Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a common inflammatory skin condition that can affect both adults and children. SD commonly presents as scaly, flaky skin on the scalp, also known as dandruff. It can also appear as a red rash on other areas of the face and body, such as the eyebrows, eyelids, nose creases, chest, groin area and armpits.
The exact cause of SD is unknown but it’s thought to be related to an overgrowth of a yeast called Malassezia that lives on the skin’s surface. Other factors that can contribute to SD are stress and a weakened immune system. It is not contagious or caused by poor hygiene but people with oily skin may be more prone to developing SD.
In infants, the most common area affected by SD is the head and neck region. In adults, SD is most likely to occur in areas where there are large concentrations of sebaceous glands (oil-producing glands), such as the scalp and face.
Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic Dermatitis is a skin condition that causes a red, itchy, and scaly rash. It most often affects the scalp (like dandruff), but can also be found on the ears, face, chest, or even groin area. It can appear at any age and is not contagious.
Seborrheic Dermatitis is very common. While it is most common in adults between the ages of 30-60 years old, it can affect anyone from infants to the elderly. An estimated 3% of the world’s population suffers from Seborrheic Dermatitis. A lot more people suffer from a milder version of Seborrheic Dermatitis called seborrhea or dandruff.
While dandruff and SD may look similar, they have different causes and thus different treatments (more on this later). The term Seborrheic Dermatitis is used when the rash on your skin is inflamed (red) and scaly.
Seborrheic Dermatitis is a skin condition that effects the sebum glands in your scalp. This can cause dry, flaky and itchy skin which is not pleasant at all.
Seborrheic Dermatitis (also known as SD for short) is a skin condition that effects the sebum glands in your scalp. This can cause dry, flaky and itchy skin which is not pleasant at all.
The most common area for this to happen is on the scalp, but it can also be found in other areas of the body such as the eyebrows, nose, ears, chest, back and groin.
Some people with SD often confuse it with Scalp Psoriasis because they are very similar conditions with similar symptoms however there are some key differences between them.
With SD, you will see yellow or white flakes on your scalp whereas with Psoriasis you will see silvery scales. With SD you will also suffer from redness and itchiness whereas Psoriasis does not usually cause this kind of irritation to your scalp.
SD causes can be linked to hormonal changes, stress, diet and weather conditions but there is no clear evidence that suggests any one particular cause for this condition so if someone tells you otherwise they
Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin disorder that mainly affects the scalp, causing itchy, yellow or white patchy scales or thick crusts that may attach to the hair shaft, as seen in the lower left side of the image below.
Seborrheic dermatitis can also affect oily areas of the body, such as the face, sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids and chest. In addition to a red rash with scaling and crusting of the skin (as shown below), seborrheic dermatitis can cause dandruff and itching.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition in infants, adolescents, and adults. The characteristic symptoms—scaly patches, red skin and stubborn dandruff—occur most often on the scalp, face, chest, back, and parts of the groin area.
Anyone can develop seborrheic dermatitis including infants. However, it typically begins in early adulthood and continues through middle age. People with Parkinson’s disease and those with a suppressed immune system due to HIV or certain medications are at highest risk for developing seborrheic dermatitis.
The cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, but the condition is linked to the body’s overproduction of oil (sebum) and a yeast (fungus) that normally lives on the skin. Seborrheic dermatitis occurs when this fungus grows rapidly and causes skin irritation.
Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrhea, is a common non-contagious condition of skin areas rich in oil glands (the face, scalp, and upper trunk). It is marked by redness and scales that resemble dandruff.
In infants, seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp is known as cradle cap. In adolescents and adults, it is often called dandruff.
Seborrheic dermatitis can occur with or without reddened skin. In infants, it tends to affect the scalp (cradle cap), but also may involve the forehead, eyebrows, eyelids, ears and nose.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common, chronic or relapsing form of eczema/dermatitis that mainly affects the sebaceous, gland-rich regions of the scalp, face, and trunk . Seborrheic dermatitis is sometimes associated with psoriasis (sebopsoriasis). It can be distinguished by its reddish-orange, greasy and scaly appearance. In infants it causes a thick, yellowish crust (“cradle cap”) on the scalp; this is probably the same condition known as pityriasis capitis in adolescents and adults.