Seborrheic Dermatitis

Providing the most advanced Seborrheic Dermatitis Treatments

What are Seborrheic Dermatitis symptoms?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a very common skin disorder that is easily treated. It appears as a red, scaly, itchy rash, and is most commonly seen on the scalp, sides of the nose, eyebrows, eyelids, skin behind the ears, and middle of the chest. Other areas, such as the navel (belly button), buttocks, skin folds under the arms, axillary regions, breasts, and groin, may also be involved. While itching can occur, but is usually painless unless it becomes infected.

What is the difference in dandruff, seborrhea and seborrheic dermatitis?

Dandruff appears as scaling on the scalp without redness. Seborrhea is excessive oiliness of the skin, especially of the scalp and face, without redness or scaling. Patients with seborrhea may later develop seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis has both redness and scaling.

Who is likely to get seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis is most common in three age groups — infancy when it’s called "cradle cap," middle age, and the elderly. Cradle cap usually clears without treatment by age 8 to 12 months. In some infants, seborrheic dermatitis may develop only in the diaper area where it could be confused with other forms of diaper rash. When seborrheic dermatitis develops at other ages it can come and go. Seborrheic dermatitis may be seasonally aggravated particularly in northern climates; it is common in people with oily skin or hair, and may be seen with acne or psoriasis. A yeast-like organism may be involved in causing seborrheic dermatitis.

Is seborrheic dermatitis associated with other diseases?

Seborrheic dermatitis may occur in patients with diseases of the nervous system, such as Parkinson’s disease. Patients recovering from stressful medical conditions, such as a heart attack, may also develop this problem. People in hospitals or nursing homes and those with immune system disorders appear to be more prone to this disorder as well.

How long does seborrheic dermatitis last?

Seborrheic dermatitis may get better on its own, but with regular treatments, the condition improves quickly.

Treating Seborrheic Dermatitis

There is no way to prevent or cure seborrheic dermatitis. However, it can be controlled with treatment. For most patients, there is no need to perform blood, urine, or allergy tests. In rare cases of chronic seborrheic dermatitis that do not respond to treatment, a skin biopsy or other laboratory testing may be done to eliminate the possibility of another disease.

• Gentle shampooing with a mild shampoo is helpful for infants with cradle cap.
• Mild corticosteroid creams and lotions, or anti-fungal topicals such as ciclopirox or ketoconazole, may be applied to the affected areas of skin.
• Adult patients may need to use a medicated shampoo and a stronger corticosteroid preparation.
• Non-prescription shampoos containing tar, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, and/or salicylic acid may be recommended by a dermatologist, or a prescription shampoo, cream gel, or foam may be given.
• Be sure to follow your dermatologist’s instructions, as excessive use of stronger preparations can cause side effects.

 

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