Do you need information on seborrheic dermatitis treatment? Scroll down to find out more about the causes, symptoms and treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that could cause scaly and itchy rashes on your scalp. This skin condition is characterized by greasy, scaly and flaky skin on the scalp. This skin disease can also affect other parts of your body such as the sides of the nose, skin behind or inside the ears, groin, chest, arms and legs. Wondering what causes seborrheic dermatitis and who might be at an increased risk of developing this condition? Well, people who have an oily skin are definitely more susceptible to developing seborrheic dermatitis. In this article, we would be looking into the causes and symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis along with seborrheic dermatitis treatment options.
Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Greasy skin
- Flaky skin
- Redness
- Inflammation
- Itchiness
Causes of Seborrheic Dermatitis
There is a lack of conclusive evidence regarding the exact causes of this inflammatory skin disorder. It is believed that this condition might be caused due to a yeast called Malassezia. This skin condition appears to run in families. At times, immune system related factors might have a role to play. Those who suffer from seborrhea are most likely to suffer from this inflammatory skin disease. Seborrhea is a condition that is characterized by overactive sebaceous glands. These are cutaneous glands that produce an oily substance called sebum. Sebum lubricates skin as well as hair. Excessive production of sebum could make one susceptible to scalp problems such as dandruff. Use of cosmetic products could also be responsible for causing seborrheic dermatitis. Infants and small children up to the age of three years can also suffer from seborrheic dermatitis. In case of infants or young children, this condition is medically referred to as cradle cap. Cradle cap is characterized by thick, yellow or brown scales on the baby’s scalp, eyelids, nose or the groin area. Sometimes scaly skin might be accompanied by itchiness and inflammation.
Treatment Options for Seborrheic Dermatitis
The treatment of seborrheic dermatitis on scalp includes the use of medicated, antifungal or anti-dandruff shampoos. Several over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoos are available in the market. To use these shampoos, you need to gently rub the shampoo on the scalp. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse well. This will surely help you in getting rid of the scaly skin or dandruff. These non-prescription shampoos generally contain salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole or zinc pyrithione. If these shampoos are not helping you, you could also visit a dermatologist. A dermatologist might prescribe medicated shampoos, corticosteroid creams or lotions. If you have dandruff, you must use one of these shampoos daily. Once this scalp problem in under control, use medicated shampoo 2 or 3 times a week. You can use a medicated lotion or cream for treating facial seborrheic dermatitis.
Dermatitis of the scalp in infants is medically referred to as cradle cap. If your baby is suffering from this problem, gently massage your little one’s scalp so that the scales on the scalp loosen. You can also apply mild shampoo on your baby’s scalp. Use a very soft brush to loosen the scales on your baby’s scalp. If this doesn’t help, massage your baby’s scalp with a mineral oil. Wet a cloth using lukewarm water and wrap it around your baby’s head for some time. Make sure that the cloth remains warm. This might loosen the scaly skin. Shampoo your baby’s hair with the mild shampoo. If this doesn’t seem to help, consult a doctor. Medicated creams and lotions might be prescribed by the doctor for seborrheic dermatitis treatment for infants.
You can also follow home remedies for treating seborrheic dermatitis naturally. One of the best natural dandruff cures is to massage your scalp with coconut oil or olive oil. Comb your hair to loosen the dry flaky skin. You could also boil neem leaves in water. Once it cools down, separate the neem leaves and massage this neem solution on your scalp. You can also apply a mixture of tea tree oil and aloe vera gel to your scalp. Leave it on for an hour and wash it off. You could also apply cut onion to your scalp to get rid of the flaky skin.
This was a brief overview on seborrheic dermatitis. If you are suffering from this inflammatory skin condition, use the aforementioned remedies and get ready to say goodbye to the dry, itchy and scaly skin.
