Dermatitis: Not all skin inflammation is the same

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Dermatitis: Not all skin inflammation is the same

Carmen Pope

Young teen girl scratching arm
Atopic dermatitis is characterised by an itchy rash that tends to come and go [Image: Daisy-Daisy on iStock]

Healthcare Handbook editor and clinical pharmacist Carmen Pope looks at some common types of dermatitis and how to treat them, with particular focus on topical corticosteroids

SALLY BRINGS IN her 12-year-old daughter, who you can see has quite a severe rash on her inner elbows and the backs of her knees. Sally says they are
References

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2. Pope C (Tech Ed). Dermatitis/Eczema. Healthcare Handbook 2023–2025. Auckland, NZ: The Health Media Ltd; 2024.

3. Starship. Eczema - management of acute eczema flares. November 2022.

4. DermNet. Dermatitis. April 2022.

5. Sidbury R, Alikhan A, Bercovitch L, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis in adults with topical therapies. J Am Acad Dermatol 2023;89(1):e1–20.

6. BPACnz. Topical corticosteroids for childhood eczema: clearing up the confusion. 4 August 2021.

7. New Zealand Formulary. 13.4 Topical corticosteroids. NZF v148; 1 October 2024.

8. Johnson JL. A look at current guidelines for topical steroid use for atopic dermatitis. National Eczema Association, 17 September 2024.

9. DermNet. Topical steroid. January 2016.