Seborrheic Dermatitis

Dandruff, Epidermal barrier, Malassezia, Sebaceous gland, Seborrheic dermatitis.

What is Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis causes scaly, oily patches of skin that produce dandruff – like flakes. These patches often appear where there are more sebaceous (oil-producing) glands on the body. This includes the hairline, scalp, upper back, nose, and groin.

Root Cause of Disease

If this type of dermatitis develops in infants, it is commonly called cradle cap, and it does not reappear later. In teens and adults, however, seborrheic dermatitis will most likely be an ongoing skin issue.

Symptoms

• Patches of flaky white or yellow scales develop on top of oily skin, such as on your scalp, hairline, upper back, mid-chest, armpits, under breasts, or near the groin.
• The patches may produce flaking skin. This is more common on the face and scalp.
• In people with dark brown or Black skin, the patches may be darker than their skin, but in people with white skin, the patches can be lighter.

Causes

Seborrheic dermatitis develops through a combination of environmental and genetic factors.

First, a trigger, such as stress or illness, sets off an inflammatory reaction in the skin. This causes the oil-producing glands in the body to kick into overdrive and create too much Malassezia yeast. This is an organism that lives on the skin’s surface.

When yeast grows too rapidly, the immune system reacts and causes a series of skin changes. This leads to the development of the patches of skin common with seborrheic dermatitis.

Other triggers include:

• hormonal changes
• illness
• harsh detergents or chemicals
• cold, dry weather
• certain medical conditions, like Parkinson’s disease, psoriasis, HIV, and acne
• medicines, including interferon and lithium

Home Remedies to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis

Remedy– 1: Apple Cider Vinegar

Materials Used: Apple cider vinegar

An apple cider vinegar will loosen the scales on your scalp. It may also lessen inflammation in the area of the flare-up.

Procedure:

To use this treatment:

1. Wash your hair with shampoo.
2. Apply a diluted solution of apple cider vinegar to the area.
3. Let the vinegar and water sit on your scalp for a few minutes.
4. Rinse well.

Product Link: Apple Cider Vinegar

Remedy – 2: Essential Oil

Materials Used: Olive oil

Procedure:

Follow these steps:

1. Apply the Olive oil to the scalp.
2. Leave the oil on for about an hour.
3. Brush thoroughly to remove scales from your scalp.
4. Wash and shampoo your hair as usual.

Product Link: Olive Oil

Remedy– 3: Aloe Vera

Materials Used: Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a plant with anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that its extract is effective in treating seborrheic dermatitis.

Supplements containing aloe vera gel or extracts can help suppress flare-ups. They can also help lessen the severity of flare-ups that do happen.

Procedure:

1. Gently apply the gel to your head, underneath your hair.
2. Let the gel sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
3. Use a mild shampoo to rinse the gel off your scalp.
4. Repeat this process 2 to 3 times a week, or as recommended by your healthcare provider.

Product Link: Aloe Vera

Other Remedies

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties that could soothe irritation and is great for treating eczema. To use tea tree oil, you must first mix it with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil. This is because using tea tree oil in its undiluted state could cause certain side effects such as minor irritation.

Turmeric

Turmeric is one of the eczema home remedies in India. It is anti-inflammatory and has wound healing properties which makes it a great option when treating eczema. To use this herb, you can mix a spoonful of turmeric powder with some honey and apply it to the affected area. Let it sit for a few minutes before washing it off with water.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Eczema can also be treated using apple cider vinegar. To do this, add about two portions of apple cider vinegar to a warm bath. This will help in reducing inflammation on the skin and also reduce dryness.

Preventions

Developing a basic skin care routine may help prevent eczema flares. The following tips may help reduce the drying effects of bathing:

• Moisturize your skin at least twice a day: Cream, ointments, shea butter and lotions seal in moisture. Choose a product or products that work well for you. Ideally, the best one for you will be safe, effective, affordable and unscented. Using petroleum jelly on your baby’s skin may help prevent development of atopic dermatitis.
• Take a daily bath or shower: Use warm, rather than hot, water and limit your bath or shower to about 10 minutes.
• Use a gentle, non-soap cleanser: Choose a cleanser that’s free of dyes, alcohol and fragrance. For young children, you usually need only warm water to get them clean — no soap or bubble bath needed. Soap can be especially irritating to the skin of young children. For people of any age, deodorant soaps and antibacterial soaps can remove too much of the skin’s natural oils and dry the skin. Don’t scrub the skin with a washcloth or loofah.
• Pat dry: After bathing, gently pat the skin with a soft towel. Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp (within three minutes).

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