Seborrheic Dermatitis (Seborrhea)

What Is It?

Seborrhea is a form of skin inflammation (dermatitis) that causes a red, oily, flaking skin rash in areas of the body where glands in the skin called sebaceous glands are most abundant the scalp, face and groin. In infants, it primarily affects the scalp, where it is called cradle cap. The causes of seborrheis dermatitis are unclear.

Although doctors recognize that seborrhea occurs in skin areas that have many sebaceous glands, they still do not know exactly why it develops there. Seborrhea is a common skin disorder that affects people who have no other health problems.

Symptoms

In infants, seborrhea appears as a scaly redness that usually is not itchy or uncomfortable. In some babies, it affects only the scalp (cradle cap), but in others, it also involves the neck creases, armpits or groin.

In adults and adolescents, seborrhea may affect only the scalp, appearing as either patchy or diffuse areas of redness and flaking. Other skin areas commonly affected include the eyebrows, eyelids, forehead, nose creases, outer ear, chest, underarms, groin, skin creases under the breasts, or skin between the buttocks. Although some adults and adolescents feel an itchy or burning irritation in areas of seborrhea, others don't have any discomfort. In some people, seborrhea flare-ups are triggered by stress.

Diagnosis

Your doctor usually can diagnose seborrhea by a simple physical examination.

Expected Duration

In infants, seborrhea typically is worst during the first year of life. It usually disappears on its own as the child grows, and it may return during the teenage years. In adults and adolescents, seborrhea tends to be a chronic condition that comes and goes over many years.

Prevention

Because doctors do not know what causes seborrhea, there is no way to prevent it. However, symptoms can be controlled with effective treatment.

Treatment

If you have an infant with cradle cap, your doctor may suggest applying baby oil to soften the scale, followed by shampooing with a mild baby shampoo to gently remove the scale. If this doesn't help, your doctor may recommend an anti-seborrhea shampoo. For skin areas outside the scalp, your doctor may prescribe hydrocortisone or an anti-yeast cream, because yeast sometimes can trigger seborrhea.

If you are an adult with scalp seborrhea, your doctor may suggest a shampoo containing coal tar, selenium sulfide, or zinc pyrithione. Brand names include Selsun Blue, Exelderm, Head & Shoulders, Zincon, and DHS zinc. Your doctor also may prescribe corticosteroid cream and shampoo containing ketoconazole. For other skin areas, hydrocortisone or anti-yeast cream can be rubbed directly into seborrhea patches.

When To Call A Professional

Call your doctor if you have not been able to control your seborrhea with shampoos and creams. Remember, the goal is control. There is no cure.

Prognosis

Cradle cap typically disappears on its own as a child grows. Other forms of seborrhea usually respond to treatment with shampoos and medication.

Additional Info

American Academy of Dermatology

P.O. Box 4014

Schaumburg, IL 60168-4014

Phone: (847) 330-0230

Toll-Free: (888) 462-3376

Fax: (847) 330-0050

http://www.aad.org/