Seborrhoeic Eczema/Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
Symptoms
Seborrhoeic Eczema/Seborrhoeic Dermatitis appears as dry or greasy scaling of the scalp (mild dandruff) in adults but can also appear on the face (particularly the eyebrows and cheeks), ears, chest and the back of the neck.
In more severe cases, it can appear as thick crusts.
Who does it Affect?
Where it appears in babies, particularly new-borns, it is most commonly referred to as cradle cap.
Psoriasis may be preceded by Seborrhoeic Eczema/Seborrhoeic Dermatitis. A high percentage of HIV positive people suffer from the condition, and the severity increases as their immune system becomes weaker.
Possible Causes
It is believed to be caused by a yeast sensitivity. Research is inconclusive but many people respond to antifungal treatments.
Factors such as genetic factors, emotional stress, and climate can affect the appearance and the severity, and certain medications can aggravate the condition.
The condition is usually worse over the winter months.
Modern medicine
Shampoos containing zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, sulfur and salicylic acid, ketonazole or coal tar are recommended for adults. Hair should be shampooed more frequently, and shampoo should be left on for a longer period during shampooing.
Tar treatments can be applied and left overnight, and shampooed out the following day.
Antifungal creams are an alternative to steroid based treatments. Aloe vera gel can also be effective without side effects.
A steroid based lotion or cream is also recommended until the condition is under control.
For facial areas, a cortisone cream is often used to treat the condition, however, this is not recommended for long term use because side effects can include thinning of the skin and breaking out in lesions similar to acne.
The skin may also become reliant on the steroid and can flare up when medication is discontinued.
To treat infants, warm olive oil can be massaged into the scalp to loosen the scales. A mild cortisone cream can be applied twice daily.
Young children are treated with a mixture of olive oil containing salicylic acid, and applied at bedtime to affected areas with a soft toothbrush. Daily shampooing is recommended until the condition has improved.
Oral ketoconazole is also used to treat more severe cases that won't respond to other treatments.
Natural alternatives
Massage olive oil into the affected areas of the scalp.
Harsh, detergent based shampoos can irritate the scalp. Instead, shampoo the scalp with a detergent free shampoo that will not cause further irritation.
Where children and babies have thick scale, rub the scalp with olive oil at bedtime to soften the crust, and shampoo the hair the following day.
A diet rich in essential fatty acids such as omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil or evening primrose oil) can be of benefit to prevent frequency and severity of the condition.
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