Which condition is inflammation of the skin?

• A. Folliculitis
• B. Acne Vulgaris
• C. Eczema
• D. Dermatitis

Answer: (D)

Dermatitis is the term that describes inflammation of the skin. It encompasses the redness, swelling, warmth, itching, and sometimes blistering that occur when skin is irritated or allergic, or when the immune system is involved. Folliculitis is inflammation of hair follicles, which can be part of skin inflammation but isn’t the general term for inflammation itself. Acne vulgaris centers on the pilosebaceous units with comedones and inflammatory lesions, not just skin inflammation overall. Eczema refers to a chronic itchy inflammatory skin condition and is typically considered a type of dermatitis. Therefore, the broad term that best fits “inflammation of the skin” is dermatitis.