Seborrheic Dermatitis – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments

Seborrheic Dermatitis – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments  that many are unaware of. Also, Seborrheic Dermatitis (seb-o-REE-ik) is a common skin condition that mainly affects your scalp. It causes scaly patches, red skin and  stubborn dandruff . Seborrheic Dermatitis can also affect oily areas of the body, such as the face, upper chest, and back. Seborrheic Dermatitis does not affect your overall health, but it can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. It is not contagious, and it is not a sign of poor personal hygiene. Seborrheic Dermatitis is usually a long-term condition.

You may need many repeat treatments before your symptoms go away. And they can come back later. You can manage flare-ups while recognizing symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis and using a combination of self-care steps and medications. Seborrheic Dermatitis is also called dandruff , seborrheic eczema, and seborrheic psoriasis. For babies, it is known as a crib cap.

Causes of Seborrheic Dermatitis:  Doctors still do not know the exact cause of Seborrheic Dermatitis . But it could be related to:

• A yeast (fungus) called malassezia that is in the oil secretion on the skin
• An inflammatory response related to psoriasis
• The season, with episodes tending to get worse in early spring and winter

Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis:  Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis include:

• Flakes of skin ( dandruff ) on the scalp, hair, eyebrows, beard, or whiskers
• Patches of greasy skin covered with scaly white or yellow scales or crust on the scalp, ears, face, chest, armpits, scrotum, or other parts of the body
• Red skin
• Redness or crusting of the eyelids (blepharitis)
• Possibly itchy or stinging

When to See a Doctor:  See your doctor if:

• You are so uncomfortable that you are losing sleep or getting distracted from your daily routines
• Your condition is causing embarrassment and anxiety
• You suspect your skin is infected
• You have tried unsuccessful self-care steps

Risk Factors for Seborrheic Dermatitis:  A number of factors increase your risk of developing Seborrheic Dermatitis , including:

• Neurological and psychiatric conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and depression
• A weakened immune system, as seen in organ transplant recipients and people with HIV/AIDS, alcoholic pancreatitis, and some cancers
• Congestive heart failure
• Endocrine disease that leads to obesity, such as diabetes
• some medicines
• Scraping or otherwise damaging the skin on your face

Testing and Diagnosis of Seborrheic Dermatitis:  Your doctor may scrape skin cells for examination (biopsy) to rule out conditions with some symptoms similar to Seborrheic Dermatitis , including:

• Psoriasis. This disorder also causes dandruff  and red skin covered in flakes and scales. With psoriasis, you will usually have more scales, and they will be silvery white.
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema). This skin reaction causes itchy, inflamed skin in the crook of your elbows, on the back of your knees, or on the front of your neck. It is often repeated.
• Rosacea. This condition usually occurs on the face and has little scarcity.

Seborrheic Dermatitis Treatments: Medicated  shampoos, creams and lotions are the main treatments for Seborrheic Dermatitis . Your doctor will likely recommend you try home remedies, such as over-the -counter dandruff shampoos  , before considering prescription remedies. If home remedies haven’t helped, talk to your doctor about trying these treatments:

• Creams, shampoos or ointments that control inflammation. Hydrocortisone, fluocinolone, or desonide (Desowen, Desonide) are corticosteroids that you apply to the scalp or other affected area. They are effective and easy to use. But, if used for many weeks or months without interruption, they can cause side effects such as wrinkling of the skin or the skin showing rays or lines.
• The antifungal shampoo alternated with a stronger medication. Ketoconazole shampoo can be effective when alternated with a clobetasol (Temovato) scalp product twice a week.
• Antifungal medications that you take as a pill. Your doctor may recommend the antifungal medication terbinafine (Lamisil). This option is not often used because it can have serious side effects such as allergic reactions and liver problems.
• Medications that affect your immune system. Creams or lotions containing the calcineurin inhibitors tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) may be effective and have fewer side effects than corticosteroids. But they are not first-choice treatments because of a potential increased risk of cancer. Also, they cost more than mild corticosteroid medications.
• Cream or gel that fights bacteria. You apply metronidazole (Metrolotion, Metrogel) as a cream or gel once or twice a day until you see improvement.
• Light therapy with medication. This treatment combines psora leno with light therapy (photochemotherapy). After taking psora leno by mouth or applying it to affected skin, you are exposed to ultraviolet light. This therapy may not work for people with thick hair.

Alternative Medicine:  Many alternative therapies, including those listed below, have helped some people manage their Seborrheic Dermatitis . But the evidence of its effectiveness is not conclusive. It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor before adding any alternative medications to your self-care routine.

• Tea tree oil. Tea tree oil, alone or added to your shampoo, can help treat Seborrheic Dermatitis . Some studies suggest that tea tree oil can trigger an allergic reaction or affect certain hormones in your body.
• Fish oil supplements. Some evidence shows that taking fish oil supplements, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, can help with Seborrheic Dermatitis .
• aloe. In a study of people who used aloe vera cream twice a day for four to six weeks, 62 percent saw a reduction in itchiness.

Prevention of Seborrheic Dermatitis:  You can control Seborrheic Dermatitis with lifestyle changes and home remedies. Many of these are available in over-the-counter (non-prescription) forms. You may need to test different products or a combination of products before your condition improves.

The best approach for you depends on your skin type, the severity of your condition, and whether your symptoms affect your scalp or other areas of your body. But even if your condition clears up, it’s likely to come back at some point. Watch for symptoms and resume treatment of the condition when it recurs.

Wash Hair with a Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo:  Try over-the-counter anti – dandruff products  such as:

• Shampoo with zinc pyrithione (Head and Shoulders) or selenium (Selsun Blue), used daily
• Shampoo with the antifungal ketoconazole, used twice a week, alternating with your daily shampoo
• Tar Shampoo (Neutrogena T/Gel, DHS Tar)
• Salicylic Acid Shampoo (Neutrogena T/Sal), used daily

These shampoos can be especially helpful for dandruff  ( Mild Seborrheic Dermatitis ). If one type of shampoo works for a while and then seems to lose its effectiveness, try switching between two types. Be sure to leave your shampoo on for the full recommended time – this allows your ingredients to work. These shampoos can be gently rubbed into the face, ears and chest and rinsed off thoroughly.

Other Home Remedies:  The following over-the-counter treatments and self-care tips can help you control and manage Seborrheic Dermatitis :

• Smooth and remove scales from hair. Apply mineral oil or olive oil to the scalp. Leave it on for an hour or so. Then comb or brush your hair and wash it.
• Wash your skin regularly. Rinse the soap completely from the body and scalp. Avoid harsh soaps and use a moisturizer.
• Apply a mild corticosteroid cream. If that doesn’t work, try ketoconazole antifungal cream.
• Avoid products that contain alcohol. This can cause the disease to flare.
• Wear soft-textured cotton clothing. This helps keep air circulating on your skin and reduces irritation.
• If you have a beard or mustache, consider stepping away. Seborrheic Dermatitis can be worse under mustaches and beards. If that’s the case, shaving can relieve your symptoms.
• Avoid scratches. Scratching can increase irritation and the risk of infection. Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to temporarily relieve itching.
• Carefully clean the eyelids. If your eyelids show signs of redness or flaking, wash them nightly with baby shampoo and clean the scales with a cotton swab. Warm or warm compresses can also help.
• Gently wash your baby’s scalp. If your baby has a crib cover, wash the scalp with non-medicated baby shampoo once a day. Gently loosen the scale with a small, soft brush before rinsing off the shampoo.