Need to know about Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin disorder wherein people experience red, inflamed, scaly, and flaky patches on the skin. This mainly affects skin where there are a lot of oil-producing i.e. sebaceous glands like the scalp, mid-face, ears, back, chest, eyelashes, and eyebrows. This condition is also referred to as dandruff and it looks similar to other skin disorders like Eczema, Psoriasis, and skin allergies.

Overview of Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory and recurrent condition that affects people of all age groups. Starting from infants to elders, all age groups can get affected. In children, it mainly affects the scalp (cradle cap) and diaper area.

It mostly affects people with oily skin and is more common in men than in women. The exact reason for this condition is not known, but it is believed that several factors like excess oil secretion, yeast problems due to Malassezia, hormonal imbalance, low immunity, weather changes, and genetics play key roles. Risk factors of seborrheic dermatitis include acne, psoriasis, obesity, depression, eating disorders, smoking, alcoholism, stress, and Parkinson’s disease.

Seborrheic dermatitis is not a contagious issue. In few cases, seborrheic dermatitis clears up on its own, whereas in most cases treatment is required as it flares up again. One can control it with few home remedies and proper skincare like washing your skin with mild soaps, using anti-fungal and so on.

Symptoms of Seborrheic dermatitis

The symptoms and severity of seborrheic dermatitis differ in children and elders. Few common seborrheic dermatitis symptoms include

Presence of dandruff on different areas like scalp, hair, eyebrows, and so on.
Thick red and inflamed patchy scales on scalp and body
Itching sensation
Hair loss is seen in the affected area
The affected area or patches looks greasy and oily.

Symptoms of Seborrheic dermatitis in infants include the formation of yellow, thick, and oily crust along the hairline and scalp. These patches are usually not itchy. In infants, the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis resolve by themselves within few days and do not require any treatment, whereas in elders the symptoms may last for years and may need treatment.

Seborrheic scalp eczema

Seborrheic scalp eczema is a type of eczema that particularly affects the scalp. People with this condition experience red, itchy, flaky, scaly, and oily patches on their scalp. Factors like genetics, low immunity, stress, weather changes, a fungus called Malassezia, and several others lead to scalp eczema. People with diseases like AIDS / HIV are more prone to this type of disorder as they have low immunity. In severe cases, scalp eczema may also spread to other areas of the body like eyebrows, elbows, back, and so on. Even though both scalp eczema and dandruff look alike, there is a huge difference between them. People with scalp eczema face greasy and yellowish flakes along with inflammation, whereas dandruff is non-inflammatory in nature. Hair loss is the most common symptom seen in people with seborrheic scalp eczema.

Causes of Seborrheic dermatitis

Though the exact cause of this condition is not known yet, but it is treated that combination of factors like excess oil secretion and yeast problems can lead to seborrheic dermatitis. Few other factors which can cause this condition are

Genetics

Stress

Yeast named malessizia

Few health illnesses

Few other factors which triggers this kind of dermatitis are

Acne

Oily skin

Obesity

Fatigue

Alcoholism

Smoking

Depression

Eating disorders

Psoriasis

Skin disorders

HIV infections

Use of chemical products.

Symptoms of Seborrheic dermatitis

Dandruff is the most common symptom seen in people with this type of dermatitis. Symptoms of seborrheic eczema may differ from each individual depending on the severity. Few other symptoms include

Thick red patchy scales on scalp

Itchy plaques on different parts like nose, fore head, scalp, eyebrow, ears and other oily areas.

White or yellow scales which stick to the scalp and hair

Itching

Hair loss

Cradle cap (seen in infants)

The severity of symptoms is more in adults than in children’s. Though these types of symptoms are seen in children, they may clear without treatment when they become one year old.

Seborrheic dermatitis control tips

Here are few seborrheic eczema control tips which help to control the condition

Wash your hair daily with mild shampoo

Avoid using harsh chemical shampoos and body scrubs

Avoid scratching

Apply anti itching cream

Wear smooth cloths to avoid scratching and rubbing

avoid excess intake of alcohol and smoking

control stress, as excess stress triggers the condition

Homeopathic treatment for Seborrheic dermatitis

Homeopathy for Seborrheic dermatitis works very effectively in controlling the symptoms and treating the disease. Homeopathy treatment for seborrheic eczema uses natural remedies which are extracted from plants, vegetables and other natural minerals. Homeopathy treats this type of Dermatitis well in all the stages and in early stages the results are quick. Homeopathy along with treatment also provides health tips for to control this condition. These homeopathy tips for seborrheic dermatitis help in quick recovery without any side effects. Homeopathy offers prescriptions for seborrheic dermatitis based on symptoms, family history and also based on theory of individualization. Homeopathy for seborrheic dermatitis not just focuses on treating it but also focuses on improving immunity and aims at overall wellbeing.