Skin inflammation is your immune system’s way of protecting your skin against harmful conditions such as infections, allergens and bacteria. It’s similar to having a fever when your body is fighting an illness.

If you have skin inflammation, you may experience rashes, redness, itching, pain and other symptoms.

The most common types of inflammatory skin conditions include:

• Acne: Acne (pimples) occurs due to blocked hair follicles or oil glands in the skin. Inflammatory acne causes painful cysts and bumps deep in the skin.
• Contact dermatitis: Contact dermatitis occurs when your skin touches an irritant or allergen. Common irritants include detergents, poison ivy and certain metals.
• Eczema: Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a broad term that describes an itchy, dry rash on your skin. The most common type is atopic dermatitis.
• Psoriasis: Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes thick, scaly patches of skin called plaques. It’s an autoimmune skin disease. Your immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake and causes inflammation.
• Seborrheic dermatitis: Seborrheic dermatitis causes itchy or flaky patches on your scalp. It’s often the result of yeast overgrowth on your skin.

Skin inflammation varies from person to person, based on the reason for the irritation. Inflammatory skin conditions may cause:  

• Bumps or swelling
• Dry, itchy skin
• Fluid-filled blisters
• Scaly, flaky or cracked skin
• Skin that appears red or darker than the surrounding skin
• Skin that feels warm to the touch

Skin inflammation is an immune response to something your body perceives as harmful. In many cases, inflammation develops suddenly and goes away when the trigger, such as an allergen, is no longer present. But other forms of inflammation are chronic, or long-lasting. At UC Davis, we focus on finding the root cause of your skin inflammation so we can build an effective treatment plan.

The most common causes of skin inflammation include:

You may be at a higher risk of skin inflammation due to:

To diagnose an inflammatory skin condition, your healthcare provider examines your skin and asks about your symptoms. Consider taking photos of your skin condition before your visit in case you don’t have an active flare-up at the time of your appointment.

Tests for skin inflammation may include:

• Allergy tests to find out if you’re allergic to common irritants such as pet dander, pollen or dust
• Blood tests to check for health conditions that could trigger an immune response
• Skin biopsy to analyze a sample of skin cells for signs of disease or infection

At UC Davis Health, we have an on-site lab dedicated to testing and diagnosing dermatologic conditions. Dermatologists and pathologists work together to evaluate and deliver test results as quickly as possible, usually within 24 hours.

The skilled dermatologists at UC Davis Health have extensive experience treating common and rare inflammatory skin conditions. Our participation in research and clinical trials means we’re at the forefront of the latest treatments for eczema, psoriasis and other conditions that can affect your quality of life.

Dermatologists work alongside other specialists, including endocrinologists, rheumatologists, immunologists and pathologists, to ensure you receive complete care.

Treatment for skin inflammation may include:

Sometimes there’s no way to prevent skin inflammation, but you can reduce your risk:

• Avoid hot baths or showers
• Avoid known allergens or triggers
• Moisturize your skin with fragrance-free cream
• Only use fragrance-free soaps and detergents
• Stay hydrated
• Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing