Seborrheic Eczema – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!
When babies develop this condition, it is known as a crib cap. It usually develops within the first few weeks of life and gradually disappears over several weeks or months.
Seborrheic Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease, usually chronic. Despite the name, it does not mean that those who suffer from it manifest seborrhea , that is, an increase in sebum secretion (sebum type) from the skin .
Causes of Seborrheic Eczema: The exact cause of Seborrheic Eczema is not known. However, doctors believe that there are two main factors that can contribute to the development of the condition. The first factor is the overproduction of oil. An excessive amount of oil on the skin can act as an irritant, causing the skin to become red and greasy.
The second contributing factor is Malassezia, which is a type of fungus that is naturally found in skin oils . Sometimes it can grow abnormally, causing the skin to secrete more oil than usual. Increased oil production can lead to Seborrheic Eczema .
Symptoms of Seborrheic Eczema: Symptoms of Seborrheic Eczema are often made worse by a number of factors including stress, change of seasons and heavy use of alcohol. The types of symptoms that develop can vary from person to person. It is also possible for symptoms to occur in different parts of the body.
Affected Areas: Seborrheic Eczema tends to develop in oily areas of the body. It most often affects the scalp , but it can also occur in the following areas:
- In and around the ears;
- On the eyebrows;
- Not nose;
- On the back;
- scalp and others.
Seborrheic Eczema has a distinct appearance and set of symptoms:
- The skin develops scaly patches that build up. Patches can be white or yellowish in color. This problem is commonly known as dandruff . It can occur on the scalp , hair, eyebrows or beard.
- The skin in the affected area tends to be greasy and oily.
- The skin in the affected area may be red.
- The skin in the affected area may be itchy.
- Hair loss can occur in the affected area.
Diagnoses of Seborrheic Eczema: The symptoms of Seborrheic Eczema are similar to those of other skin conditions , including rosacea and psoriasis. To make an accurate diagnosis, your doctor will perform a physical exam and carefully inspect the affected areas. They will also ask you about your symptoms, including when they started and how often you experience them.
Your doctor may also want to do a biopsy first before making an accurate diagnosis. During this procedure, your doctor will scrape skin cells from the affected area. These samples will then be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results will help rule out other conditions that could be causing your symptoms.
Seborrheic Eczema Treatments: Your doctor will likely recommend that you consume home remedies before considering medical treatments. Dandruff shampoosare often used to treat Seborrheic Eczema on the scalp . They usually need to be used every day for optimal results. Be sure to follow all instructions on the bottle carefully.
Other Home Treatments That Can Help You Treat Seborrheic Eczema Include: