Disease, Illness and Condition Library
Seborrheic Dermatitis Seborrheic dermatitis is a non cancerous chronic skin condition characterized by red, greasy skin covered with yellowish or white flaky scales. Inflammation occurs in skin areas which have the highest density of oil producing glands (sebaceous) such as the scalp. It might come as a surprise to some that seborrheic dermatitis may begin in infancy as cradle cap, only to disappear and then reappear during adolescence, when the sebaceous glands become more active. After reappearing in adolescence it will likely persist throughout life. Seborrheic dermatitis often affects the scalp (dandruff), the area between the eyebrows, the sides of the nose, the area behind or just inside the ears, the chest, and the groin. Possible causes The mystery of seborrheic dermatitis has yet to be unraveled. While the exact cause has yet to be revealed there are five contributing factors which seem to play a role, including: *Malassezia fungus: Malassezia is a yeast normally found in healthy skin. This yeast feeds off of oily skin secretions and skin bacteria. An overabundance of the mallassezia fungus is thought to be one of the primary factors in the development of seborrheic dermatitis. *Stress and fatigue also have been known to trigger attacks *A change in seasons - Outbreaks tend to be much more severe in cold weather months. *Neurological conditions may be a factor as well. Outbreaks are likely to occur more often in people who have certain types of neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. *AIDS/HIV tends to put an individual at risk for developing seborrheic dermatitis. By some estimates over eight out of ten people with AIDS have some form of seborrheic dermatitis. Diagnosis The diagnostic process is straightforward and consists of talking to your doctor about your symptoms, an examination of the skin and scalp, and possibly a skin biopsy or a cell scraping panel. The skin biopsy is sometimes necessary to confirm the diagnosis and to rule out other types of dermatitis. Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis Over the counter shampoos containing such odd sounding ingredients such as salicylic acid, coal tar, selenium sulfide, sulfur, and zinc pyrithione are the most common treatment method. They should be massaged into the infected area of the scalp or body and allowed to sit for several minutes before rinsing. If the over the counter shampoo fails to produce the intended results your doctor may prescribe a stronger shampoo that contains ketoconazole. Because shampoos may lose their effectiveness over time, rotating a few different shampoos is generally considered to be the most effective, and long lasting, way to go. If in spite of treatment seborrheic dermatitis can be stubborn and may continues to persist. If this happens your doctor may suggest an over the counter or prescription hydrocortisone lotion, or an overnight coal tar preparation for the scalp. If facial skin is involved a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory cream containing ketoconazole or ciclopirox may be prescribed. What else? There are a number of very basic self care strategies that can prove helpful in managing this condition. These would include shampooing daily, trying an over the counter antifungal cream such as Lotrimin, avoiding harsh soaps and detergents, wearing lose fitting cotton clothing, and avoid scratching whenever possible.
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