Seborrheic dermatitis; It is a type of eczema that occurs in the form of yellow oily dandruff on the pink-colored redness areas, mostly located on the scalp, eyebrows, nose edge, cheeks, inner and outer parts of the ear. Since the disease is in visible areas, it creates a cosmetic problem. Approximately 5% of people suffers from this disease.
Why Seborrheic Dermatitis Occurs?
Seborrheic dermatitis is caused by the excessive increase of the fungal microbe Malassezia, which normally lives harmlessly on our skin, and the excessive response of the skin defense system to it. Stress is the most important trigger of the disease.
What Are the Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Although it varies from patient to patient, it occurs with thin yellow crusts on a red-pink skin, especially on the edge of the nose, cheeks, inner and back of the ear, eyebrows and scalp. Most of the patients do not have any disturbing findings. Sometimes it can occur on the chest, under the armpits. On the scalp, it can be seen with dandruff.
How Is Seborrheic Dermatitis Diagnosed?
The diagnosis is easily made by clinical examination. However, in some cases, a blood test may be requested to differentiate it from other diseases (especially fungal diseases).
What is Done in the Treatment of Seborrheic Dermatitis?
With the treatments applied, the symptoms of the disease can be temporarily eliminated. It is not always possible to cure completely. Treatment is determined according to the body area where the findings are present.
Scalp: With the regular use of anti-dandruff shampoos containing zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, the symptoms disappear completely. During the application, the shampoo should be left on the scalp for 5-10 minutes and then rinsed. In patients with thick dandruff, salicylic acid solutions may be helpful.
Face, ear and nose: Anti-fungal creams are recommended to reduce the fungus here. In addition, cortisone creams are useful in cases where redness is evident. Cortisone solutions and ear drops are useful for the inner part of the ear.
Body: When it is in areas such as the body, back, armpits, washing those areas with anti-fungal shampoos and rinsing the shampoo after waiting for 5-10 minutes in that area gives good results.
