What is Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Seborrheic Dermatitis is a common skin condition that mainly affects your scalp. It causes scaly patches, inflamed skin and stubborn dandruff. It usually affects oily areas of the body, such as the face, sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids and chest. This condition can be irritating but it's not contagious, and it doesn't cause permanent hair loss.

Seborrheic dermatitis may go away without treatment. Or you may need to use medicated shampoo or other products long term to clear up symptoms and prevent flare-ups.

Seborrheic dermatitis is also called dandruff, seborrheic eczema and seborrheic psoriasis. When it occurs in infants, it's called cradle cap.

Healthy skin vs Seborrheic Dermatitis

Symptoms :

Seborrheic dermatitis signs and symptoms may include: 

  • Flaking skin (dandruff) on your scalp, hair, eyebrows, beard or mustache.
  • Patches of greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales or crust on the scalp, face, sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids, chest, armpits, groin area or under the breasts.
  • Rash that may look darker or lighter in people with brown or Black skin and redder in those with white skin.
  • Ring-shaped (annular) rash, for a type called petaloid seborrheic dermatitis.
  • Itchiness (pruritus).

The signs and symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis tend to flare with stress, fatigue or a change of season.

When to see a Doctor?

  • You're so uncomfortable that you're losing sleep or are distracted from your daily routines.
  • Your condition makes you feel embarrassed or anxious.
  • You think your skin is infected.
  • You've tried self-care steps, but your symptoms persist.

Cause:

The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis isn't clear. It may be due to the yeast Malassezia, excess oil in the skin or a problem in the immune system.

Risk Factors:

Risk factors for Seborrheic Dermatitis include:

  • Stress .
  • Fatigue.
  • A change of season.
  • Nervous system conditions, such as Parkinson's disease.
  • Having a mental health condition, such as depression.
  • Immune system disorders, such as HIV infection.
  • Recovery from stressful medical conditions, such as a heart attack.

Treatments:

For adolescents and adults, the main treatments for seborrheic dermatitis are medicated shampoos, creams and lotions. If nonprescription products and self-care habits don't help, your health care provider might suggest that you try one or more of these treatments:

  • Antifungal gels, creams, lotions, foams or shampoos alternated with another medication.
  • Creams, lotions, shampoos or ointments that control inflammation.
  • Antifungal medication you take as a pill.
  • Wash your scalp regularly.
  • Wash your skin regularly.