What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cellulitis
Example
She developed cellulitis after scratching her mosquito bite. [cellulitis: noun]
Example
The doctor prescribed antibiotics to treat the cellulitis on his leg. [cellulitis: noun]
dermatitis
Example
Her dermatitis flared up after using a new detergent. [dermatitis: noun]
Example
He applied a soothing cream to relieve the dermatitis on his hands. [dermatitis: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dermatitis is more commonly used than cellulitis in everyday language. Dermatitis is a broader term that encompasses various types of skin inflammation, while cellulitis specifically refers to a bacterial infection of the skin and underlying tissues.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cellulitis and dermatitis?
While cellulitis is associated with a more formal and medical tone, dermatitis is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.