Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that could cause scaly and itchy rashes on your scalp. This skin condition is characterised by greasy, scaly and flaky skin on the scalp. This skin disease can also affect other parts of your body such as the sides of the nose, skin behind or inside the ears, groin, chest, arms and legs. Wondering what causes seborrheic dermatitis and who might be at an increased risk of developing this condition? Well, people who have an oily skin are definitely more susceptible to developing seborrheic dermatitis. In this article, we would be looking into the causes and symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis along with seborrheic dermatitis treatment options.

Causes of Seborrheic Dermatitis

There is a lack of conclusive evidence regarding the exact causes of this inflammatory skin disorder. It is believed that this condition might be caused due to yeast called Malassezia. This skin condition appears to run in families. At times, immune system related factors might have a role to play. Those who suffer from seborrhea are most likely to suffer from this inflammatory skin disease. Seborrhea is a condition that is characterised by overactive sebaceous glands. These are cutaneous glands that produce an oily substance called sebum. Sebum lubricates skin as well as hair. Excessive production of sebum could make one susceptible to scalp problems such as dandruff. Use of cosmetic products could also be responsible for causing seborrheic dermatitis. Infants and small children up to the age of three years can also suffer from seborrheic dermatitis. In case of infants or young children, this condition is medically referred to as cradle cap. Cradle cap is characterised by thick, yellow or brown scales on the baby's scalp, eyelids, nose or the groin area. Sometimes scaly skin might be accompanied by itchiness and inflammation.

Symptoms:

Greasy skin Flaky skin Redness Inflammation Itchiness

Treatments:

The treatment of seborrheic dermatitis on scalp includes the use of medicated, antifungal or anti-dandruff shampoos. Several over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoos are available in the market. To use these shampoos, you need to gently rub the shampoo on the scalp. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse well. This will surely help you in getting rid of the scaly skin or dandruff. These non-prescription shampoos generally contain salicylic acid, selenium sulphide, ketoconazole or zinc pyrithione. If these shampoos are not helping you, you could also visit a dermatologist. A dermatologist might prescribe medicated shampoos, corticosteroid creams or lotions. If you have dandruff, you must use one of these shampoos daily. Use medicated shampoo 2 or 3 times a week once this scalp problem is under control. You can use a medicated lotion or cream for treating facial seborrheic dermatitis. Dermatitis of the scalp in infants is medically referred to as cradle cap. If your baby is suffering from this problem, gently massage your little one's scalp so that the scales on the scalp loosen. You can also apply mild shampoo on your baby's scalp. Use a very soft brush to loosen the scales on your baby's scalp. If this doesn't help, massage your baby's scalp with a mineral oil. Wet a cloth using lukewarm water and wrap it around your baby's head for some time. Make sure that the cloth remains warm. This might loosen the scaly skin. Shampoo your baby's hair with the mild shampoo. If this doesn't seem to help, consult a doctor.