What You Need to Know About Seborrheic Dermatitis: Symptoms, Causes, and Solutions

What is Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a very common skin condition. It is also known as seborrheic eczema or greasy eczema. Seborrheic dermatitis is generally an inflammatory skin disease seen on the scalp. It can also appear on other hairy areas like the beard, eyebrows, and mustache. In addition to these, it is frequently found in areas with high sebaceous gland activity, such as the face and body folds. It causes flaky skin, yellowish and greasy dandruff, and itching on the skin surface.

What are the symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis include dandruff, crusty and greasy skin patches, rash, and itching in the hair, beard, and mustache areas. Different symptoms can be observed in infants and adults. In infancy, various symptoms can be seen in different areas. In the first months of infancy, thick, yellow, greasy dandruff can be seen on the scalp. Redness, greasy-looking dandruff can appear in the ear folds, face, flexural areas, and torso; scaly lesions on reddish skin can be seen in flexural areas like the elbows and knees. In adults, it can appear on the scalp, behind the ears, sides of the nose, eyebrows, chest, front of the face, mid-back, and flexural areas. Symptoms include itching, redness, scaling, usually yellowish lesions, a greasy appearance, oiliness, and dandruff. Although some skin types may appear greasy, dryness can also be observed.

What causes Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis can arise from many causes. Stress, genetic factors, inflammation, and seasonal conditions can be among the causes of seborrheic dermatitis. In addition to these, an oily skin structure can lead to seborrheic dermatitis. Malassezia genus yeasts, found on human skin, can overgrow in some individuals, causing seborrheic dermatitis.

Is Seborrheic Dermatitis contagious?

Although seborrheic dermatitis manifests many symptoms on the skin, it is not contagious. Likewise, none of the types of dermatitis are contagious. It is crucial for those around individuals with seborrheic dermatitis to understand that it is not contagious. Increased stress levels and decreased morale can intensify seborrheic dermatitis symptoms. To alleviate the psychological effects of skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, it is very important that the person is not subjected to pressure or reaction from their social environment. It should be remembered that conditions like seborrheic dermatitis can temporarily appear on anyone's skin.

Which body parts are affected by Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis can be observed in different areas in infants and adults. In infants, it causes dandruff as yellow and greasy crusts on the scalp. On the body, it can be seen in the arm, elbow, knee, and neck regions. In adults, seborrheic dermatitis is more commonly seen in hairy and scalp areas. On the face; it appears on the eyebrows, cheeks, sides of the nose, and inside and behind the ears. Dandruff is also frequently seen on the eyebrows and eyelashes. In men, it is often encountered in the beard and mustache areas. On the body, it can be observed on the chest, around the navel, and rarely in the armpits and groin area.

How is Seborrheic Dermatitis treated? What are the treatment methods? What should we pay attention to?

In the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis, the priority is to control sebum, or oil. In addition, soaps, creams, and moisturizers that do not damage and protect the skin structure can be recommended to reduce the frequency of flare-ups and strengthen the skin. In treatment, it is important to suppress fungal growth and prevent secondary infections in areas affected by seborrheic dermatitis. It should be clearly understood that there is no definitive cure for seborrheic dermatitis. Nevertheless, as long as we pay attention to our personal care and lifestyle as recommended by doctors, we can alleviate flare-ups, improve symptoms, and extend the recurrence interval of symptoms. Different treatment methods are recommended depending on the area affected by seborrheic dermatitis. For seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp in adults, anti-seborrheic (anti-grease) shampoos are generally recommended by doctors. In some cases, excessive oiliness is observed on the scalp, and shampoo alone may not be enough for a solution. In cases of excessive oiliness, doctors recommend oil-removing sprays in addition to shampoo. For symptoms seen in the beard, mustache, eyebrow, and eyelash areas, creams or foam-form moisturizers that are more easily absorbed between hairs due to their structure are recommended. For seborrheic dermatitis on the face and body, creams are also recommended. Hygiene is very important in seborrheic dermatitis. Frequent washing is necessary to prevent the possibility of bacterial infections. It is necessary to avoid excessive sweating, oily foods, especially fried foods, and synthetic fabrics. Although corticosteroid medications and products are recommended in some cases, it is beneficial to avoid corticosteroids as much as possible to protect the skin structure. In the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis in infants, simpler measures are usually sufficient compared to adults. Doctors generally recommend washing with shampoo after baby oil. In more severe cases, some corticosteroid-containing supports may be recommended, but corticosteroid products should be avoided until the very last resort. Click here to read our article on managing seborrheic dermatitis during seasonal transitions.

