Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a non-contagious condition that causes flaking and redness of the skin. It occurs when there is inflammation in areas of the skin where sebaceous (skin oil) glands are concentrated. It usually affects the scalp, but can also affect other parts of the body, such as eyebrows, eyelids, the folds of the nose, lips, behind or inside the ears, in the external ear, the forehead and the chin and the skin of the trunk, particularly around the navel, in the skin folds under the arms, in the groin, or under the breasts.

Seborrheic dermatitis appears to run in families. Stress, fatigue, weather extremes, oily skin, infrequent shampoos or skin cleaning, use of lotions that contain alcohol, or skin disorders such as acne or obesity may increase the risk. Neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease, head injury, and stroke can also be associated with seborrheic dermatitis. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is also associated with higher incidence.

Seborrheic dermatitis can be unpleasant and uncomfortable, and is usually unattractive. It can disappear spontaneously and suddenly reappear, for no known reason. Or it can stubbornly linger, resisting treatment. But as frustrating as it can be, it is readily diagnosed and is treatable.

Identifying the Cause of Dermatitis

The steps taken to identify the cause of dermatitis are akin to a detective story, in which a few clues may lead to a suspected allergen or irritant. Try to remember anything that changed prior to the reaction. Was there any change in clothing, detergents, personal care items, behaviors, habits, or foods? A specific area of the body may point to a possible offender.

For instance, if dermatitis is confined to the eyelids, the culprit may be a recent change in makeup procedures. The preservatives, vehicles, or colorants in eye makeup or eyelid cleansing products should be reviewed. Hair care products, eyelash curlers, or other facial cosmetics may also be the cause.

If an allergy to a ring has developed, often, there will be a ring of dermatitis under the ring. If the ring is a gold alloy, allergy to nickel in the ring is possible, but the probable cause is a detergent or other product to which the hands are exposed. An allergen or irritant residue can remain under the ring, where dermatitis eventually develops. To reduce this problem it is best to remove the ring until the hands are thoroughly washed and completely dried.

Parents may find that a child has dermatitis around the mouth. If the irritation extends in a complete circle at least one or more inches out from the lips, the culprit may be lip-licking. The child may have a nervous habit of licking the lips and face as far as the tongue will extend. Oral fluids are irritating to skin with constant exposure, and the child needs to be taught that licking causes the problem rather than soothes it. Other causes of lip inflammation include lip makeup, ingestion of oranges, apples, mangoes, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and kiwi.

An underappreciated sensitizer is neomycin; a component of the most commonly sold topical antibiotic products (e.g., Mycitracin, Neosporin). These products are only safe for preventing infections in minor injuries. If a person develops an allergic reaction when using them as directed, they must be immediately discontinued. Since the appearance of an allergy to neomycin can cause cross-sensitivities with other aminoglycosides, such as gentamicin, one should choose a topical antibiotic free of neomycin.

Patients using veterinary products, such as Bag Balm, as hand softening agents may develop a quinolone sensitivity. In order to avoid this, you should be urged to only use products labeled for human use. Benzocaine is a sensitizer that is found in topical products for itch, burns, dermatitis, canker sores, insect bites, teething, and hemorrhoids. If you develop a sensitivity to these products, an alternate local anesthetics (e.g., pramoxine) should be chosen.

Treating Dermatitis with Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree oil: - Tea tree oil (Melaleuca oil) is the essential oil distilled from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel. It is popular and shown to be beneficial in the treatment of various skin problems including onychomycosis,tinea pedis and acne. However, Hawaiian researchers have found that tea tree oil can cause allergic contact eczema.

The researchers monitored 7 patients who were patch tested with Finn Chambers to a 1% solution (vol/vol) of tea tree oil and 1% solutions (vol/vol) of 11 of its constituent compounds to try and establish which constituents of the tea tree oil were responsible for the contact eczema.

The results revealed that of the seven patients reactive to the 1% melaleuca oil solution, six patients also reacted to limonene, five to alpha-terpinene and aromadendrene, 2 to terpinen-4-ol, and one each to p-cymene and alpha-phellandrene. d-Carvone, an autooxidative derivative of limonene, caused no reactions among the seven patients. The researchers concluded that d-Limonene was the most common allergen causing allergic contact eczema in the patients.

A further report in the journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology (United Kingdom)
also identified tea tree oil as a possible cause of relapsing eczema in a 53 year old woman who had prolonged exposure to the oil. The report also found the woman was also allergic to other essential oils including lavender, jasmine, rosewood (which may have been due to prolonged exposure to the oils) as well as laurel, eucalyptus and pomerance (to which the woman had not been previously exposed). The report highlights the importance of treating essential oils with respect and seeking professional advice when using the oils (especially if using them for prolonged periods).

References: Vol 1,Issue2, 7. Vol 1,Issue3, 9.Vol 1,Issue4, 9. Knight T.E.; Hausen B.M. Melaleuca oil (tea tree oil) dermatitis. J. AM. ACAD. DERMATOL. (USA) , 1994, 30/3 (423-427) Schaller M.S.; Korting H.C. Allergic airborne contact dermatitis from essential oils used in aromatherapy Dermatologische Klinik/Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, Frauenlobs trasse 9-11, D-80337 Munchen Germany. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology (United Kingdom) , 1995, 20/2 (143-145)

Elidel for Treatment of Dermatitis

Elidel is a prescription topical medication for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema.

Elidel is for use on the skin only .

Elidel is for adults and children age 2 years and older.

You can use Elidel for short or intermittent long periods of treatment. Intermittent means starting and stopping repeatedly, as directed by your doctor.

You can use it on all affected areas of your skin, including your face and neck.

When is Elidel not recommended?

If you are pregnant or a nursing mother, you should use Elidel only if your doctor determines that it is clearly necessary. It is not known if the medicine in Elidel will pass through your milk to the baby.

If you have a skin condition called Netherton's syndrome, ask your doctor before you start using Elidel.

If you are allergic to Elidel or any of its ingredients. The active ingredient is pimecrolimus. If you need to know the inactive ingredients, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you think you have a viral infection of your skin, such as chicken pox or herpes, do not apply Elidel on these areas. Check with your doctor about what to do.

General Precautions with Elidel:
Avoid sunlight and sun lamps, tanning beds, and treatment with UVA or UVB light. If you need to be outdoors after applying Elidel, wear loose fitting clothing that protects the treated area from the sun. In addition, ask your doctor what other type of protection from the sun you should use.


Before you start using Elidel, tell your doctor if you are using any other prescription medicines, non-prescription (over-the-counter) medicines, supplements or herbal medicines. Some medicines should be used carefully if you use Elidel.

Notify your doctor if you are receiving any form of light therapy (phototherapy, UVA or UVB) on your skin.

Tell your doctor about any other products or medicatins you are using.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, Elidel may not be right for you.

Some possible side effects of Elidel include but are not limited to:

The most common side effect at the site of application is burning or a feeling of warmth. The burning feeling is usually mild or moderate, occurring in the first 5 days of treatment, and the burning usually clears up in a few days. See your doctor if an application site reaction is severe or persists for more than 1 week.

Other common side effects include headache, and with long-term intermittent use, nasopharyngitis (common cold/stuffy nose), influenza, pharyngitis (sore throat), fever, viral infection, and cough. Some people may get herpes skin infections (like cold sores, chicken pox, or shingles), warts, or swollen lymph nodes (glands).

See your doctor if side effects continue or become a problem.