Seborrheic Dermatitis Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What is Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrhea, sebopsoriasis, seborrheic eczema, and dandruff and pityriasis capitis is a chronic, relapsing and usually mild dermatitis.

In infants seborrheic dermatitis is called cradle cap.

It is an inflammatory skin disorder affecting the scalp, face, and torso.  It particularly affects the sebaceous-gland-rich areas of skin.

Seborrheic dermatitis doesn’t affect one’s overall health, but it can be uncomfortable and cause embarrassment. It isn’t contagious, and it’s not a sign of poor personal hygiene.

Causes of Seborrheic Dermatitis:

The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is yet unknown.

However, it is thought to result from a combination of the following factors:

• Stress
• Genes
• A yeast that normally lives on skin
• Certain medical conditions and medicines
• Cold, dry weather

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

• Neurological and psychiatric conditions, such as:

1. Parkinson’s disease
2. depression

• A weakened immune system, such as seen in:

1. organ transplant recipients
2. people with HIV/AIDS
3. alcoholic pancreatitis

• Congestive heart failure
• Endocrine disease that leads to obesity, such as:

1. diabetes

• Some medications
• Scratching or otherwise damaging the skin on your face
• Having the following medical conditions:

1. Acne
2. Eating disorders
3. Epilepsy
4. Psoriasis
5. Rosacea

Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis:

The following signs and symptoms are exhibited by Seborrheic Dermatitis:

• Skin flakes (dandruff) on the scalp, hair, eyebrows, beard or mustache
• Patches of greasy skin covered with flaky 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 itching or stinging

The following regions are susceptible to Seborrheic Dermatitis:

• On the face, especially around the nose, on the eyelids, or behind the ears.
• In the middle part of the chest
• Around the navel
• On buttocks
• In skin folds under arms and on legs
• In the groin
• Below breasts

Diagnosis of Seborrheic Dermatitis:

The doctor may scrape off skin cells for examination (biopsy) to rule out conditions with some symptoms similar to seborrheic dermatitis, including:

• Psoriasis.

1. This disorder also causes dandruff and red skin covered with flakes and scales

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema).

1. This skin reaction causes itchy, inflamed skin in the folds of the elbows, on the backs of the knees or on the front of the neck

• Rosacea.

1. This condition usually occurs on the face and has very little scaliness.

Treatment of Seborrheic Dermatitis:

Medicated shampoos, creams and lotions are the main treatments for seborrheic dermatitis. The following treatments are available:

• Creams, shampoos or ointments that control inflammation.

1. Prescription-strength hydrocortisone
2. fluocinolone
3. desonide (Desowen, Desonide)

• Antifungal shampoo alternated with a stronger medication.

1. Ketoconazole shampoo

• Antifungal medication taken as a pill. .
• Medications that affect the immune system
• Cream or gel that fights bacteria.

1. metronidazole (Metrolotion, Metrogel)

• Light therapy with medication.

By : Natural Health News