Seborrhoeic Dermatitis and Dandruff

The skin disorder known as seborrhoeic dermatitis, which affects the scalp, the face and the torso, is often referred to as an extreme form of dandruff, though this is only one aspect of the disease.  A variant of the affliction, known as cradle cap, affects infants younger than 3 months of age.  It is more common in adults from 30 to 60 years of age, and men are more likely to be afflicted that women.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis typically manifests as the formation of flaky, white and yellow scales that cover the scalp in patches.  Red, greasy skin usually appears underneath the admittedly repulsive mess forming in the hair of your scalp, accompanied by soreness and itchiness.  This condition most often limits itself to the scalp area, but it also appears in between folds of skin elsewhere on the body that are rich in oil glands, such as the sides of your nose, over your breastbone, under your arms, or in your groin region.  The symptoms of this ailment tend to fluctuate in severity, so what may be manageable today could very well be unbearable and extremely hideous tomorrow.

It is unknown exactly what causes seborrheic dermatitis, though scientists speculate that it may be related to hormones and growth, since those afflicted with the condition at infancy often see it vanish by the time puberty arises.  Other possible sources of the ailment include a fungus known as malassezia, which is found in the natural oil that forms on skin, and studies that link neurological disorders like epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease to the onset of the condition.  Persons afflicted with HIV or AIDS are also more prone to this disease.  Non-organic risk factors for the ailment include pronounced stress or fatigue, which has a tendency to cause chemical imbalances that aggravate the condition, and the seasonal changes, as outbreaks tend to worsen during the wintertime. 

Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp is similar to the treatment of dandruff.  It is recommended that one use a shampoo containing salicylic acid, selenium sulfide or zinc pyrithione.  Medicated shampoos can be used twice a week, alternating with regular shampoos as necessary.  Make sure that, when using dandruff shampoos, you do not rinse the lather off at once.  Rub the shampoo thoroughly into your scalp and let it settle for at least five minutes, so that the chemicals will take effect. 

In some advanced cases, a special shampoo may not be potent enough to alleviate the symptoms.  Doctors may then prescribe a steroid lotion, which is used to treat other types of skin disorders, to be used once or twice a day along with the shampoo.  Steroid lotion may be used either on adults or on adolescents.  Antifungal and anti-inflammatory treatments, such as ketoconazole and itraconazole, have proven successful in combating the illness. 

There are dermatologists who have recommended the use of photodynamic therapy, which uses pulsed ultraviolet light or LED light to treat the disease, in cases where fungus may be the culprit.  Generally, one is expected to start out first with shampoos and lotions before moving to more severe agents.

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