Seborrhea

Definition

Seborrheic dermatitis is a disease that causes flaking of the skin. It is a skin condition characterized by loose, greasy or dry, white to yellowish scales, with or without associated reddened skin. It usually affects the scalp. In teenagers and adults, it is commonly known as dandruff. Cradle Cap is the term used when seborrheic dermatitis affects the scalp of infants, it is usually self-limiting and subsides by the age of six months. Seborrhea can affect the skin on other parts of the body, such as the face and chest, and the creases of the arms, legs, and groin. Seborrheic dermatitis usually causes the skin to look a little greasy, and scaly or flaky.

Causes of Seborrheic

The cause of seborrheic dermatitis is not known to anyone very precisely till yet. The causes may be different for babies and for adults. Seborrheic dermatitis may be related to hormones, because the problem often starts in infancy and goes away before puberty. The most popular theory is that it is caused by a sensitivity to yeast called Pityrosporum ovale on the skin, but it has not been proved yet. It is believed that the build-up of yeast in these glands irritates the skin causing redness and flaking. This organism is normally present on the skin in small numbers, but sometimes its numbers increase, resulting in skin problems.

Symptoms of Seborrheic

Seborrheic Dermatitis is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects the scalp. It is a condition that mainly occurs in the areas where the oil glands are located i.e. mainly in the middle of the face, behind the ears, and especially on the scalp. However, seborrheic dermatitis may also be found on the eyebrows, eyelids, forehead, ears, chest, armpits, groin, area between the shoulder blades, the part of the face where the beard grows and the skin folds beneath the breasts or between the buttocks. It affects approximately 3% to 5% of the population, most commonly men, and peaks in infancy and middle age.

A dry, flaky scalp is typical in mild cases of seborrheic dermatitis. Severe cases of seborrhea have itching, burning, greasy scales overlying red patches on the scalp. Sometimes the eyes burn or become red. These symptoms may indicate conjunctivitis. The condition is characterized by waxy scale and reddened skin areas. Scales sometimes accumulate at the base of the eyelashes, plugging the follicles and causing them to become red, painful, or swollen (a disorder called seborrheic blepharitis).

Treatment of Seborrheic

Treatment of Seborrheic such as includes:

• Low potency glucocorticoid creams may be applied topically once or twice daily
• Ketoconazole po 200 mg QD for 7 to 14 days
• Avoidance of tinctures (alcoholic solutions), hair tonics, greasy ointments or soap
• Ketoconazole cream may be applied topically once or twice daily

Treatments for seborrheic dermatitis are usually applied directly to the skin in the form of shampoo or lotion. The treatment option you choose for treating seborrheic dermatitis will entirely depend on the patient's age and the location of the body it affects. Treatment can last for several weeks or months and in some severe cases may need to be repeated if the condition occurs again.