Dermatosis: Broad Term for Skin Conditions, Not Only Inflammatory

Dermatosis (pl. dermatoses) = any skin lesion or disorder. Not synonymous with inflammatory skin disease.

Scope

• Inflammatory: eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus, drug eruptions
• Neoplastic: basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, seborrheic keratosis
• Genetic: ichthyosis, epidermolysis bullosa, neurofibromatosis
• Infectious: tinea, herpes, warts
• Pigmentary: vitiligo, melasma, birthmarks (nevus)
• Autoimmune: lupus, pemphigus, morphea
• Vascular: hemangioma, pyogenic granuloma

Key Point

Dermatosis is a descriptive umbrella term (like "lesion" or "condition"), not a pathophysiologic classification. Always specify etiology when possible.