms

Cracked palms and how to care for them.

Read →

By age

Baby eczema

Cheeks, cradle cap and the diaper area.

Read →

Eczema in children

One term, six different stories.

Read →

Atopic dermatitis in babies

The first year and what’s normal in it.

Read →

Atopic dermatitis in children

Skin folds, scratching and calmer nights.

Read →

By what your skin needs

Eczema

When the word eczema means several things.

Read →

Dry skin

Why skin loses water and what helps.

Read →

All skin conditions

Everything we’ve written, in one place.

Read →

Eczema cream

How SOS Ointment stands in for the skin barrier on eczema-prone skin: a guide to using it.

Read →

Advanced questions

For those who want to go deeper

Is every dermatitis caused by a damaged skin barrier?

No. In many types of eczema, a weak barrier is an important cause or result, but different conditions have different main mechanisms. In stasis dermatitis the root problem is in the veins, in dermatitis herpetiformis it’s an autoimmune process, and in perioral dermatitis occlusive products can actually make things worse.

Can a product cause an allergy even if I’ve used it for a long time?

Yes. Allergic contact dermatitis can develop even after years of using the same product. Your immune system can “learn” to react to a substance at any time.ESCD↗︎

What’s the difference between irritant and allergic contact dermatitis?

Irritant dermatitis comes from direct damage to the skin. It depends on how strong the substance is and how often and how long you’re exposed, and it can happen to anyone. Allergic dermatitis is an immune reaction to a specific substance in someone who is sensitive to it. The irritant type is more common.

Can a photo reliably tell which type of dermatitis it is?

No. Several conditions can look almost the same in a photo, and a fungal infection can mimic eczema. Photos are useful for tracking how things change, not for a diagnosis.

What’s the difference between a patch test and a prick test?

A patch test looks for a delayed reaction: the patches stay on the skin for several days and reveal a contact allergy. A prick test looks for an immediate reaction within minutes, usually to pollen, animals or food. One can’t replace the other.

Why does a steroid cream sometimes make things worse?

If a fungal infection is behind it, a steroid can seem to calm the inflammation while actually letting the infection spread and changing how it looks. The same goes for perioral dermatitis, which often gets worse after a steroid cream on the face.CDC↗︎

Is dermatitis herpetiformis related to herpes?

No. The name only describes the pattern, which looks like herpes. It’s an autoimmune condition linked to celiac disease.JEADV↗︎

Should I stop eating gluten if I have an itchy rash?

Not on your own. A gluten-free diet is key for dermatitis herpetiformis, which is linked to celiac disease, but the diagnosis has to be made before you cut out gluten, otherwise the tests can come back falsely negative. That’s your doctor’s call.

Is dyshidrotic eczema caused by sweating?

The name comes from an old theory about a sweat gland problem, which no longer holds. Sweat and moisture can be triggers, but they aren’t the cause.AAD↗︎

Can I use an occlusive ointment for every kind of dermatitis?

No. For very dry, cracked skin, occlusive care makes a lot of sense. With perioral dermatitis, though, heavy occlusion can make things worse, and you should also be careful if there are signs of infection.

Can I have atopic and contact dermatitis at the same time?

Yes, and it’s common. Eczema-prone skin lets more through, so it comes into contact more easily with substances that irritate or sensitize it. That’s why care that used to work can suddenly seem to stop working.

Sources & references

Every claim above also links to its source right in the text.

This content is for general education and doesn’t replace a diagnosis or treatment from a doctor, pediatrician or dermatologist. If things get worse quickly, or there’s pain, signs of infection, eye involvement or one suddenly swollen, painful leg, get medical help.

Dermatitis isn’t one condition, so the same care won’t help every type.

All of this is called dermatitis

Quick answers first

How all the types of dermatitis are named

What the eye sees and what the microscope sees

Be the first to know

A rash has four coordinates

Which type sounds most like your skin

The same dermatitis, three different pictures

How a doctor looks for the cause

From how skin looks to what’s really going on inside it

Treatment is getting more and more specific

Signs not to wait on

Your doctor makes the diagnosis. Comfort for your skin can start tonight.

What our customers sent us

Keep reading

For those who want to go deeper

We don’t ship to your country yet.