Treating Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition characterized by chronic inflammation, redness and scaling of the skin. It occurs when the sebaceous glands produce too much natural oil (sebum). Yeast (and sometimes bacteria) can grow in the sebum, causing chronic itching, redness, flaking and drying of the skin. Some people confuse the condition with dandruff. However, dandruff only causes scaling. Seborrheic dermatitis causes both scaling and redness.
Seborrheic dermatitis can occur at any age, but is most common in three age groups - infants, middle aged adults and the elderly. In infants, the condition is also known as cradle cap. Babies may develop thick, crusty, yellowish scales in their heads. In most cases, the condition clears up on its own by 12 months.
In adults, seborrheic dermatitis may occur on the scalp, nose, eyebrows, eyelids, behind the ears, ear canals and the middle of the chest. Some patients also develop patches around the belly button, armpits, breasts, buttocks or groin. The symptoms can come and go and may vary in severity. Stress, fatigue, changes in humidity or weather, oily skin and infrequent cleansing or shampooing can exacerbate the symptoms. For some patients, symptoms can cause a great deal of embarrassment.
There is no cure for seborrheic dermatitis. However, treatments can often control the symptoms. Over-the-counter shampoos containing tar, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole or salicylic acid are often effective. Patients may need to try more than one type of shampoo or cleanser to find the one that works best. Frequent shampooing or leaving the lather or cleanser on the scalp (or skin) for longer periods of time increases the effectiveness of the products. Some doctors recommend rotating between different shampoos for the best control.
When symptoms don't respond to over-the-counter treatments, prescription steroids may be applied to the area once or twice a day. Long-term use of steroids is usually discouraged because they can sometimes make the symptoms more difficult to treat. In more severe cases, doctors may recommend keeping medication on the area overnight.
Seborrheic dermatitis can occur at any age, but is most common in three age groups - infants, middle aged adults and the elderly. In infants, the condition is also known as cradle cap. Babies may develop thick, crusty, yellowish scales in their heads. In most cases, the condition clears up on its own by 12 months.
In adults, seborrheic dermatitis may occur on the scalp, nose, eyebrows, eyelids, behind the ears, ear canals and the middle of the chest. Some patients also develop patches around the belly button, armpits, breasts, buttocks or groin. The symptoms can come and go and may vary in severity. Stress, fatigue, changes in humidity or weather, oily skin and infrequent cleansing or shampooing can exacerbate the symptoms. For some patients, symptoms can cause a great deal of embarrassment.
There is no cure for seborrheic dermatitis. However, treatments can often control the symptoms. Over-the-counter shampoos containing tar, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole or salicylic acid are often effective. Patients may need to try more than one type of shampoo or cleanser to find the one that works best. Frequent shampooing or leaving the lather or cleanser on the scalp (or skin) for longer periods of time increases the effectiveness of the products. Some doctors recommend rotating between different shampoos for the best control.
When symptoms don't respond to over-the-counter treatments, prescription steroids may be applied to the area once or twice a day. Long-term use of steroids is usually discouraged because they can sometimes make the symptoms more difficult to treat. In more severe cases, doctors may recommend keeping medication on the area overnight.
posted by Madison @ 11:12 AM
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