Dermatitis is a term applied to a variety of related problems that affect the skin. Symptoms range from redness to flaking of the skin and swelling. Causes range from disease and irritants to substances that damage skin cells such as strong solvents. Repeated exposure to alcohol and gasoline are known to cause skin damage that takes a while to heal. For many of these problems, a general dermatitus cream is recommended. It provides moisture to the skin as well as substances that promote skin healing.
The exact medicine used depends on the cause as well as the skin surface. Dandruff, for example, might be caused by irritation or a lack of care to the scalp. A shampoo rather than a cream is the more likely solution to this problem. Sometimes a serious rash is formed, in which case a more specific treatment is used.