Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrheic eczema , is an inflammatory and skin disease that is quite common among the population. It is considered a chronic condition, that is, it appears throughout life, although in certain periods there is an improvement or, on the contrary, it can worsen. This eczema appears in places on the skin that contain a high number of sebaceous glands (glands that produce oil).
Causes of seborrheic dermatitis and risk factors
The exact cause of this problem is not known, but it is believed to be due to a combination of factors and affects oily areas of the body such as the skin on the face, scalp and torso. Thus, the possible causes of seborrheic dermatitis are:
- The Malassezia fungus , which lives alongside other sebaceous glands in the skin. Although studies have shown that in all cases of facial seborrheic dermatitis, the two species of fungi that predominate are M. globosa and M. restricta.
- The activity of the sebaceous glands is the main factor, since they produce fat that creates a perfect home for the appearance of this dermatitis.
- It can be genetic, which means that it is hereditary and if one or several family members suffer from seborrheic dermatitis, you can suffer from it too.
- If you need any nutrient or vitamin or your immune system is weak, you could develop this problem.
- Hormonal factors such as testosterone levels.
- Climatic conditions (humidity and excess heat or cold) could be triggers of seborrheic dermatitis.
Likewise, it is considered that there are also some risk factors for seborrheic dermatitis that predispose to suffering from this disease, such as:
- Oily skin or the appearance of acne.
- Have HIV.
- Obesity.
- Stress or tiredness.
- Have nervous system disorders such as Parkinson's or a stroke.
Studies have been carried out in which the clinical profiles of different people who suffer from this problem have been analyzed and it has been possible to affirm that the clinical profile with the majority of seborrheic dermatitis is a 40-year-old patient, with involvement of the face and scalp, with mild to moderate intensity, suffering from an episode of fatigue, depression or stress since before the outbreak of seborrheic dermatitis. The impact that seborrheic dermatitis has on quality of life is considered low, so it does not prevent normal life.
Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis.
Seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by the appearance of reddish rashes on the skin in the form of a crust, which causes itching, swelling and peeling of the skin. Said desquamation induces the appearance of dandruff, especially in regions with hair such as the scalp, eyebrows, beard area and chest. It can be seen that the scalp lesions appear as salmon-colored crusts that produce grayish or yellowish scaling. There may be hair loss that usually improves with treatment.
Thus, as a summary, the main symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis , whether it occurs on the head, face or body, are:
- Skin rashes .
- itching
- Inflammation.
- Peeling of the skin.
- Dandruff.
- Scabs.
- Localized pain.
- hair loss
Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis
Unfortunately there is no definitive cure for seborrheic dermatitis , but with proper treatment you can experience periods of improvement. In addition, there are natural remedies that will help you combat and relieve the discomfort it causes, which we will explain later.
If you only have dandruff on your scalp , it is usually recommended to use anti- dandruff shampoos to solve the problem. The most effective shampoos to eliminate dandruff caused by seborrheic dermatitis are usually those that contain selenium sulfide, ciclopirox, alcatran, salicylic acid or ketoconazole.
In slightly more serious cases such as lesions on the body or face, for example when there is seborrheic dermatitis on the nose, eyebrows and forehead or abdomen, they are usually treated with corticosteroid creams or antifungal creams .
Studies have also confirmed that the most frequent treatments for seborrheic dermatitis , in routine clinical practice, are topical corticosteroids and imidazole antifungals .
In the event of any of the symptoms described above, it is recommended to go to a dermatologist so that they can give you the best guidelines to follow and the treatment that best suits you to relieve the discomfort.
Home remedies for seborrheic dermatitis that are effective
As we have mentioned before, there are home remedies that, thanks to their properties, can help you combat seborrheic dermatitis. From oneHOWTO we recommend the following home remedies for seborrheic dermatitis , both to apply to the skin and to take:
- Control the consumption of foods with saturated fats: avoiding or reducing foods that contain saturated fats is essential if you want to prevent your symptoms from worsening. Harmful fats such as those contained in fried foods, fast food, red meats and sausages, among others, are the ones you will have to avoid, but you can eat healthy fats such as oily fish, egg yolks, hazelnuts or walnuts.
- Brewer's yeast: it is a very effective food when it comes to skin problems because it acts as a purifier, thus eliminating toxins that may exist on the surface of the skin.
- Salt water: bathing in sea water or taking a tablespoon of this water sold in health food stores would also be a good idea, as it removes oil from the skin and relieves the itching that this dermatitis can cause.
- Calendula: due to its analgesic effect and its healing properties, it will help reduce itching. Mix a tablespoon of these flowers with water and apply it on the affected area.
- Cucumber: put two cucumbers in the blender and use the obtained paste to apply it on your skin. This will deeply hydrate your skin and ease discomfort.
- Oatmeal: thanks to the nutrients it provides, it can help you reduce itching and redness. Put half a cup of oatmeal in a liter of water and strain it, then apply it to the affected area as a cold compress.
- Aloe vera or aloe vera: aloe vera gel will also be of great help to you, due to its anti-inflammatory, regenerating and moisturizing properties.
- Warm water and baking soda: this remedy removes dead cells and relieves itching, so it will soften your skin. Dilute a tablespoon of baking soda for every pint of water and apply it to the affected surface.
- Avoid stress: if you live busy, calm down and take a break, as stress will only make your problem worse.
- Foods rich in omega 3: these are those that contain good or healthy fats, which provide great care for the skin and will help you improve seborrheic dermatitis, moisturizing and regenerating the skin.
- Balanced diet: maintain a balanced diet, eating foods that have all the nutrients and vitamins that your body needs.
Infusions for seborrheic dermatitis
- Horsetail : it will regenerate your skin and restore shine and vitality to your hair. Prepare an infusion with a teaspoon of dried horsetail leaves in a cup of water. Drink it once a day.
- Sarsaparilla : its purifying capacity makes it an ideal plant to treat skin problems caused by excess toxins. Place two tablespoons of dried root in half a liter of water and let it marinate for 12 hours. Then cook this mixture for 20 minutes and drink two glasses a day.
- Dandelion : it has a high content of potassium, which is why diuretic properties are attributed to it. You can use it as an infusion, applying plasters to the affected areas, previously crushing its leaves, or including its leaves in your meals.
Rinses for seborrheic dermatitis
- Licorice : helps reduce the secretion of fat. Prepare an infusion of licorice and mix it with 1/4 cup of vinegar. Wash your hair and rub the mixture on the area of the scalp that is affected. Leave it for 10 minutes and rinse again.
- Laurel : regenerates the scalp and prevents your hair from falling out. Rub a little bay essential oil on the scalp, when you wake up and before going to bed. You can also prepare an infusion with a handful of bay leaves in half a liter of water and after washing your hair, rub this mixture and leave it for an hour. Rinse again.
Now that you are aware of the home remedies that can relieve seborrheic dermatitis , we encourage you to try them so you can find the one that best suits you.
