Seborrheic Dermatitis Symptoms: Site, Appearance and Treatment
Seborrheic Dermatitis is a chronic and prevalent skin condition that affects people of all ages. Around 3-10 out of every 100 people have this skin condition, which can be managed with early identification and treatment based on symptoms and diagnosis. Seborrheic Dermatitis symptoms can develop on any body parts except soles and palms.
This comprehensive article will discuss the signs and symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis in children and adults. Learning about this skin condition can help acquire early and proper treatment based on its symptoms and distinguish it from other skin conditions. So, let’s learn in detail.
Seborrheic Dermatitis signs and symptoms
Seborrheic Dermatitis symptoms may range from a rash on different body locations to stubborn dandruff on the scalp. The symptoms appear on the regions of the body with sebaceous (oil) glands, such as the scalp, nose, and upper back.
Here are the symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis in infants, children, and adults:
Seborrheic Dermatitis symptoms in infants and children (Cradle Cap)
Seborrheic Dermatitis is also recognized as Cradle Cap and is prevalent among infants and children. The condition mostly affects the scalp of infants but can also appear in the following regions of the body:
- Eyelids
- Face
- Forehead
- Eyebrows
- Corners of the nose
- Ear
It can also appear as bright red creases in the following areas:
- Under arms
- Behind knees
- Neck folds
- Groin region or folds
- Elbow crease
The common signs and symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis in infants and children are as follows:
- Flakes on the scalp
- Scaly or patchy crust on the scalp
- Mild to moderate redness in the affected areas
- Greasy skin covered with yellow scales or white flakes
- Crusty yellow scales on the head of infants
Seborrheic Dermatitis symptoms in adults
Like Cradle Cap, Seborrheic Dermatitis symptoms in adults can develop in body areas with excessive oil production, such as the scalp, face, ear, neck, elbow creases, and genitals.
The following are the symptoms that can be seen in people with Seborrheic Dermatitis:
- Red scales or patches on the skin
- Itchiness in the affected areas
- White and itchy flakes on the scalp (dandruff)
- Redness in the folds of skin creases, such as groins, armpits, behind knees, or beneath breast
- Inflamed hair follicles
- Appearance of flaky patches on the hairline and chest area
- Scaly redness on the edge of the eyelids
Without treatment, an individual can also experience Seborrheic Dermatitis hair loss, which is linked to excessive sebum production and increased Malassezia yeast.
How to manage Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Over-the-counter medications and prescribed treatment strategies can treat and manage Seborrheic Dermatitis. The medications can help an individual alleviate mild to severe symptoms and prevent their recurrence.
Here are the best treatments for Seborrheic Dermatitis:
In children
Cradle Cap usually clears independently in infants within a few months and does not need additional treatment. You can wash your infant’s hair or scalp with a mild baby shampoo during that period.
You can also manage Cradle Cap in the following ways:
- Wash your baby’s scalp with your fingers or a soft cloth to gently loosen the crust
- Use mild baby shampoo for washing your baby’s hair
- If the crust does not loosen up easily, use a few drops of mineral oil or petroleum jelly on the scalp. Gently rub the oil on the scalp to loosen the crust. Once applied, use a soft-bristled brush on the scalp and wash with baby shampoo. It is important to remove the oil from the scalp during wash, or it may worsen the condition
- Once the crusts are gone, you can wash your baby’s scalp regularly with mild baby shampoo to prevent crust buildup
- Do not scratch or pick at the scales or crusts. It may increase the risks of bleeding or contracting infections
Furthermore, you can also consult a healthcare practitioner and use prescribed medications for faster recovery. The treatment includes the following options:
- Medicated shampoo
- Antifungal creams
- Topical Steroids (on the skin)
In adults
Seborrheic Dermatitis is a non-contagious skin condition. Therefore, you do not have to worry about it spreading from one person to another. In addition, it is manageable. Seborrheic Dermatitis can be treated with several topical medications, oral medicines, and medicated shampoo.
Here are the best medications to treat your Seborrheic Dermatitis effectively. These medications have the following ingredients to treat the yeast infection from the scalp:
- Ketoconazole: It is an antifungal agent and ceases yeast multiplication. Nizral Shampoo 2% is one of the recommended shampoos for fast recovery
- Pyrithione Zinc: It is one of the widely used antifungal drugs in medicated shampoo curated for treating dandruff and SD
- Selenium Sulphide: Selenium Sulphide in strengths 1% and 2.5% controls the symptoms of SD and reduce dandruff
- Corticosteroids: Some prescription-based Corticosteroids are also prescribed by your healthcare practitioner to manage inflammation on the scalp
- Antifungal creams: These antifungal creams combat and inhibit fungal growth on the scalp
Also read: To learn more about Seborrheic Dermatitis treatment options for the body and the scalp in detail, read ‘Effective Seborrheic Dermatitis Treatment Strategies.’
It is also recommended that you consult your healthcare practitioner before using any medications or topical creams to reduce the risks of side effects. Your doctor knows your medical history and condition well and can help you make an informed decision.
Conclusion
Seborrheic Dermatitis is a prevalent condition that affects people of all ages. Its symptoms can be seen in different body locations in infants and adults. These symptoms include white, flaky dandruff on the scalp and an itchy, red rash on the different body locations. In infants, it can appear as a yellow crust on the scalp called Cradle Cap.
The symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis can appear in different body locations with lots of oil production. It can appear in body areas, such as the face, eyelids, scalp, armpits, genitals, and neck folds. Fortunately, it is manageable.
You can consult a healthcare practitioner and seek proper treatment for Seborrheic Dermatitis. You can take over-the-counter medications, topical creams, oral medications, and medicated shampoo to treat the condition effectively and prevent its recurrence. Consult your doctor today and seek treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if you have Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Seborrheic Dermatitis symptoms include itchy, flaky skin on the scalp, eyebrows, hair, and beard. Greasy patches covered with white or yellow scales can appear on different body locations, such as the scalp, nose, breasts, armpits, chest, and genitals. Consult your healthcare practitioner and seek medical treatment promptly.
How does Seborrheic Dermatitis start?
The exact cause of Seborrheic Dermatitis (SD) is unknown. However, it occurs because SD increases sebum production in the body area, causing the appearance of flaky dandruff or itchy scales. Furthermore, excessive sebum production is also linked with the imbalance of Malassezia growth on the skin.
How do you get rid of Seborrheic Dermatitis?
With treatment and proper care, you can eliminate Seborrheic Dermatitis. For faster recovery, use over-the-counter medicated shampoo, topical creams, and prescribed topical and oral medications. For best results, use a Seborrheic Dermatitis shampoo like Nizral Shampoo 2%, which has antifungal properties that stop yeast growth.
Should I wash my hair more if I have Seborrheic Dermatitis?
If you have mild to moderate Seborrheic Dermatitis, you should wash your hair once daily or twice a week. When the flare-up clears, you can use the medicated shampoo under a doctor’s prescription once a week. For best results, use Nizral Shampoo 2%, which has antifungal properties that stop yeast growth.
