Seborrheic dermatitis

Description of the Disease

This is a very common, chronic skin inflammation characterized by skin redness and flaking in those areas of the body where sebaceous glands are most abundant and highly active.

Causes or Risk Factors of the Disease:

Exactly what causes or triggers seborrheic dermatitis is not fully known, the disease is associated with increased concentrations of androgens (male sex hormones) and increased secretion of sebaceous glands.

Symptoms

The most commonly affected areas of the body:

Hairy areas: scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard.

Face: areas prone to redness – “butterfly” zone, ears, forehead, fold between the nose and lips, eyebrows, nasolabial fold, ears.

Chest: especially in the area of the sternum.

Natural body folds: armpits, groin, intergluteal cleft, navel area.

The rashes are yellowish-red, covered with greasy or white scaly flakes, of various sizes, with distinct borders, spots, or nodules. Often there are pustules and fissures.

Infantile seborrheic dermatitis: in the first 3 months, a thick layer of greasy yellow flakes may form on the head, which may worry parents, however, it should not be scratched or otherwise removed, this rash will heal on its own.

Adult seborrheic dermatitis: red, round or irregularly shaped, flaking patches, with healing centers first, leaving a ring-shaped rash.

Diagnosis

Diagnosed based on clinical appearance.

Treatment

Oils, 3-5% sulfur, salicylic ointment to remove flakes,

Shampoos with ketoconazole, tar, selenium, zinc,

Mild corticosteroid ointments,

Systemic antifungal drugs.

Source | Author Doctor Nikas Samuolis, reviewed by Prof. Virginijus Šapoka | Vilnius University | Faculty of Medicine | Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Oncology