Severe dermatitis encompasses acute and chronic inflammatory skin conditions — primarily severe atopic dermatitis (AD), severe allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), and severe irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) — that cause widespread, functionally debilitating skin inflammation. When severe, these conditions involve >10% BSA involvement, systemic symptoms, or secondary superinfection with *Staphylococcus aureus* (especially MRSA), requiring inpatient nursing management. The critical risk of missing severe dermatitis is progression to erythroderma (>90% BSA involvement), which causes thermoregulatory failure, high-output cardiac failure, and sepsis — mortality rates of 20–40%. A co-occurring skin barrier failure in atopic dermatitis dramatically increases percutaneous absorption of topical agents, creating drug toxicity risk. Top 3 Nursing Priorities: 1. Assess for signs of secondary bacterial superinfection (S. aureus, MRSA) — the most common complication requiring systemic antibiotics 2. Maintain skin barrier integrity: wet wraps, emollients, avoid scratching — prevent progression to erythroderma 3. Identify and eliminate the offending trigger — especially in ACD (patch testing identifies allergen) NCLEX Trap: Topical corticosteroids on the face and skin folds should use LOW-potency agents (hydrocortisone 1%) — applying high-potency steroids (clobetasol) to thin skin...