Seborrhea
Introduction
Seborrhea, also called Seborrheic Dermatitis, is a common skin condition. When it occurs on the scalp it is called dandruff. Seborrhea on a baby’s scalp is called cradle cap.
Seborrhea describes a red scaly itchy skin. The affected areas produce white or yellowish flakes. Seborrhea can develop on the scalp, face, or skin folds on the body. It is a life long condition that can be controlled with treatment.
Anatomy
Your skin covers your body and protects it from the environment. You skin is composed of three major layers, the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis is the outermost layer of your skin. It protects your inner layers of skin. The cells at the bottom layer of the epidermis continually move upward to the outer layer. They eventually wear off and are replaced by the next layer of cells.Causes
The exact cause of seborrhea is unknown. Researchers believe it is caused by a fungal exposure in persons with oily skin or decreased immune systems. People that are susceptible to seborrhea develop an inflammatory skin response to the fungus. The skin becomes flaky and sheds in an attempt to rid itself of the fungus.Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Seborrhea can be treated at home with good hygiene practices using products designed to treat the condition. You should thoroughly clean and wash your hair and body daily. Your doctor can recommend over-the-counter soaps, lotions, and shampoos to improve your symptoms. You should avoid hair and body products that contain alcohol. It is helpful for men to shave their moustaches and beards. In some cases, doctors may prescribe antifungal lotions or corticosteroid preparations.Prevention
Am I at Risk
Risk factors may increase your likelihood of developing seborrhea. People with all of the risk factors may never develop the condition; however, the chance of developing seborrhea increases with the more risk factors you have. You should tell your doctor about your risk factors and discuss your concerns.
Risk factors for seborrhea:
_____ Seborrhea is more common in men than women. In men, it may develop in moustache and beard areas.
_____ Seborrhea appears to run in families. If your parents or siblings have seborrhea you have an increased risk for developing it.
_____ Oily skin is associated with seborrhea.
_____ Obesity appears to increase the risk of seborrhea formation, particularly in skin folds.
_____ Using soap and shampoo products that contain alcohol appear to increase the risk of developing seborrhea.
_____ Neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s Disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injury, are associated with seborrhea.
_____ Medical conditions that depress the immune system, such as HIV and AIDS, are associated with seborrhea.
_____ Skin disorders, such as acne, increase the risk of seborrhea.
Complications
Advancements
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This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.
The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.