Skin nontumor

Spongiotic, psoriasiform and pustular reaction patterns

Acute eczematous dermatitis



Last author update: 1 July 2011
Last staff update: 27 September 2022

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PubMed Search: Acute eczematous dermatitis

Mowafak Hamodat, M.B.Ch.B., M.Sc.
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Cite this page: Hamodat M. Acute eczematous dermatitis. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/skinnontumoracuteeczematousdermatitis.html. Accessed June 1st, 2023.
Definition / general
  • Allergic contact dermatitis: click here
  • Atopic dermatitis: pruritic disease of unknown origin; usually begins in infants; eczematous lesions, lichenification (thickening with increase in skin markings), dry skin; may be familial (hay fever, asthma, and eczema); occurs on flexural surfaces
  • Drug related: usually systemic (penicillin); eosinophils present in deep dermis
  • Eczema: red, papulovesicular, oozing and crusted lesions (spongiotic dermatitis) which evolve to raised, scaling plaques (epidermal hyperplasia and excessive scale)
  • Irritant contact dermatitis: click here
  • Photodermatitis: due to UV light exposure
  • Primary irritant dermatitis: due to repeated rubbing
Treatment
  • Potential allergens should be identified and avoided
  • Topical steroid ointments and tars are the mainstays of therapy
  • Clobetasol combined with zinc sulfate cream may be more effective than clobetasol alone (J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2008;22:531)
Clinical images

Contributed by Mark R. Wick, M.D.

Nipple



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Atopic dermatitis

Microscopic (histologic) description
  • Spongiosis, perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate
  • Superficial dermal edema
Differential diagnosis
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