What is Seborrheic dermatitis?

Red skin along with irritation and flaking (desquamation)  are the main symptoms of a skin condition called Seborrheic dermatitis or seborea. Mostly located in areas of the body where the sebaceous glands are dense, areas like the side  of the nose ,  between the eyebrows,  on the  scalp  and  less  frequently  in the  groin and armpits. Even though this condition is not life threatening, it is an unpleasant and causes many patients to seek treatment.

The cause  for  Seborrheic dermatitis (seborea) is still not fully understood. It seems   to  be a  combination of  genetic  predisposition,  mood changes ,  a  fungus  on the  skin  and   the  body own  exaggerated  inflammatory  process.

In the winter this condition gets worse. Same  for  people  who  undergo emotional and physical stress. Seborrheic dermatitis can  be  sometimes  quite  itchy  especially on the scalp.

How  to  treat  Seborrheic  dermatitis ?

In many instances Seborrheic dermatitis (seborea) has been linked to the  existence of a  yeast called  mallassezia  fufur. . Antifungals that destruct  these organisms in these patients may  be used  to  achieve  clinical  improvement  but  will  not  result  in cure. Topical steroids applied  to the inflamed  areas  will usually   bring   short  time  relief.  Nevertheless,  as  usual  with   steroidal  treatment  the  symptoms  with  recur  rapidly  when  topical  stride  is  stopped. Prolonged d  use  of  topical  steroids (longer  than  a  week) may  result s  in  permanent skin damage -  thin  skin  and  enlarged  skin  capillaries.

Your Dermatologist   may  prescribe   ointments  that  contain   Sulfur  (3-5%)  and  Salicylic  Acid  (2-3%) . These  ointments  are  very  effective  and  do  not  contain  steroids.  Nevertheless  they  are  usually  quite  oily  and  smelly  limiting their   use.

New  over the  counter  topical  solution  developed  lately   allow   steroidal  free therapy for  Seborrheic  dermatitis.  This   solution (SebaClear) contains  OTC  ingredients , targeting all  main  causes  of Seborrhea and Psoriasis  (Fungal, Inflammatory, Desquamation).  The  effectiveness  of  these  compounds  was  proven  Dermatological  studies  to  high   with   long  term  safety  and  ease of  use.