The seborrheic dermatitis is a skin disorder that primarily affects adults . Let’s briefly analyze what are the causes and what are the symptoms .
Seborrheic dermatitis is a dermatological disorder of an inflammatory nature that affects areas rich in sebaceous glands. It is common in adults, especially between the ages of thirty and sixty, but in children it can affect the scalp and is called cradle cap. It is a chronic disease that is not contagious and is not linked to serious complications but can create discomfort and embarrassment when it occurs on visible parts of the body as it is often but mistakenly associated with poor personal hygiene.
What causes it
The causes of seborrheic dermatitis are not yet fully understood but it is believed that they involve malassezia, a yeast normally developed from sebum to which the immune system can have an oversized reaction.
Weakened immune systems, depression, stress , fatigue, and lack of sleep or vitamins can contribute to the onset, even temporary, of the disease.
What are the symptoms
Seborrheic dermatitis mainly affects areas rich in sebaceous glands, therefore: scalp, eyebrows, the sides of the nose and behind the ears , the breastbone and in the armpits or even the groin.
Frequent symptoms are: inflammation and redness of the skin that is oily and may have yellow or whitish scales, irregular scaling or scabs on the scalp, dandruff, itching or pain. When it hits moist areas such as the groin or the skin under the breasts it can cause superficial skin cuts.
As severe as it may be, seborrheic scalp dermatitis never causes hair loss .
Episodes of seborrheic dermatitis worsen during the winter or cold seasons. In these periods, the use of Bepanthenol® Sensiderm is indicated to help restore the damaged skin barrier .
How to recognize it
The diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis usually takes place through a history and a visit to the areas affected by the symptoms but in some cases it may be necessary to carry out tests to distinguish it from similar conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, ringworm or rosacea.
Should I call the doctor?
Although seborrheic dermatitis can cause psychological discomfort such as embarrassment or low self-esteem, it does not present particular secondary risks but can lead to complications such as bacterial or fungal infections.
It becomes urgent to see a doctor if there are signs of infection such as pus, severe redness and pain. However, it is recommended to consult an expert even if the symptoms worsen or have a late response to treatments.
The seborrheic dermatitis is a form of itchy erythematous exfoliative dermatitis. It is characterized by the presence of yellow-oily scales on erythematous skin and located mainly on the scalp and face. It can also affect all areas rich in sebaceous glands, including the presternal, interscapular and genital area.Seborrheic dermatitis can have intermittent manifestations, which often occur during the transition from one season to another.
What are the causes of seborrheic dermatitis?
The causes of this dermatosis are not yet clear; the excess sebum, which generally characterizes the affected areas, creates an ideal microenvironment for the proliferation of the yeast Malassezia Furfur , which produces inflammatory fatty acids (breakdown of sebum by the lipase of Malassezia Furfur), responsible for inflammation. as triggers : hormonal imbalances , use of drugs (for example corticosteroids), psychophysical stress , depression, genetic predisposition (previous cases in the family).
To these can be added: vitamin deficiencies, smog and atmospheric pollution, unfavorable environmental situations (presence of high humidity), etc.
What are the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis?
The dandruff is one of the typical signs of seborrheic dermatitis. In the most severe forms, intense exfoliation can give rise to crusts, in others to erythema or folliculitis.
- inflammation and redness of the skin;
- greasy skin;
- itching – the affected person tends to scratch, stimulating further sebum production and worsening the situation;
- ache;
- in some cases, hair loss.
The diagnosis
For the diagnosis of dermatitis , observation of symptoms during a dermatological examination is generally necessary .
The Treatments
To treat seborrheic dermatitis , creams, lotions and shampoos can be used, containing antifungals capable of counteracting the growth and development of Malassezia Furfur; other active ingredients are often added to the antifungals, such as salicylic acid, zinc pyrithione, tar derivatives (ichthyol) and sulfur. Products containing corticosteroids are not recommended.
