Spongiotic dermatitis is a type of inflammatory skin symptom caused by fluid buildup in the skin. It’s associated with many skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis.

Dermatitis is a general term that describes inflammation, dryness, and irritation of the skin.

Spongiosis refers to skin inflammation caused by fluid buildup in your skin, which leads to swelling between skin cells. It’s a common characteristic of dermatitis conditions, most notably atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema.

Spongiotic dermatitis refers to dermatitis caused by the fluid buildup under your skin.

Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for spongiotic dermatitis, as well as how the condition is diagnosed.

Spongiotic dermatitis may present in six different patterns, depending on which skin condition it’s associated with. Some of these conditions may include:

The exact cause of spongiotic dermatitis isn’t yet known.

However, researchers have identified several risk factors that may contribute to the skin condition, including:

Other factors that may trigger or worsen dermatitis symptoms include stress, temperature changes, and sweating.

Spongiotic dermatitis may present in several different ways on the skin, such as:

  • scaly patches of irritated skin
  • rashes in the shape of coins
  • skin lesions
  • skin discoloration
  • dandruff that’s difficult to get rid of
  • oozing and infection after scratching an affected area

Spongiotic dermatitis may also affect babies with diaper rashes caused by contact dermatitis.

In rare cases, spongiotic dermatitis may indicate a type of skin cancer called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Treatment for spongiotic dermatitis will depend on the underlying cause and severity of your symptoms.

A healthcare professional may suggest a combination of medications and home remedies to reduce inflammation, relieve symptoms, and treat the cause of the dermatitis.

The first line of treatment for most types of dermatitis is topical creams, which are medications you apply to the skin. These may include daily moisturizers to hydrate your skin and steroid creams to reduce inflammation.

According to the National Eczema Association (NEA), the following remedies may help treat atopic dermatitis, a common cause of spongiotic dermatitis:

If you have seborrheic dermatitis, which often affects your face, back, and chest, a doctor may recommend:

  • frequently washing your hair
  • using dandruff shampoos that contain ketoconazole, selenium, or zinc pyrithione
  • applying steroids on the skin to control flares

If you experience symptoms of spongiotic dermatitis, speak with a healthcare professional. They could help develop the best treatment plan for your condition.

The risk factors for spongiotic dermatitis are similar to those of other related conditions.

According to the NEA, the following risk factors may contribute to dermatitis flare-ups:

  • excessively dry skin
  • contact with certain irritants, such as metals, detergents, soaps, and certain clothing materials
  • environmental irritants, such as tobacco smoke, dust mites, dander, and insect bites
  • stress and other mental health conditions
  • temperature changes, such as low humidity, cold air, or hot weather
  • allergies, such as hay fever

Certain types of dermatitis, like atopic dermatitis, often happen early in childhood and go away by late teens. However, it’s possible for dermatitis to reappear or develop for the first time in your adult years.

Spongiotic dermatitis is a way that dermatitis develops rather than a specific type of dermatitis. As such, a doctor needs to take certain steps to tell the difference between spongiotic dermatitis and other types of dermatitis.

They may be able to provide a diagnosis of spongiotic dermatitis simply by examining the appearance of your skin.

However, a doctor will most likely perform a skin biopsy to confirm the accurate diagnosis of spongiotic tissue in your dermatitis.

In a biopsy, they’ll remove a small sample of your skin to send to a lab. Lab technicians will look at the sample under a microscope. The results of your skin biopsy can take a few days to a few weeks to return, depending on the lab.

A doctor will look at the biopsy results to examine the tissue for fluid buildup, called edema, and for the degree of spongiosis.

If you have spongiotic dermatitis related to eczema, a doctor will determine what kind of eczematous dermatitis you have.

A doctor may also order other tests to help confirm the diagnosis of spongiotic dermatitis, including blood tests and a skin prick test.

What triggers spongiotic dermatitis?

Triggers for spongiotic dermatitis will vary for each person but may include irritants like cigarette smoke, pollen, dust mites, weather changes, certain clothing materials, and eating certain foods, among others.

Is spongiotic dermatitis autoimmune?

The exact cause of spongiotic dermatitis is unknown, but some experts suggest it may be caused by an overactive immune system.

Is spongiotic dermatitis the same as psoriasis?

Spongiotic dermatitis and psoriasis are different skin conditions. However, they may share similar symptoms, such as dry, itchy, and inflamed lesions on the surface of the skin.

What is the spongiotic reaction pattern?

The spongiotic reaction pattern refers to how spongiosis develops in the skin. There are six different patterns, including:

  • neutrophilic spongiosis
  • eosinophilic spongiosis
  • miliarial spongiosis
  • follicular spongiosis
  • pityriasiform spongiosis
  • haphazard spongiosis

In many cases, spongiotic dermatitis is related to another type of skin condition, such as eczema. It can often be treated at home with creams and home remedies.

Dermatitis is not contagious, so you don’t need to worry about transmitting it to other people.

Sometimes, in chronic cases, the itching and irritation can be annoying enough to disrupt your life. It may interrupt your sleep or make you feel self-conscious about your skin.

If this happens, speak with a healthcare professional. They could help develop a treatment plan for you.