Intercellular epidermal edema characteristic of dermatitis
Spongiosis is mainly intercellular[1]edema (abnormal accumulation of fluid) in the
epidermis,[2] and is characteristic of eczematous
dermatitis, manifested clinically by intraepidermal
vesicles (fluid-containing spaces), "juicy"
papules, and/or
lichenification.[3] It is a severe case of eczema that affects the epidermis, dermis or subcutaneous skin tissues.[4] The three types of spongiotic dermatitis are acute, subacute and chronic.[4] A dermatologist can diagnose acute spongiotic dermatitis by examining the skin during an office visit, but a biopsy is needed for an accurate diagnosis of the type.[medical citation needed]
It can be caused by several internal or external factors, such as food, an insect bite, stress, medication or cosmetics. The treatment varies depending on the type and severity; it is normally treated with topical corticosteroid cream.[medical citation needed]
^Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. pp. Chapter: Clinical and Pathologic Differential Diagnosis.
ISBN978-1-4160-2999-1.
^Kumar, Vinay; Fausto, Nelso; Abbas, Abul (2004) Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease (7th ed.). Saunders. Page 1230.
ISBN0-7216-0187-1.
^Marks, James G; Miller, Jeffery (2006). Lookingbill and Marks' Principles of Dermatology (4th ed.). Elsevier Inc. Page 28.
ISBN1-4160-3185-5.