The terms dermatitis and eczema are synonymous with and refer to types of skin rashes.

Rashes) have multiple causes. These include exposure to irritating chemicals (harsh soaps) or those that cause allergies (in poison oaks, latex and preservatives). In addition there are many inherited skin disorders that often produce the same type of surface changes seen in more common varieties of dermatitis.

Careful examination (sometimes including biopsy) is required to identify the underlying nature of the disorder and plan appropriate treatment.