Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common and often recurrent condition.

What are the symptoms, and where do they appear?

Depending on the severity of the condition, the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis can vary. Usually, the affected skin itches and looks pink or red; it is often covered by scale. Mild cases may cause only flaking, but advanced cases may be accompanied by severe itching and even cracking of the skin.

Seborrheic dermatitis usually appears on the face, but may show up on the chest, back, in the skin folds, and even in the belly button and genital areas. It presents on the scalp as dandruff. It most often appears in skin areas that have many sebaceous (oil) glands. This is why it is common to see seborrheic dermatitis around the hairline, in the eyebrows, behind the ears, and around the nose.

What causes Seborrheic Dermatitis?

The exact cause is not known, but some researchers believe a common organism known as Pityrosporum ovale may play a role. Physical or emotional stress and climate may be factors as well; the condition tends to be worse in winter for many people. Seborrheic dermatitis is not contagious.

What is the treatment?

Daily shampooing with even a mild shampoo can be effective in controlling dandruff, although severe scaling often requires a medicated shampoo containing zinc, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, sulfur, or coal tar. Prescription shampoos are also available. Your doctor may prescribe a topical steroid, a sulfur-based lotion, or antifungal creams to help control the condition. Many find it frustrating to live with a chronic condition that seems to flare-up again just when they thought it was gone for good. But remember to start treatment again as soon as redness or scale appears, and you usually can keep seborrheic dermatitis under control.