Seborrhea diagnosis and treatment

EtiologyThe etiology of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, although it is believed that;

  • Increased secretion and retention of sebum on the skin may act as an irritant and alter the epidermal function following percutaneous absorption. In some cases, however, the sebum production may be normal or reduced.
  • Pityrosporum ovale colonizes the scaly epidermis and induces inflammation.
  • It may be associated with parkinsonism. Treatment with levodopa reduces seborrhea in addition to ameliorating the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
  • Seborrhea may be a manisfestation of zinc deficiency syndrome.

Clinical FeaturesIt presents as inflammatory, erythematous scaly eruption, the margins of which may be well defined or indistinct. The scales are yellow in color and greasy in consistency. The disease has a centrocorporeal distribution to tending to localize in ares with high density of sebaceous glands, namely the scalp, forehead, eyebrows, paranasal folds, and retroauricular areas.

Infantile Seborreic Dermatitis

  • Cradle cap
  • Seborrheic dermatitis
  • Leiner's disease
  • Acne neonatorum

Seborrheic Dermatitis of Adults

  • Scalp seborrheic dermatitisPityriasis sicca/ seborrhea capitis/dandruff
  • Inflammatory seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp

Facial seborrheic dermatitis

  • Pityriasis oleosa/ oily skin
  • Marginal blepharitis
  • Acne vulgaris
  • Rosacea
  • Nasolabial seborrheic dermatitis
  • Seborrheic dermatitis of the beard
  • Otitis externa
  • Intertriginous/ flexural seborrheic dermatitis
  • Exfoliative dermatitis secondary to seborrheic dermatitis

DiagnosisThe diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis is clinical. however, it needs to be differentiated from the following disorders which may sttimulate it closely.

TreatmentSeborrheic dermatitis is responsive to topical steroids. One percent hydrocotisone is usually potent enough to provide symptomatic improvemystemic ketoconazole improves seborrheic dermatitis; how ever, it recurs when the drug is stopped. Also the potential side effects of this drug make it unsuitable for long term therapy.

  • Unani HerbalTreatment Tukhm khatmi, Isbgol musallim, Tukhm katan each 6 gm, and Parshiya wasan 20 gm, then make decoction of parshiya wasan in 4 cup of water and boiled when 2 cup remains, mix all above herbs in this decoction and put at affected area at night and wash with luke warm water in morning.
  • Massage scalp with a mixture made of equal quantities of lime juice and vinegar. Wash hair with egg shampoo after this.
  • Fenugreek is very effective in preventing dandruff, hair fall and baldness. Soak fenugreek seeds in water overnight and grind it into a fine paste the following morning. Leave this paste applied on the scalp for 30 to 45 minutes and then wash it with a mild shampoo.
  • Boil neem leaves in water and use this water to rinse hair.
  • Massage scalp with warm coconut for half an hour atleast twice a week