Diagnosis of dermatitis

Diagnosis of dermatitis, including identifying the type of dermatitis, is based on assessment of:

• patient history (eg family history of atopy)
• rash distribution pattern
• systemic involvement and other nonskin symptoms
• contributing factors (eg occupation, hobbies, recent drug changes, new perfumes or skin products, obesity, incontinence).

Identifying the specific cause or type of dermatitis can be difficult, but treatment can usually be started if skin infection, cutaneous drug reaction and red flags for referral (eg patient is systemically unwell) are excluded.