Seborrhoeic Dermatitis is a disease of the skin. It is an inflammation of the skin, so it is called dermatitis (a type of eczema). As it is connected to sebaceous glands, it is called seborrhoeic. This is a condition of skin when skin develops red scaly patches on a area. There are no known reasons for this disease except that a type of yeast may be responsible. Those who have an oily face and scalp can develop this disease quickly. Dandruff is a kind of seborrhoeic dermatitis without red patches. Seborrhea is also another kind of seborrhoeic dermatitis without redness and scales. Seborrhoeic dermatitis can be easily treated using topical shampoos and ointments. It cannot be cured forever.



Seborrhoeic Dermatitis > Look And Site Of Occurrence

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis commonly affects the scalp, face, eyelids, sides of nose, groin, chest, armpits and other places that are oily or warm. On different sites, it may look little different. On the scalp, sometimes it becomes difficult to determine if it is psoriasis or seborrhoeic dermatitis.

When you get seborrhoeic dermatitis, it will look like red patches with scales. The scales are commonly white or yellow in color. Most of the patches are ring shaped. It is a harmless disease and affects many people.

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis > Who Gets It?

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is believed to be an inflammatory reaction related to a proliferation of a normal skin inhabitant, a yeast called Malassezia (formerly known as Pityrosporum ovale). Patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis appear to have a reduced resistance to the yeast.

Any healthy person can get seborrhoeic dermatitis. Though, it is found that those with Parkinson's disease are more prone to it. People with AIDS get seborrhoeic dermatitis that spreads wildly on their body. It is not known, if seborrhoeic dermatitis is a hereditary disease or if diet has any connection with it. Stress sometimes triggers seborrhoeic dermatitis. Cold weather finds more patients of deborrhoeic dermatitis than warm weather. It itches, forms a sore and the patches of skin with scales may look embarrassing on the face. Do you have reduced resistance to yeast? If yes, you are more prone to seborrhoeic dermatitis because it is believed to be caused by a type of yeast that normally lies on the body.

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis > Treatment>

There is no known complete cure for seborrhoeic dermatitis. Using shampoos on the scalp and ointments/creams/gels on the body can control it. You may have to use these medications for a long time till the seborrhoeic dermatitis does not clear. You should therefore avoid more use of steroids for treating seborrhoeic dermatitis.

For scalp, your doctor may prescribe shampoo containing active ingredients such as selenium sulphide, zinc pyrithione, or ketoconazole. You should allow the shampoo to remain on your scalp for about five minutes minimum and then wash it off. Your doctor will tell you about the frequency of use of the shampoo. The frequency depends upon severity of the disease.

For treatment of the patches on the body, your doctor may prescribe steroid creams, or anti-fungal preparations. Sometimes, they may be combined with anti-bacterial agents. Apply the formulations as directed.

There is no known prevention for seborrhoeic dermatitis. Keep your body free of oil, don't get stressed and watch when the weather changes. Washing your scalp regularly with an anti-fungal shampoo once a week may be a good idea. Consult your doctor about treatment and prevention.

If you have psoriasis with seborrhoeic dermatitis, your doctor will follow a different line of treatment.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.