Seborrheic dermatitis why

If you want to diminish a noticeable scar, know these 10 things before having laser treatment. Having acne can feel devastating for a teenager. Here are 5 things you can do to help your teen. Find out what helps. If your child develops scabies, everyone in your household will need treatment. Follow this advice to treat everyone safely and effectively.

We're helping you achieve YourHealthiestSkin from head to toe. Use these tips from dermatologists to keep all your skin looking and feeling its best. AAD Shade Structures provide permanent outdoor shade in areas that are not protected from the sun. When it comes to treating the skin, plenty of people say they have expertise. Only a board-certified dermatologist has these credentials. Seborrheic dermatitis typically appears on areas of the skin with a high concentration of sebaceous glands , which are glands on your skin that release an oily, waxy substance called sebum.

On the face, seborrheic dermatitis typically appears in places that have hair — like your eyebrows and eyelashes, as well as in mustaches and beards. It can also appear on your forehead, external ear canal, in the folds behind your ears, and around your mouth and nose.

Seborrheic dermatitis on the face may make the skin appear red, swollen, and greasy in appearance. White or yellow crusty scales may develop in more severe cases. Seborrheic dermatitis may also appear on the trunk. It typically develops on and around folds of the body — including your navel, groin, and armpit as well as below the breasts, and in the skin folds around the genitals. Seborrhea is typically symmetrically distributed on the body.

Your doctor will likely recommend that you try home remedies before considering medical treatments. Dandruff shampoos are frequently used to treat seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp. They usually need to be used every day for optimal results. Make sure to follow all instructions on the bottle carefully. It often goes away within 6 months. The symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis are often aggravated by various factors, including stress , change of seasons, and heavy alcohol use.

The types of symptoms that develop can vary from person to person. As mentioned, seborrheic dermatitis tends to develop in oily areas of the body. It most often affects the scalp, but it can also occur in the following areas:. But it does appear that your risk of developing the condition increases if a close family member has it.

The symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis are similar to those of other skin conditions, including rosacea and psoriasis. To make an accurate diagnosis, your doctor will perform a physical examination and carefully inspect the affected areas. Your doctor may also want to perform a biopsy before making a diagnosis. During this procedure, your doctor will scrape off skin cells from the affected area. These samples will then be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results will help to rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms.

Not all cases of seborrheic dermatitis can be managed solely through the use of OTC dandruff shampoos.

Oral medications, prescription shampoos, and medicinal creams or gels for the scalp and other areas of the body can be used for severe symptoms and more serious cases. It usually appears in babies and disappears before puberty. Another cause may be a fungus. The fungus is called malassezia. It is present on the skin in small numbers. Sometimes the numbers increase and lead to skin problems.

Seborrheic dermatitis has been linked to neurologic disorders. Doctors do not know why. Other factors include:. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and do a physical exam of your skin and scalp.

If your doctor is uncertain about whether you have the condition, he or she may have you get a skin biopsy. This involved in cutting or scraping off a small sample of the affected skin. This step is rare.

If the condition is genetic, it cannot be prevented. Most other causes cannot be prevented. However, you can reduce the severity of symptoms. Controlling risk factors and careful skin care can help. Treatment depends on your age and location of the symptoms. Several over-the-counter and medicated shampoos can relieve the flaking and dryness.

You do not need a prescription for these products. Look for a product that says it treats seborrheic dermatitis. Important ingredients include salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc, resorcin, ketoconazole and selenium sulfide. Other treatments that could help include phototherapy. This is a medical procedure in which your skin is carefully exposed to ultraviolet light. Moderate sunlight is helpful. Seborrheic dermatitis is considered chronic. Also, it is a life-long condition.

It comes and goes, and it can be controlled with treatment. The negative effects of living with the condition are additional fungal infections and emotional distress. Most people who live with seborrheic dermatitis feel embarrassed and have low self-esteem.