Seborrheic Dermatitis is related to common dandruff and can cause the same type of heartache among individuals who suffer from it. The very visible symptoms can be embarrassing and uncomfortable, though the condition itself is not serious. It can not be cured but through regular, diligent treatment symptoms can be reduced and controlled.
The condition commonly affects the face, ears, eyebrows, scalp, and sometimes the chest. It presents with scaly, itchy, red skin that often flakes off. It is not contagious, nor is it a sign of poor personal hygiene.
Seborrheic Dermatitis of the scalp in infants is known as cradle cap. Cradle cap will usually clear up on its own within a few months, but gentle cleaning of your baby’s scalp with a mild baby shampoo can help.
What causes severe dandruff of the scalp?
A yeast variety called Malassezia ovalis that grows on the skin causes seborrheic dermatitis. People prone to the condition are usually genetically susceptible to this condition. It is usually worse in the colder months.
Other factors that can contribute to the development of the condition include stress and fatigue, which can take an enormous toll on the entire body. Seborrheic dermatitis also tends to be more prevalent among individuals with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease as well as those with HIV/AIDS.
What are the seborrheic treatment options?
Treatment is a matter of control rather than cure. Seborrheic dermatitis usually responds to topical therapy. The treatment depends on its site as well as its severity.
Sebulex Shampoo, which can be purchased without a prescription, should be used every other day to wash the scalp. The more often you shampoo the less likely you are to have this problem. Other good shampoos are Head and Shoulders and Selsun Blue.
Shampoos that contain conditioners can make one more prone to this condition. If you use a shampoo with conditioner alternate it with one that has no conditioner.
The use of Sebizon Lotion with your favorite pomade is an effective treatment for this problem.
A good treatment regimen for non scalp areas is Nizoral cream applied to the face twice a day followed by hydrocortisone cream (hydrocortisone 1% cream can be bought at the drug store without a prescription). These two medicines can be applied at the same time (okay to mix the two on the face). Nizoral is only available with a prescription.
Antifungal creams and ointments such as Lamisil have also been effective at controlling symptoms in some individuals as have whole-body medications that work to limit immune response. Because these types of medications carry serious side effects, including an increased risk of developing cancer, researchers have begun looking deeper into the causers of the condition to try and isolate a particular gene that can trigger it.
There has been some success in this research, leading to hope for new and more effective treatments for severe dandruff in the not so distant future.