Aggressive detergents, solvents, chemicals and soaps. If you are born with naturally oily skin, you are more likely to have this type of dermatitis. Your family’s history of psoriasis also makes you vulnerable. If you live in a dry and cold region, the weather does not cause seborrheic dermatitis, but it makes it worse.
The cause is not yet known. It may be due in part to the body’s response to a type of yeast that grows on the skin, along with the additional production of oil. Seborrheic dermatitis can be inherited. Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammation of the upper layers of the skin, characterized by red, itchy skin that gives off scales.
Seborrheic dermatitis can be an inherited condition. It is often aggravated by hormonal changes and cold weather conditions. Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition that is easy to diagnose due to its appearance on the affected skin and where it appears on the body. Treatments for seborrheic dermatitis of the face and body include topical antifungals, corticosteroids, and calcineurin inhibitors.
If you are concerned if you have psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis, see your healthcare provider. A complete medical history and physical exam help the health care provider diagnose seborrheic dermatitis. However, some scientists believe that genes and hormones may play a role in the origin of seborrheic dermatitis. If you have seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, you can try some of the over-the-counter dandruff shampoos.
If you’re a teenager or an adult with seborrheic dermatitis, you might be more likely if you have higher-than-normal androgen levels, a higher level of skin lipids, or if you have overgrowth of yeast that is always present on the surface of your skin. Seborrheic dermatitis in infants is commonly referred to as “cradle cap” because it most often appears on the scalp. Your healthcare provider may prescribe these products if antifungal products fail to eliminate seborrheic dermatitis or to treat flare-ups. Because seborrheic dermatitis may look like other skin conditions, see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
In adolescents and adults, seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp (dandruff) or face and body is a condition that comes and goes throughout life. UV-A and UV-B light from the sun have been shown to kill the type of yeast that grows excessively on the skin of people suffering from seborrheic dermatitis. One such study, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (201), found that a “Western dietary pattern consisting mainly of meat and processed foods that have been cooked, canned, frozen, dried, baked and packaged could trigger seborrheic dermatitis. In adolescents and adults, seborrheic dermatitis usually does not go away on its own without treatment.
If you think you have seborrheic dermatitis on your face or body, see your healthcare provider or dermatologist.
