Seborrheic dermatitis

SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS is a chronic condition that appears on the seborrheic areas: face, scalp and chest. It appears in the form of reddish plaques, which may be covered with yellow scales and may be accompanied by itching. Along the evolution, there are periods of exacerbation (usually autumn and spring) which alternate with periods of remission (the condition tends to calm down in the warm season).

Causes of seborrheic dermatitis:

• Increased production of sebum.
• The presence of a fungus on the skin that induces an inflammatory process.
• Individual susceptibility: genetic predisposition, immune status, response to stress.

An outbreak of atopic dermatitis can be induced by:

• Change of seasons (changes in temperature, humidity).
• Stressful/tiring periods.
• Impaired immune status.
• Trauma (itching, scratching).

I was talking about the presence of a fungus (Malassezia). It should be mentioned that it is not an infection, but rather an abnormal immune response to the presence of this fungus on the skin (the fungus is normally found on the skin of most people).

Seborrheic dermatitis usually appears during puberty and affects the individual until adulthood, with a decrease in the number of cases observed in the elderly. Cases of seborrheic dermatitis seem to be more severe among men.

How does seborrheic dermatitis present itself?

• Reddish plaques, sometimes inflamed.
• Accompanied by a burning/itching sensation.
• Covered with yellow scales.
• It evolves in stages: periods of activity that alternate with periods of remission.

Where can seborrheic dermatitis occur?

• Scalp.
• Face: eyebrows, eyelids (including along the eyelashes), nasolabial folds, beard.
• Retroauricular area.
• Thorax: intermammary region.
• Folds.

Even if it seems to you that you recognize certain symptoms in the previous description, the visit to the dermatologist should not be postponed because the differential diagnoses include: lupus, contact dermatitis, skin manifestations of gastrointestinal diseases, post-medication eruptions.

It is important to treat seborrheic dermatitis because it can become superinfected.

How do we treat seborrheic dermatitis?

Although it is not a fungal infection, topical antifungals are used as the first line of treatment. Malassezia strains degrade sebum into free fatty acids that have an irritating effect on the skin. By decreasing the activity of these fungi, the inflammatory process is calmed down.

For certain cases, short-term dermocorticoids can be used. Keratolytic products have proven to be effective by the simple fact that they exfoliate the skin. Immunomodulatory agents balance the inflammatory balance at the local level.

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