What is the best treatment for seborrheic dermatitis?

Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
Updated on September 17, 2024
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Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic papular and scaly superficial inflammatory skin disease that occurs in areas where sebum is secreted and may be accompanied by varying degrees of itching. Its treatment generally includes three aspects. The first is topical medication treatment, which primarily focuses on degreasing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-itch properties. Common medications include tacrolimus, pimecrolimus, compound miconazole cream, compound econazole cream, zinc oxide oil, furacyclin ointment, boric acid zinc oxide menthol ointment, etc. For the scalp, shampoos containing ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, or salicylic acid can be used. The second aspect involves oral medication, generally supplementing with vitamin B2, B6, compound vitamin B, or zinc-containing preparations. Antihistamines may be used when itching is severe, erythromycin or tetracycline for bacterial infections, and oral itraconazole for fungal infections or widespread lesions. The third aspect is to advise patients to maintain regular living habits, get enough sleep, regulate their diet, limit polysaccharides and high-fat diets, avoid spicy and stimulating foods, reduce alcohol consumption, and eat more vegetables and fruits, avoiding various mechanical irritations.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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What department should I go to for seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrheic eczema, is a chronic, papular, scaly superficial inflammatory skin disease that occurs in areas where sebum is excessively secreted. It is more common in adults and newborns, but can occur at any age. The main symptoms include follicular papules appearing on the scalp, face, chest, and back, which then merge into large, yellowish-red or dark red patches. These patches are covered with greasy scales and crusts, and may be accompanied by exudation, crusting, erosion, and eczema-like changes. In severe cases, it can spread throughout the body, causing diffuse erythema and significant scaling all over, along with varying degrees of itching. This disease is a chronic condition that can recur repeatedly. It is one of the most common diseases in dermatological practice. Therefore, patients with seborrheic dermatitis should consult a dermatologist.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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What ointment should be used for seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrheic eczema, is a chronic papular scaly superficial inflammatory skin disease that occurs in areas where sebum is secreted. It can be accompanied by varying degrees of itchiness and commonly occurs on the scalp, face, chest, back, and other areas rich in sebaceous glands. The general principle for topical treatment of seborrheic dermatitis involves degreasing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-itching measures. Commonly used topical medications include combined formulations containing corticosteroids and antifungals such as compound ketoconazole and compound econazole. When these are not effective, calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus or pimecrolimus can be used. In cases with exudation and erosion, products like zinc oxide ointment, boric acid zinc oxide menthol cream, and erythromycin eye ointment may be selected.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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What are the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrheic eczema, is a chronic, superficial inflammatory skin disease characterized by papular and scaly inflammation that occurs in areas of sebum secretion. It can be associated with varying degrees of itching and is commonly seen in adults and newborns. The main symptoms include hair follicle papules appearing in areas of sebum secretion such as the scalp, face, chest, and back, which then merge into dark red or yellow-red patches. These patches are covered with greasy scales and crusts, which can lead to exudation, crusting, and erosion, manifesting eczematous changes. In severe cases, the lesions can spread throughout the body, leading to diffuse erythema and significant desquamation. At this stage, it is referred to as seborrheic erythroderma. This condition is chronic and may have recurrent episodes.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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How to Treat Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrheic eczema, is a chronic papular scaly superficial inflammatory skin disease that occurs in areas with excess sebum secretion. It can be accompanied by varying degrees of itching and typically occurs in areas with abundant sebaceous glands such as the scalp, face, chest, and back. The treatment generally includes three aspects: The first aspect involves advising patients to maintain a regular lifestyle, get sufficient sleep, avoid various mechanical stimuli, use less hot water and soap with high alkalinity for bathing, and pay attention to their diet by limiting and reducing the intake of polysaccharides and fats, alcohol, and spicy and irritating foods, while consuming more fruits and vegetables. The second aspect is the treatment with topical medications. Commonly used medications include mixed preparations containing corticosteroids and antifungal drugs, such as compound miconazole and compound econazole. If the effect is unsatisfactory, topical calcineurin inhibitors such as pimecrolimus or tacrolimus can be used. If there is exudation or erosion, zinc oxide ointment or erythromycin ointment can be chosen. For scalp lesions, shampoos containing ketoconazole or selenium sulfide can be used. The third aspect is the treatment with oral medications, which generally includes supplementation with B vitamins such as vitamin B2, vitamin B6, and compound vitamin B, or zinc-containing preparations. For severe itching, antihistamines can be taken orally. In cases of fungal infection or widespread lesions, oral itraconazole can be administered, and for bacterial infections, tetracycline or erythromycin can be prescribed.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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What medicine to take orally for seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrheic eczema, is a chronic, superficial inflammatory skin disease characterized by papular and scaly lesions predominantly occurring in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the head, face, and trunk, often accompanied by varying degrees of itching. The exact causes of the condition are not fully understood, but it is generally believed to be associated with an increase in sebum secretion or changes in its chemical composition, as well as colonization and infection by Malassezia yeast. Factors such as stress, diet, alcohol consumption, and deficiency in B vitamins can also affect the occurrence and development of the disease to different extents. Therefore, there are not many systemic pharmacological treatments available for seborrheic dermatitis clinically. Main treatments include oral administration of vitamin B2, vitamin B6, complex vitamin B, or zinc-containing preparations. Antipruritic sedatives may be administered orally when itching is severe. Oral itraconazole can be used for fungal infections or widespread lesions, and oral tetracycline, erythromycin, etc., can be used for bacterial infections. In severe, widespread cases, or when there is a tendency towards erythroderma, short-term use of steroids may be necessary.