Seborrheic dermatitis

What is seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that mostly affects the scalp. It causes scaly patches, reddened skin and persistent dandruff.

Seborrheic dermatitis can also affect areas of the body where there are sebaceous glands such as the face, the area behind the ears, and the upper chest and back.

Seborrheic dermatitis is not your general health condition, but it can cause you a number of inconveniences. It is not contagious and is not a sign of poor hygiene.

Seborrheic dermatitis is usually a chronic condition. It may be necessary to repeat the treatment many times before the symptoms disappear.

But they can reappear later. You will be able to control flare-ups of seborrheic dermatitis symptoms using a combination of home remedies for dermatitis and medications.

Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis are:

Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis are often unpleasant and can cause discomfort to affected individuals.

One of the characteristic manifestations of seborrheic dermatitis is the appearance of skin scales (dandruff) on the skin. These scales can form on the scalp, hair, eyebrows, beard and other affected areas.

They are the result of the excessive activity of the sebaceous glands, which causes increased sebum production.

Sebum is the oil that is produced naturally by the body and is necessary to maintain healthy skin, but in seborrheic dermatitis it is excessive.

Another characteristic symptom is the appearance of greasy spots, which may be covered with white or yellow scales or crusts.

This is the result of the accumulation of sebum on the skin and can be seen especially on the scalp, around the eyes and in other oily areas of the body.

These oily spots often spread and cause reddening of the skin.

Seborrhoeic eczema can also affect the area around the eyes, causing redness or crusting of the eyelids (blepharitis).

This can lead to discomfort, such as itching and burning in the eyes. Inflammation of the eyelids can be particularly irritating and impair the quality of vision.

Seborrheic dermatitis can affect people of any age, but it usually occurs in people between the ages of 30 and 60.

Factors that contribute to the onset and worsening of symptoms include genetic predispositions, the presence of an imbalance in hormone levels, stress, low immune function, and exposure to cold or dampness.

Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis

Medicated shampoos, creams and lotions are the main means of treating seborrheic dermatitis.

But if they do not help, you should consult your doctor to see if he can recommend treatment with one of these means:

• Creams, shampoos containing substances that limit inflammation. Those that contain mild corticosteroids are usually prescribed. They are applied to the scalp or other affected areas. They are effective and very easy to use. But if it is used for a long time without interruption, it can also give some side effects like thinning of the skin for example.
• Anti-seborrheic dermatitis shampoo containing ketoconazole and can be effective when used with scalp preparations containing clobetasol – a corticosteroid with a strong local action, at least 2 times a week.
• Your doctor may also recommend anti-fungal medications such as the medication terbinafine (Lamisil). They are not used because they can have serious side effects such as allergic reactions and liver problems.
• Medications that affect the immune system. Creams and lotions containing calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus can be and have fewer side effects than corticosteroids. But they are usually not used because they are much more expensive than mild corticosteroid drugs.
• Antibacterial creams and gels. You can use metronidazole as a cream or as a gel once or twice a day until you see improvement.

A recent study found that the herb aloe vera, which is traditionally used to treat burns and cuts, can relieve the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis.

The way of eating invariably affects the condition of the skin, so proper nutrition will help to improve our condition with seborrheic dermatitis. You should avoid milk and milk products.

And with foods like chocolate, corn and peanuts, we have to be careful how they affect our skin, as they are often the cause of many food allergies.

A recent study found that the cause of seborrheic dermatitis may be insufficient protein intake, and therefore protein-rich foods such as chicken, eggs, are recommended.

How to limit and completely eliminate the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis?

Limiting and controlling the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis requires a complex and consistent approach.

Although there is no universal formula to completely eliminate this problem, there are several useful practices that can help improve the condition of the skin and reduce the frequency of flare-ups.

First and foremost, stress plays a big role in increasing the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis. Therefore, it is important to learn stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, breathing and other relaxation methods.

Maintaining an appropriate level of hydration is essential for the skin and can help limit the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis.

Drinking at least 8 standard glasses of water daily, especially during the hot months when the body dehydrates more quickly, is a useful practice.

Moisture helps maintain skin elasticity and prevent it from drying out.

Choosing the right skin care products is also essential for seborrheic dermatitis.

Avoid too aggressive soaps or gels, which can cause irritation and further drying of the skin.

Use milder cleansing and moisturizing products that are specially formulated for sensitive and seborrheic dermatitis-prone skin.