Spongiosis is mainly intercellular edema in the epidermis, and is characteristic of eczematous dermatitis, manifested clinically by intraepidermal vesicles, "juicy" papules, and/or lichenification. It is a severe case of eczema that affects the epidermis, dermis or subcutaneous skin tissues. The three types of spongiotic dermatitis are acute, subacute and chronic. 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.