About seborrheic dermatitis

What is seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis facts

  • Seborrheic dermatitis is probably the single most common inflammatory skin condition affecting humans aside from acne vulgaris.
  • Seborrheic dermatitis is highly treatable but incurable.
  • The course of seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by apparently spontaneous remissions and exacerbations.
  • Seborrheic dermatitis affects all ages.

What is seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin inflammation that becomes worse and better spontaneously. Seborrheic dermatitis causes an eczema-type eruption commonly affecting portions of the head and upper torso. Seborrheic dermatitis is also known as seborrhea.

What are the symptoms for seborrheic dermatitis?

Too much dandruff symptom was found in the seborrheic dermatitis condition

Seborrheic dermatitis signs and symptoms may include:

  • Skin flakes (dandruff) on your scalp, hair, eyebrows, beard or mustache
  • Patches of greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales or crust on the scalp, face, sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids, chest, armpits, groin area or under the breasts
  • Red skin
  • Itching

The signs and symptoms may be more severe if you're stressed, and they tend to flare in cold, dry seasons.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if:

  • You're so uncomfortable that you're losing sleep or being distracted from your daily routines
  • Your condition is causing embarrassment and anxiety
  • You suspect your skin is infected
  • You've tried self-care steps without success

What are the causes for seborrheic dermatitis?

Doctors don't yet know the exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis. It may be related to:

  • A yeast (fungus) called malassezia that is in the oil secretion on the skin
  • An irregular response of the immune system

What are the treatments for seborrheic dermatitis?

Treatment of hair-bearing areas, like the scalp, often includes the use of a shampoo that may contain one or more of the following ingredients:

  • Tar
  • Antifungal antibiotic
  • Zinc pyrithione
  • Selenium sulfide

In addition, the application of a topical steroid lotion or solution of weak to moderate potency is effective such as desonide (Desonate, DesOwen, LoKara, Verdeso), clobetasol (Temovate), hydrocortisone, and 0.025% triamcinolone (Aristocort, Aristocort HP, Kenalog, Triderm).

For non-hair-bearing areas, the application of a weak to moderately potent topical steroid or topical antifungal cream is frequently effective. The use of tacrolimus (Protopic) or pimecrolimus (Elidel) ointments can be effective but is quite an expensive alternative.

It needs to be stressed that since this condition is incurable but easily controllable; if the disease is active and the treatment is stopped, one should expect the seborrheic dermatitis to recur. One should also use effective medications just enough to control the symptoms. Excessive treatment of apparently normal skin is economically wasteful as well as potentially dangerous.

What are the risk factors for seborrheic dermatitis?

A number of factors increase your risk of developing seborrheic dermatitis, including:

  • Neurologic and psychiatric conditions, such as Parkinson's disease and depression
  • A weakened immune system, such as seen in organ transplant recipients and people with HIV/AIDS, alcoholic pancreatitis and some cancers
  • Recovery from stressful medical conditions, such as a heart attack
  • Some medications
 

Is there a cure/medications for seborrheic dermatitis?

The doctor examines your skin to determine whether you have seborrheic dermatitis or not, and your skin is sent for biopsy.

  • If the symptoms resemble seborrheic dermatitis, the doctor continues the treatment by prescribing various shampoos, creams, and lotions.
  • You can also try some home remedies before going for shampoos or lotions.
  • If the home remedy does not work, you can take the treatment by visiting your Dermatologist.


Your doctor will continue your treatment by prescribing the following medications:

  • The doctor will prescribe shampoos and creams that include calcineurin inhibitors tacrolimus and pimecrolimus.
  • Depending on the symptoms, the doctor will prescribe antifungal gel or shampoos containing ketoconazole or ciclopirox.
  • If the condition does not improve even after applying the shampoos and creams, the doctor will prescribe the pill as an antifungal medication.


Home Remedies to Control seborrheic dermatitis

  • By applying the following home remedies, you can control seborrheic dermatitis.
  • Apply mineral or olive oil to your scalp. Instead of mineral or olive oil, you can also use tea tree oil or aloe vera
  • Wash the skin regularly and moisturize your skin
  • Apply mild corticosteroid or antifungal cream to the affected area
  • Avoid using hair spray or gels during the treatment
  • Avoid using skin products that contain alcohol
  • Use cotton clothes to get rid of the irritation. Cotton cloths help to circulate the air around the skin and prevent irritation.


Symptoms
Skin flakes,Red skin,Itching,Too much dandruff
Conditions
Affect the face, eyebrows, oily areas of the skin, ears, eyelids, armpits, ears and chest
Drugs
Ketoconazole or ciclopirox,Clobetasol,Fluocinolone,Hydrocortisone,Pills that prevent fungal infections

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