How to completely cure seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp?

Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
Updated on September 29, 2024
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Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrheic eczema, is a chronic, superficial inflammatory skin disease characterized by papular scaly rashes, predominantly occurring in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the head, face, and trunk. The exact cause of this disease is still not fully understood. It is mainly believed to be related to an increase in sebum secretion or changes in its chemical composition. Additionally, colonization and infection by Malassezia yeast, along with factors like stress, diet, deficiency in B vitamins, and alcohol consumption can all influence the occurrence and development of this condition to varying degrees. Due to these factors, the disease has a chronic course and may relapse repeatedly. Seborrheic dermatitis occurring on the scalp, although clinically curable, can still experience flare-ups. Its symptoms mainly include oily hair, scalp papules, erythema, dandruff, and itching. Clinical treatment primarily involves the use of shampoos containing ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, or salicylic acid. This can be accompanied by oral antihistamines, supplementation with B vitamins, or zinc-containing preparations. It is crucial to maintain regular life habits, ensure sufficient sleep, restrict diets high in polysaccharides and fats, increase the consumption of vegetables and fruits, avoid alcohol and spicy irritant foods, use less hot water and strongly alkaline soaps for bathing, and avoid various types of mechanical irritation to reduce the recurrence of scalp seborrheic dermatitis.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
1min 32sec home-news-image

What is the best treatment for seborrheic dermatitis?

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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Is seborrheic dermatitis itchy?

Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrheic eczema, is a chronic papular scaly superficial inflammatory skin disease that occurs in areas of excessive sebum secretion. It is commonly found in areas rich in sebaceous glands, such as the head, face, and trunk. The characteristic skin lesions primarily consist of follicular papules that gradually merge into dark red or yellow-red patches, covered with greasy scales or crusts. There may be exudation, crusting, erosion, and eczematous changes. In severe cases, it can spread over the entire body, causing diffuse erythema and significant scaling. The condition may be accompanied by varying degrees of itching.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Why does seborrheic dermatitis keep recurring?

Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrheic eczema, is a chronic, superficial, papular, scaly inflammatory skin disease that occurs in areas where sebum is excessively secreted, and can be accompanied by varying degrees of itching. The causes of the disease are generally believed to be related to an increase in sebum secretion or changes in the chemical composition of sebum, as well as colonization and infection by Malassezia yeast. Additionally, factors such as mental stress, diet, alcohol consumption, deficiency of B vitamins, fatigue, emotional stress, and infections can all affect the occurrence and development of the disease to varying degrees. Due to the complex causes and numerous triggers of seborrheic dermatitis, it has a chronic course and can recur repeatedly.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
1min 43sec home-news-image

How to treat symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic papular and scaly superficial inflammatory skin disease that occurs in areas where sebum is secreted. It is often accompanied by varying degrees of itching and commonly affects areas with abundant sebaceous glands, such as the head, face, and trunk. The disease is chronic and may recur periodically. Treatment generally includes three aspects: Firstly, patients should be informed to maintain a regular lifestyle, get sufficient sleep, avoid various mechanical irritations, use less hot water and strongly alkaline soaps for bathing, and pay attention to their diet. They should try to reduce or limit the intake of polysaccharides, alcohol, and spicy foods, while consuming more vegetables and fruits. Secondly, topical medications are used, generally choosing formulations that contain corticosteroids and antifungal agents, such as compound miconazole and compound econazole. If the response is inadequate, calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus can be used. Zinc oxide ointment, boric acid and zinc oxide camphor ointment, and erythromycin ointment can be used when there are exuding erosions. If the scalp is affected, shampoos containing ketoconazole or selenium sulfide may be used. Thirdly, oral medication treatments typically include supplementation with B vitamins such as vitamin B2, B6, complex B vitamins, or zinc-containing formulations. For severe itching, antihistamines can be taken orally. Oral itraconazole may be used for fungal infections or widespread lesions. Tetracycline or erythromycin may be used for bacterial infections.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
1min 31sec home-news-image

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.