Seborrhoeic Dermatitis

Adult and Infantile Seborrhoeic dermatitis: Symptoms and Treatment

Adult seborrhoeic dermatitis is a skin inflammation or a type of eczema, a skin disorder affecting the scalp, face and trunk causing scaly, flaky, itchy, red skin. It particularly affects the sebum-gland rich areas of skin. Temporary or permanent hair loss may manifest on the scalp, especially if the condition is left untreated. Seborrhoeic eczema should be diagnosed and efficiently treated.

Its cause is unknown, but the condition is associated with an immunologic reaction to the fungus malassezia furfur, or pityrosporum ovale. Other factors are also involved: genetic, environmental, hormonal, and immune-system factors. The skin of patients suffering from seborroeic eczema has a pathologic epidermic reaction to infection and even harmless microorganisms.

The patient or person suffering from this condition may have severe dandruff and dry scalp. Aggravations may sometimes be associated with allergy to something, over exposure to the sun or a hair chemical application gone wrong. This condition can be aggravated by stress in adults, just like most skin diseases.

Treatment of Adult Seborrhoeic Dermatitis

Natural treatments that give good results:

Essential Oils will be effective for all eczemas.

Tamanu oil will cure most cases of seborrhoeic eczema.

Certain herbal formulas have shown to be most helpful. Click here to read about the best herbal cure.

Consider also the herbal medicine Skin Dr. It is known to bring eczemas to silence for long periods.

Good Allopathic Approaches and prescriptions:

There are three types of remedies that are used; anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and ceratolytic remedies:

Coal tar, ciclopiroxolamine, ketoconazole (anti fungal remedy), selenium sulfide or zinc pyrithionite may be used with good results. For severe disease, keratolytics like salicylic acid or coal tar preparations may be used to remove the crusts. Topical terbenafine solution or cream (1%) (anti fungal remedy) has also been shown to be effective. Lotions containing alpha hydroxy acids, corticosteroids and even pimecrolimus (the new medicine for atopic dermatitis) may also be applied topically.

A dermatologist or general practitioner should be consulted. Some of the treatments may cause unwanted side effects if continued for too long. This is especially true for corticosteroids.

UV-A and UV-B light inhibit the growth of M. Furfur, and may therefore be helpful, although caution should be taken to avoid UV-overdosage and sun damage to the skin, as this may cause aggravations.

Those with seborrheic dermatitis might benefit from biotin supplements.

Infantile Seborrhoeic Dermatitis (Cradle Cap)

Infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis is called “cradle cap”. This is a scalp condition in children of less than one year of age. The symptoms are similar to those in adults. The area is covered with thick waxy scales that may coalesce to a thick, greasy-looking, yellow scaly layers of dead skin cells. In most cases the parents are more concerned and troubled than the child. Cradle cap is a benign, self limiting skin disease and usually won’t require treatment. It usually clears during the first 12-24 months. Cradle cap usually occurs at the back of the head, but can affect the entire scalp and upper face. It affects both sexes. Findings may include:

Plaques around ears, nose and eyebrows

Sharply demarcated brightly erythematous rash in groin and perianal area (may be confused with ammoniacal dermatitis or candidiasis or thrush.

Itching

Excoriation of the skin where the child has scratched.

"Dandruff"

Loss of small amounts of hair in the area of the plaques

Patches of redness surrounding the plaques

Areas of secondary bacterial infection where scratching has occurred

Treatment of Infantile Seborrhoeic Dermatitis

Most cases need no treatment. If parents want their child to get rid of it sooner rather than later, the following strategies may be used:

Essential Oils will be effective for cradle cap or infantile seborroeic eczema.

Tamanu oil will cure seborroeic eczema.

Certain herbal formulas have shown to be most helpful. Click here to read about the best herbal cure.

Consider also the herbal medicine Skin Dr. It is known to bring eczemas to silence for long periods.

Specific shampoos can reduce the symptoms of the disease. Any shampoo product that contains selenium sulfide or coal tar is said to be effective in managing the condition. Be careful of any product that has ingredients that you are sensitive of. There are products specifically made for sensitive scalp.

Use products that have natural ingredients that are not harsh towards the skin. Rosemary and Neem Oil, Lavendel and Tea Tree Oil are also good remedies because they are natural antimicrobials. They will help to stop the itching and heal the infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis easily.