Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common form of dermatitis that affects the scalp. Although it rarely causes serious harm to your body, it can be irritating owing to the content dryness and itching affecting the scalp skin. Fortunately, seborrheic dermatitis can go away independently with the right skincare routine. Also, your dermatologist (a doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the skin, hair, and nails) can recommend a combination of treatment options to treat the condition. Let's delve into who gets seborrheic dermatitis, why it forms, common symptoms, and treatment options. 

What is Seborrheic Dermatitis?

“Seborrheic” means sebaceous glands, and “derm” refers to the skin. It is a common, non-contagious skin condition that usually affects the scalp. This dermatitis causes itchy, red patches and greasy scales on the skin, along with white or yellow crusty or powdery flakes on your scalp. When seborrheic dermatitis develops in an infant, it is referred to as “cradle cap,” while in a teenager, it is referred to as “dandruff.” 

Seborrheic dermatitis is a life-long condition that appears, disappears, reappears, and may flare up occasionally. Apart from the scalp, you can also develop this condition in areas with excess sebaceous gland activity, such as your chest, nose, behind your ears, navel, eyebrows, under your breasts, creases of your arms, legs, and groin. 

Who Gets Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Research studies believe that seborrheic dermatitis affects almost 11% of the population. It develops in infants under three years old and adults aged 30 to 60. It is more common in women than men. 

The following conditions make you more prone to develop seborrheic dermatitis:

• Having an oily skin
• Having a family history of psoriasis 
• Living in a dry, cold region 
• Having healthy issues like:
• Being an organ transplant recipient
• HIV
• Adult Hodgkin’s lymphoma 
• Adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma 
• Having psychiatric disorders like depression

• Having neurological diseases like:

     Epilepsy

     Parkinson's disease

     Facial nerve palsy

     Spinal cord injury 

• Having congenital disorder like Down syndrome 
• Taking psychotropic medications like lithium, chlorpromazine, and buspirone

What Causes Seborrheic Dermatitis? What Can Trigger the Condition?

Researchers are still not sure what exactly causes seborrheic dermatitis. However, the following factors are thought to play a role in developing the condition:

• A type of yeast called Malassezia 
• An increase in the androgen levels 
• An increase in the levels of skin lipids
• An inflammatory reaction
• A family history of dermatitis 

Furthermore, certain factors may trigger or aggravate the condition, including:

• Stress
• Recovery from a stressful event 
• Dry and cold climate 
• Illness 
• Hormonal changes 
• Harsh detergents or soaps 
• Oily skin 
• Using alcohol-based lotions 
• History of other skin disorders like acne, rosacea, and psoriasis

What Are the Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis?

You can experience the following symptoms when affected by seborrheic dermatitis:

• Itchy, dry flakes of the skin on your scalp
• Red scales on your skin
• Crusty yellow scales on the infant’s head are known as cradle caps. These may become inflamed and cause a break in the skin, leading to bleeding or mild infection.
• Scaly redness on the edges of your eyelids known as blepharitis 
• Pinkish plaques of scales on both sides of your face 
• Flaky patches on your chest
• Flaky, dry patches near your hairline that are shaped like a flower petal
• Redness in the folds and creases of your genitals, armpits, and beneath your breasts 
• Inflamed hair follicles on your cheeks and upper half of your trunk

How is Seborrheic Dermatitis Diagnosed?

A dermatologist easily diagnoses seborrheic dermatitis due to its appearance on the affected skin and its location of occurrence. No additional blood or urine tests are required to diagnose the condition. However, if it does not respond to any treatment, your doctor may recommend a skin biopsy to rule out other skin conditions. 

How is Seborrheic Dermatitis Treated? 

Seborrheic dermatitis in infants usually resolves on its own. However, when it affects teenagers and adults, prompt treatment is required. This depends on the area of your body affected and the severity of the condition. The goal of treating seborrheic dermatitis is to minimize the signs, itching, and redness. Treatment includes the following:

Prescription Medications 

• Antifungal gels, creams, lotions, and shampoos using either 2% ketoconazole or 1% ciclopirox. Use medicated shampoos 1 or 2 times for several weeks. 
• Creams, ointments, or lotions that manage inflammation. Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids to manage inflammatory reactions. 
• Oral antifungal medications 

Lifestyle and Home Remedies 

• Wash your scalp regularly to keep it clean and free from germs and debris. 
• Soften and remove scales from your scalp by applying mineral oil or peanut oil 
• Do not use extremely hot water to wash your scalp. Instead, use warm water with prescription soap or shampoo
• Apply a medicated cream to your scalp, such as corticosteroid creams, lotions, gels, and foams 
• Avoid using hair styling products that can harm your hair follicles and aggravate seborrheic dermatitis 
• Avoid using alcohol-based hair products 
• Clean your eyelids gently with lukewarm water each night. Do not let them get clogged, especially by makeup.

Bottom Line

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common, non-contagious skin condition mainly affecting the scalp in infants and adults. Although not harmful, it can be extremely irritating due to dry, itchy skin flakes or scales that may appear as dandruff. If you notice such symptoms, consult a dermatologist for further evaluation and treatment. 

FAQs

1. Are Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff the Same?

Dandruff is often considered a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis. Both conditions cause dry, white-to-yellow, itchy scales. Both conditions are often treated in the same way. But the distinguishing feature is that dandruff develops only on the scalp, while seborrheic dermatitis can develop in other areas as well, like on the ears, eyelids, eyebrows, beard, or the skin around the nostrils. 

2. Does seborrheic dermatitis cause hair loss?

No, seborrheic dermatitis does not cause hair loss, even though it affects the skin on the scalp. You are only bound to notice red, dry, itchy, scaly patches on the scalp near the hairline, resembling a flower petal. 

3. How can I reduce my risk of developing seborrheic dermatitis?

Some simple healthy things you can do to reduce your risk of developing seborrheic dermatitis include:

• Manage stress
• Get plenty of sleep and rest 
• Get your daily dose of sunlight 
• Avoid excessive sun exposure from 10 am to 4 pm
• Eat a healthy and nutritious diet 
• Avoid heating curls and irons
• Avoid harmful hair products and styling techniques