Seborrheic dermatitis is a superficial skin inflammation affecting the head, eyebrows, region around the nose and lips, earlobes, chest, central back, genitals.
One in ten people is thought to have some form of seborrheic dermatitis. Men and people with oily skin are more prone to it.
Babies younger than 3 months and adolescents are also affected.
Seborrheic dermatitisis characterized by scaling skin and redness. Itching canbe extremely severe or non-existent.
Dandruff is a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis affecting the scalp and can have much more severe forms with thick solid patches, psoriasis-like deposits, that can be moist sometimes. It can cover the entire scalp.
When found on the armpit and intimate area, it is difficult to distinguish it from inverse psoriasis or fungal infection.
The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown. Genetics are believed to play an important role in its development. Malassezia is a fungus that is a common inhabitant of the skin. With seborrheic dermatitis, the conditions for the development of this fungus are very favourable, so it can be found in grater quantities. Although the severity of this eczema is due to the fungus, it is not an infectious disease.
Seborrheic dermatitis does not cause hair loss but can affect hair growth. Stalno češanje može oštetiti koren dlake a povećana količina gljivica može usporiti njen rast. Malassezia furfur is a fungus that leads to the development oxidative stress, which affects hair growth. With adequate disease control, the previous hair quality returns.
Stress and changes in hormonal status can worsen the condition.
Seborrheic dermatitis can be accompanied by neurological and psychiatric diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, depression, alcoholism, eating disorders.
The cold winter period causes the development of more severe and persistent forms. Lack of sun, dry skin, reduced physical activity or stress create stronger inflammation and require more intensive therapy in order to adequately control the condition. The use of alcoholic lotions, soaps, aggressive facial cleansers has a negative effect on seborrheic dermatitis, regardless of the fact that the skin looks oily. At the basis of seborrheic dermatitis is an imbalance in the skin’s fatty acids.
The therapy is as different as the etiology of this disease is. Considering that this is basically a chronic eczema, corticosteroids or immunomodulators are used in the therapy. Antifungals can be included to reduce the amount of fungi on the surface. Sometimes it is necessary to treat the underlying disease in order for the seborrheic dermatitis to recede. Enough sleep, controlled sun exposure, with a reduced amount of stress act like a corticosteroid cream on this disease.
