Diagnosis
To diagnose dermatitis, your doctor will likely look at your skin and talk with you about your symptoms and medical history. You may need to have a small piece of skin removed for study in a lab, which helps rule out other conditions. This procedure is called a skin biopsy.
Patch testing
Your doctor may suggest a patch test to identify the cause of your symptoms. In this test, small amounts of potential allergens are put on sticky patches. Then the patches are placed on your skin. They stay on your skin for 2 to 3 days. During this time, you’ll need to keep your back dry. Then your health care provider checks for skin reactions under the patches and determines whether further testing is needed
Treatment
The treatment for dermatitis varies, depending on the cause and your symptoms. If home care steps don’t ease your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe medicine. Possible treatments include: