What is Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Simply put, seborrheic dermatitis is a very common and easily treatable skin condition. It causes your skin to become red, itchy, and have oily, scaly patches. On the scalp, it can also develop white or yellow flakes or crusts. As the name suggests, "seborrheic" refers to the "sebaceous glands" in our skin. These are the glands that produce oil for our skin. "Derm" means skin. So this is a condition that occurs in relation to them. Dandruff, which we all know, is a form of this. Doctors sometimes call it pityriasis capitis. When it appears on the scalp of small babies, we call it "cradle cap." It looks like baby dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis can occur not only on the scalp, but also on other parts of the body, especially in areas with a high number of sebaceous glands. For example:- Your upper back and chest
- Face/forehead
- In the folds on both sides of the nose
- Behind the ears
- Pekaniya (Pekaniya)
- Eyelashes
- Under the breast
- In the folds of the arms, legs, and groin
Who is more likely to develop this condition?
It is said that about 11% of the world's population has seborrheic dermatitis. It is most common in babies under three months old and adults between the ages of 30 and 60. It is more common in men than women. If you have naturally oily skin, you are more likely to develop this condition. Also, if someone in your family has skin diseases like psoriasis, it can also affect you. If you live in a dry, cold area, it is not caused by the weather itself, but the condition can be a little worse. In addition, if you have health problems such as:- For those with low immunity:
- Organ transplant recipients
- Adults with Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- Adults with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- For those infected with HIV ( HIV - human immunodeficiency virus)
- For those with mental illness :
- Depression
- For people with nervous system diseases :
- Parkinson 's disease
- Tardive Dyskinesia
- Epilepsy
- Facial nerve palsy
- For those with spinal cord injury
- For those with birth defects:
- Down syndrome
What are the symptoms of this?
If you have seborrheic dermatitis, you may experience symptoms like these:- White, itchy scales on the scalp. We call this dandruff . When it itches, these scales move around and get stuck in the hair, or fall onto the neck and shoulders.
- A red, scaly rash on the skin.
- Cradle Cap is a yellow, raised area on the head of a baby. It usually doesn't itch. However, if the baby scratches its head, it can cause further injury and possibly even a small infection.
- Redness and crusting at the edges of the eyelids. This is called blepharitis .
- Pinkish plaques on both sides of the face, where the skin thickens and peels.
- There are spots on the chest, forehead, and hairline that look like a petal of a flower or a circle.
- Redness in the genital area, armpits, and under the breasts.
- Swelling of the hair follicles on the cheeks and upper body (inflamed hair follicles).
Why does seborrheic dermatitis occur? What makes it worse?
Researchers still don't know exactly what causes this. They think there could be many factors. The main ones that are thought to be contributing factors are:- Malassezia is a type of yeast that is actually present on everyone's skin. However, in some people, it grows excessively.
- Increased levels of the hormone androgen .
- On the skinIncreased levels of lipids.
- An inflammatory reaction in the skin.
- Family history (which means it can be something that comes from generations).
- Stress
- Cold and dry climate
- Oily skin
- Using lotions containing alcohol
- Having other skin conditions like rosacea , psoriasis, and acne.
Does the weather affect this?
Yes, definitely. During the rainy season, the dry air can make your seborrheic dermatitis worse. But in the summer, the condition improves a bit. The reason for this is that the UV-A and UV-B rays in the sun can kill the yeast that overgrows the skin of people with seborrheic dermatitis. But it's better to be careful about sunburn!Can food and drink increase or decrease this condition?
There are different opinions on this. However, the expert opinion is that it has not yet been proven that diet causes or reduces seborrheic dermatitis . Also, diet does not affect dandruff.What is the difference between Seborrheic Dermatitis and Psoriasis?
Sometimes the two can look the same. Both cause red, scaly patches on the skin. Both can affect the scalp. However, psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that affects between 2% and 4% of the population. In psoriasis, the scales can be thicker than in seborrheic dermatitis. And the edges of the scales are clearly visible. On the scalp, in psoriasis, the scales are more silvery than white or yellow. Sometimes both can occur together. This is called sebopsoriasis . In this case, both symptoms are present.If you are unsure whether you have dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, it is best to see a doctor for advice , as treatments for one may not work for the other.
Does seborrheic dermatitis cause hair loss?
No. Seborrheic dermatitis does not directly cause hair loss . However, excessive itching can cause hair to break.Is there a connection between this and acne?
Yes, seborrheic dermatitis and acne can both occur at the same time, in the same areas of the body. Both are affected by the oiliness of your skin. People with acne are also more likely to develop dandruff.How is this diagnosed?
Seborrheic dermatitis is an easily recognizable condition.. This is because a doctor can diagnose it based on the appearance of the affected skin and the areas on the body where it occurs. Blood, urine, or allergy tests are usually not needed. However, if your condition does not improve with treatment, a dermatologist may take a small piece of skin (skin biopsy) to rule out another condition.What are the treatments for this?
Seborrheic dermatitis in both young and old people usually does not go away without treatment. The treatment depends on where it is on your body and how severe it is. The main goal of treatment is to reduce the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, including itching and redness. These include over-the-counter (OTC) products and prescription products . Prescription medications include topical antifungals, calcineurin inhibitors, and corticosteroids. Maintenance treatment is often needed. Sometimes, a combination of these treatments may be used.Scalp Treatment
Cradle Cap for babies
- Cradle Cap often gets better without treatment by the time the baby is between 8 and 12 months old.
- This can be achieved by washing your hair daily with a mild baby shampoo.
- You can massage or comb your scalp with a soft brush. Do this several times a day and after shampooing. Be careful not to damage the skin , or it may lead to infection.
- If this condition persists, or if your baby is scratching his head as if he is in pain, see your pediatrician or dermatologist. He/she may recommend a special shampoo or lotion.
- If this condition occurs on other parts of the body, you can use a mild steroid lotion.
For young people and adults
- For mild cases , you can buy a dandruff shampoo containing selenium, zinc pyrithione, or coal tar from a pharmacy. Use it twice a week or according to the instructions on the bottle.
- For long-term control , your doctor may prescribe an antifungal shampoo containing ciclopirox (Loprox®) or ketoconazole (Nizoral®). These shampoos should be used daily to two to three times a week for several weeks until the dandruff clears up. Then, use them once a week or every other week to prevent them from coming back. Your doctor will tell you exactly how to use them.
- For moderate and severe conditionsIf so, your doctor may prescribe a shampoo containing betamethasone valerate (Luxiq®), clobetasol (Clobex®), fluocinolone (Capex®), or fluocinolone solution (Synalar®). These can be used daily, or they can be used twice a day for two weeks, then twice a week. Use as directed by your doctor.
Ask your doctor what side effects you should be aware of when using these shampoos.
Face and Body Treatments
Topical antifungals, corticosteroids, and calcineurin inhibitors are used to treat seborrheic dermatitis on the face and body.- Topical antifungals include ciclopirox, ketoconazole, or sertaconazole. These come in cream, foam, or gel forms. They are usually applied to the affected area twice a day for up to 8 weeks, then used as needed.
- Topical corticosteroids include betamethasone valerate, desonide, fluocinolone, or hydrocortisone. They come as creams, lotions, foams, gels, ointments, oils, or liquids. They are applied once or twice a day. Your doctor may prescribe these if your condition does not improve with antifungal medications or if your condition suddenly worsens. Using corticosteroids continuously for weeks or months can cause your skin to thin. So do not continue using them without medical advice.
- Calcineurin inhibitors are an alternative to corticosteroids. These include pimecrolimus cream (Elidel®) or tacrolimus ointment (Protopic®). They are applied to the affected area twice a day.
- If your condition is very severe , your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal agent or phototherapy to reduce skin inflammation.
How to reduce the risk of developing seborrheic dermatitis?
There are actually very few things you can do to prevent seborrheic dermatitis. Cradle CapIt is a natural, harmless condition. It can be easily managed at home. If you are young or old, if your body has higher than normal levels of androgen hormones, if your skin has high levels of lipids, or if you have an overgrowth of yeast, you are more likely to develop it. But there are some simple health habits you can follow to reduce your risk:- Sleep well.
- Control stress.
- Expose yourself to sunlight (UV light) for a short time (a few minutes) every day. But be careful of the strong sun during the day.
What can I expect with this situation?
Cradle Cap is a common condition in babies. It is usually painless, itchy, and harmless. It appears in the first few weeks to a few months of life, and most babies are no longer affected by it by 12 months. It can be managed with simple home care. Seborrheic dermatitis, which affects the scalp, face, and body of both young and old, is a lifelong condition . Fortunately, it can be managed with treatment. With proper treatment, the condition quickly improves.If self-treatment does not help, or if the affected area is painful, crusty, or oozing pus, be sure to see a doctor .
How should I take care of myself?
If you have seborrheic dermatitis on your scalp, you can try several over-the-counter dandruff shampoos. If one shampoo doesn't work, check the active ingredient and try another with a different ingredient. Shampoos should be applied to your scalp and left on for at least 5 minutes before rinsing. If you think you have seborrheic dermatitis on your face or body, see a doctor or dermatologist. They can examine you and determine how widespread and severe the condition is. They can help you choose the best treatment, control your condition, and manage flare-ups. Follow all instructions and don't be afraid to ask your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.When should I see a doctor?
If your symptoms get worse or if you have a flare-up, you should see a dermatologist. Your doctor may need to adjust the dosage of your medication, add a new medication to your treatment regimen, or change the medication altogether.What questions should I ask my doctor?
When you see the doctor, you can ask questions like these:- "Doctor, based on my symptoms, do I have seborrheic dermatitis, or something else like eczema, atopic dermatitis, or psoriasis?"
- "What treatments can I get at the pharmacy when I'm feeling better? Or do I need to do several treatments at once?"
- "Is there a special hair loss shampoo, cream, or lotion that the doctor recommends?"
- "If this doesn't get better with home remedies, can the doctor prescribe me a shampoo, cream, or lotion?"
- "How often should I see a dermatologist for this condition?"
- "What should I do if I have an allergic reaction to a shampoo/cream/lotion I use?"
Finally, things to remember
Seborrheic dermatitis is an itchy, slightly uncomfortable condition. However, it doesn't pose a major health risk . With treatment, the condition can be managed well. So, itchy skin and white flakes on your black shirt don't have to be a part of your daily routine! If you have any more questions about this, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor.👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What is Seborrheic Dermatitis? Is it a skin disease?
This is a yellow, scaly rash that appears on the areas of our skin that produce the most oil (the scalp, face, sides of the nose, and chest). When this occurs, the area becomes red, itches a lot, and a white, scaly, powdery discharge appears.
💬 What is the main cause of this disease?
The exact cause of this condition is not yet known, but it is believed to be caused by an overgrowth of a fungus called Malassezia, which normally lives on our skin, and an overreaction of our immune system to this fungus.
💬 Are there any effective treatments for this that can be done at home?
If it's on your scalp, wash your head with a pharmacy anti-dandruff shampoo that contains medications like ketoconazole or selenium sulfide. If it's on your face, you can apply a mild hydrocortisone cream for a few days to reduce the itching.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න