Seborrhea - Seborrheic Dermatitis - Treatment and Symptoms

Definition

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common, inflammatory skin condition that causes flaky, white to yellowish scales to form on oily areas such as the scalp or inside the ear. It can occur with or without reddened skin. This dermatitis is linked to Malassezia, immunologic abnormalities, and activation of complement. It is commonly aggravated by changes in humidity, changes in seasons, trauma or emotional stress. The severity varies from mild dandruff to exfoliative erythroderma. Seborrheic dermatitis may worsen in Parkinson disease and in AIDS. Commonly seen on the scalp, sides of the nose, eyebrows, eyelids, skin behind the ears, and middle of the chest. Other areas, such as the navel (belly button), buttocks, skin folds under the arms, axillary regions, breasts, and groin, may also be involved. Cradle cap is the term used when seborrheic dermatitis affects the scalp of infants. In adolescents and adults, it is commonly called dandruff.

Causes

1. The exact cause of Seborrheic dermatitis isn't known.
2. Seborrheic dermatitis may be related to hormones, because the disorder often appears in infancy and disappears before puberty.
3. It's common in people with oily skin or hair, and it may come and go depending on the season of the year.
4. Stress, fatigue, weather extremes, infrequent shampoos or skin cleaning, use of lotions that contain alcohol, skin disorders like acne, or obesity may increase the risk.
5. Seborrheic dermatitis has also been linked to neurologic disorders such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.
6. Seborrhoeic dermatitis is not contagious or related to diet, but it may be aggravated by illness.

Symptoms

1. There may be skin lesions in case of Seborrheic dermatitis.
2. Plaques may include the scalp, eyebrows, nose, forehead, or ears.
3. Skin scaling may also occur. It includes white and flaking, or yellowish, oily, and adherent.
4. Greasy, oily areas of skin.
5. Sometimes it may affect your breastbone, your groin area, and your armpits.
6. Seborrheic dermatitis may cause red, scaly patches with yellow, greasy crusts.
7. The patches on different part of body can be itchy or can cause burning.

Treatment

1. Seborrheic dermatitis is usually treated with shampoos that contain salicylic acid. These shampoos can be used 2 times a week.
2. Seborrheic blepharitis may respond to gentle cleaning of eyelashes with baby shampoo and cotton applicators. The use of ketoconazole cream in this anatomical region is controversial.
3. Hydrocortisone creams and lotions may soothe your skin and relieve itching. You also may need treatment for a secondary infection.
4. Several of the anti-Malassezia agents are available by prescription for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis such as Ketoconazole, Ciclopirox, Sulfacetamide, sulfur suspension, cream, emulsion, gel, wash.
5. Frequent cleansing with soap removes oils from affected areas and improves Seborrheic dermatitis.
6. Pharmacologic treatment options for seborrheic dermatitis include antifungal preparations that decrease colonization by lipophilic yeast and anti-inflammatory agents.
7. Sebosuppressive agents such as isotretinoin may be used to reduce sebaceous gland activity.