Seborrheic Dermatitis

more about Seborrheic Dermatitis

Description

  • This common skin condition of infants and adolescents is characterized by dry scales that sit on top of an area of redness.  The most common areas of involvement are the scalp (dandruff), face, eyelids, chest, upper back, belly button, and skin folds.  Although the cause is unknown, fungal Skin Infections, genetic factors, and stress (illness, emotional or physical) may play a role.

Symptoms

  • Infancy:
    1. Salmon-colored, scaling and crusting of the scalp (cradle cap)
    2. Oily, scaly, red skin bumps on the face, neck, behind the ears, under the arms, and diaper area
  • Adolescence:
  • It may be localized to the scalp and skin folds of the groin, underarm, and breasts
  • Diffuse, brawny scaling or thick, oily, yellow crusts on the scalp
  • Loss of hair
    1. Red, scaly plaque at sides of the nose, eyebrows, eyelids, behind the ears, belly-button area, skin folds under the arms, breasts, groin and buttocks

Cause

  • Unknown
  • It may be related to the role of the sebaceous gland
  • A yeast-like organism: Pityrosporum ovale (Malassezia ovalis)
  • It can be reactivated by stress, poor hygiene, and excessive perspiration

How the diagnosis is made

  • History and skin finding
  • A skin biopsy or other laboratory testing if the case does not respond to treatment.

Treatment

  • For dandruff (seborrhea of the scalp):
    1. Apply baby oil to scalp
    2. Shampoos such as Head and Shoulders, Selsun Blue, and Neutrogena T-gel may all be effective
    3. Ketoconazole shampoo
    4. Corticosteroid lotions/solutions
  • For facial seborrheic dermatitis:
    1. Use only mild soaps (such as Neutrogena)
    2. Low-potency corticosteroid creams (e.g., 1% hydrocortisone cream)
  • For seborrheic dermatitis of skin folds:
    1. Low-potency corticosteroids
    2. Topical antifungal agents
    3. Keep the diaper area dry
  • Seborrheic dermatitis of the non-hairy body skin (excluding the skin folds):

– Low-potency corticosteroid creams

  • For eyelid seborrheic dermatitis:

– Clean at night with Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo using a cotton swab

  • After dermatitis is treated, zinc and salicylic acid soaps, selenium lotions, sulfur, and coal tar shampoos can be used to keep the disease under control.

Similar Conditions

  • Psoriasis