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eborrheic dermatitis is a fancy name for what I refer to as “dandruff of the skin.”
Characterized by symmetrically distributed, red, scaly, and greasy patches, seborrheic dermatitis is a condition – not really a disease – that dermatologists can diagnosis just by looking at you. It doesn’t take fancy blood tests, sophisticated laboratory analyses, or microscopic examination of a piece of skin to prove conclusively that you do, indeed, have seborrheic dermatitis. All it takes is a dermatologist’s scrupulous eye.
Seborrheic dermatitis, affecting between 3% to 5% of the population, is one of the most common skin disorders seen by practicing dermatologists. It affects people with Parkinson’s disease and about 90% of those infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). It is not serious, infectious, contagious or malignant.
Like hundreds of other skin ailments, no one knows what causes this mainly cosmetic problem. And, as with so many other disorders, there are many theories concerning the “why” of this common, but troublesome problem. These theories include the following:
A recent theory proposes that seborrheic dermatitis results from a defect in your body’s defense against certain germs that live on the surface of your skin. Actually, no one knows . . . .
There is a condition in infants called “cradle cap,” where the scalp is covered with thick, yellowish-brown, greasy crusts, and where the hair becomes sticky and matted. This common disorder is thought to be due to leftover hormones that have been passed on to the susceptible infant from his or her mother. These maternal hormones act to stimulate the sebaceous (oil) glands in the scalp, with the result that there is a marked production of an oily secretion – sebum. This sebum is responsible for “cradle cap” – the earliest manifestation of seborrheic dermatitis.
Shortly after birth, activity in these sebaceous glands diminishes, with the result that you will almost never have seborrheic dermatitis during your childhood. When you reach puberty, however, your developing sex glands begin to stimulate these quiescent “oil formers,” which then increase in size and become very active. If you have seborrheic dermatitis, you will notice that the condition begins on your scalp in the form of redness and diffuse scaling.
In addition to this “heavy dandruff,” you’ll find that your hair gets greasy and your scalp may itch. Scaly, pink, crust- like patches may begin to form around your hairline. Other areas of your body rich in oil glands often develop patches as well: your eyebrows, the areas over and behind your ears, your ear canals, the sides of your nose, your forehead, your chest and armpits.
If you are a young man, you may develop these patches in your beard, your sideburns, and your mustache area. In certain cases, you may have the rash on your chest, back, and pubic region. Some people develop it in the body folds: the groins, the armpits, under the breasts, and in the belly button.
Your rash may or may not itch.
A special case of seborrheic dermatitis occurs when the margins of the eyelids become red and covered with small white scales or yellowish crusts.
Since seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic and recurring condition, flare-ups at odd moments are common. These occur more often in colder months.
Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis is directed at minimizing the symptoms, rather than curing the disorder permanently. Persistent, regular, and repeated treatment should give you good control over this annoying ailment.
Here are a dozen suggestions for managing and living with your seborrheic dermatitis:
Specific treatment for seborrheic dermatitis will depend on the location of the rash and how extensive it is. In mild cases of seborrheic dermatitis, when the scalp is the only area that is affected, frequent and conscientious shampooing with an anti-dandruff shampoo may be all that is necessary. In the more stubborn cases, and when the patches are extensive, you should consult your dermatologist.
The time-honored topical medications used in treating seborrheic dermatitis are sulfur, tar, salicylic acid, and low-strength cortisone-type creams and lotions. Many of these are prescription items that must be prescribed by your dermatologist. Some dermatologists, believing that a fungus causes the condition, will prescribe Nizoral, an anti-fungal cream.
For the stubborn variety of this common ailment, other methods – injections, stronger cortisone-like creams and lotions, and other topical preparations – may be necessary.
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For more information about seborrheic dermatitis, contact: National Institute of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases National Institutes of Health 1 AMS Circle Bethesda, MD 20892-3675 301-495-4484 www.nih.gov/niams or www.aad.org 1-888-462-DERM x22 or www.familydoctor.org/handouts/157.html |
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| TREATING SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS |
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When treating seborrheic dermatitis, it's important to shampoo as often as possible, preferably daily. Try any of the following shampoos:
Tarsum Shampoo
T-Gel Shampoo
DHS Tar Shampoo
Head & Shoulders Shampoot
Directions for use are on each label.
Apply a hydrocortisone preparation to the affected areas 2 or 3 times daily. Use either of the following:
Cort-Aid Cream
Cort-Aid Ointment
Directions for use are on each container.
Use a mild soap substitute or cleanser for your face, such as:
Cetaphil or
Purpose
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