What foods are good for Seborrheic Dermatitis? What should Seborrheic Dermatitis patients eat?

While various foods can be beneficial for seborrheic dermatitis, some foods rich in vitamins and minerals are frequently recommended by experts. These dietary recommendations can help you in addition to other treatments for seborrheic dermatitis.

Salmon

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. This helps reduce skin inflammation and supports skin health. It is an indispensable food for patients with Seborrheic Dermatitis.

Yogurt

Thanks to its probiotic content, yogurt contributes to a healthy gut microbiota. Research has shown a connection between Seborrheic Dermatitis symptoms and imbalances in the gut microbiota.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a fat rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Containing vitamin E and polyphenols, olive oil maintains skin moisture and alleviates Seborrheic Dermatitis symptoms.

Avocado

Avocado is a fruit rich in healthy fats, vitamin E, and antioxidants. These nutrients provide internal skin hydration and alleviate Seborrheic Dermatitis symptoms. It also strengthens the skin barrier.

Spinach

Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard, and lettuce are rich in vitamins essential for skin health. They support skin health and help reduce inflammation.

Which shampoo should be used for Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Many shampoos in Turkey claim to cure seborrheic dermatitis. In fact, this claim and expectation are completely wrong. An effective shampoo against oiliness and dandruff constitutes a large part of seborrheic dermatitis treatment. Nevertheless, seborrheic dermatitis is not a condition that can be resolved by shampoo use alone. Paying attention to our lifestyle and diet is of great importance in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. Additionally, using strong oil-removing sprays in addition to shampoo can be very effective for removing oil and dandruff. Doctor's advice is very important when choosing a shampoo for seborrheic dermatitis. Also, benefiting from the experiences of people who have the same problem as you and asking for their recommendations can be a method in product selection.

Blue Cap Shampoo and Blue Cap Spray

Blue Cap Shampoo and Blue Cap Spray are both recommended by doctors, especially for cleansing the scalp from dandruff and oil. Blue Cap Shampoo and Blue Cap Spray can be used separately or in combination. After applying Blue Cap Shampoo and leaving it on your hair for 5 minutes before rinsing, Blue Cap Spray should be applied to slightly damp hair. Blue Cap Spray is a leave-in product. One of the most important features of Blue Cap products is that they do not contain cortisone. Furthermore, Blue Cap products, thanks to the Molecular Activation Technology used in their production, quickly show their effect on dandruff and oiliness and extend the recurrence interval of symptoms. This production technology maximizes effectiveness while minimizing the possibility of side effects. Blue Cap products help protect skin integrity while showing high absorption and bioavailability. Thanks to their antimicrobial and antifungal effects, they are also effective against fungal growth, which can be one of the sources of symptoms.

Which Blue Cap product should I use for moisture needs in Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Moisture needs can arise in seborrheic dermatitis. Two Blue Cap products are recommended by doctors for this moisture need. Blue Cap Cream and Blue Cap Foam will meet your moisture needs. The criterion to consider when choosing between the two is whether the area to be applied is hairy or hairless. Blue Cap Foam should be preferred for areas like hair roots, beard, mustache, and eyebrows. The reason for this is that its foam structure allows it to be easily absorbed between hairs without sticking. Blue Cap Cream is recommended for localized and hairless areas such as the face.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Seborrheic Dermatitis contagious?

No, seborrheic dermatitis is not a contagious disease.

Which body parts are affected by seborrheic dermatitis?

It is generally seen on hairy areas such as the scalp, eyebrows, beard, mustache, and in areas with high sebaceous gland activity like the face, chest, and body folds.

Is there a definitive cure for seborrheic dermatitis?

No, there is no definitive cure, but symptoms can be alleviated and flare-ups controlled with doctor's recommendations, proper personal care, and lifestyle changes.

If you think you have seborrheic dermatitis, do not hesitate to consult your dermatologist as soon as possible.

This article was written by Pharmacist Nil Eker from the Primum Pharma team.