Seborrheic dermatitis causes red, inflamed skin with scaly flakes and is common in areas with sweat glands. Its cause is unknown, but it can be linked to Parkinson’s disease and oily skin. Diagnosis is important as it resembles other skin conditions. Treatment includes antibiotics, antifungals, steroids, and hygiene recommendations. It can worsen in winter and due to stress. Scratching can cause infection, and medication can relieve itching.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition in which the skin becomes red and inflamed before developing scaly flakes of white, gray, or yellow skin. This condition is most common in areas of the body where sweat glands are abundant, such as the scalp and groin, and can also appear in skin folds, in areas such as the neck and underarms. This condition is not harmful, but it can be unpleasant and many people choose to seek treatment for this reason.
The cause of seborrheic dermatitis is not understood. It has been linked to some conditions like Parkinson’s disease and also oily or dirty skin. The condition is extremely common, especially in the mild forms known as dandruff in adults and cradle cap in children. One of the problems with this type of dermatitis is that it resembles many other skin conditions, making diagnosis important to ensure the condition is addressed appropriately.
When a patient presents with a condition that looks like seborrheic dermatitis, the doctor may decide to take a scrape to examine it under a microscope. This can reveal clues about other skin conditions that could be causing the outbreak. If the samples do not provide further information, the doctor may proceed to treat the condition and recommend a follow-up visit to confirm the diagnosis was correct.
Some cases of seborrheic dermatitis have been linked to colonies of yeast or bacteria. In these patients, antibiotics and antifungals can be used to kill the organisms. Other patients may be given steroids to help them cope with the inflammation. Keeping the skin clean and dry with a mild soap and a gentle sponge after cleansing is also important in keeping dermatitis under control.
Outbreaks appear to worsen in winter, and the condition can also occur in response to physical or emotional stress. People who are prone to developing this condition generally need to exercise strict hygiene recommendations to prevent the skin condition from flaring up. These recommendations include keeping the skin clean and dry and can be supplemented with dietary recommendations to reduce the skin’s natural oils.
In addition to being unsightly, seborrheic dermatitis can also be very itchy. Patients can put themselves at risk of infection by repeatedly scratching and creating wounds that can be used as entry points into the body for bacteria and other organisms. Slapping, rather than scratching, can deal with really irritating itches, and medications to relieve the itch can also be prescribed.
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