What term refers to inflammation of the skin?

• A. Dermatitis
• B. Dermatologist
• C. Dermatomycosis
• D. Dialysis

Answer: (A)

Inflammation of the skin is called dermatitis. The term comes from derma, meaning skin, plus the suffix -itis, which indicates inflammation, so it specifically describes conditions where the skin becomes red, itchy, swollen, or irritated. It’s a broad umbrella term that covers various inflammatory skin problems, such as eczema or contact dermatitis, where the skin reacts to irritants or allergens.

A dermatologist is a skin specialist, not the condition itself. Dermatomycosis refers to fungal infections of the skin, like ringworm, which involve infection rather than just inflammation. Dialysis is a medical procedure for kidney failure and has no relation to skin inflammation.