Seborrheic dermatitis is a certain type of medical condition characterized by inflammation on certain areas of the skin which have hair growing on them. It may also occur on the areas of the skin which tend to be much more oily or greasy than usual. It is actually a very common medical condition because it affects 3 out of 100 persons at any one time. The age group which is between 30 and 60 is the one mostly affected by seborrheic dermatitis.It is a peculiar fact that seborrheic dermatitis may affect babies who are under three months old, but in such cases it appears a little bit different than the seborrheic dermatitis which affects adults. Even when it occurs in babies, seborrheic dermatitis is not a harmful or serious medical condition, and in most cases it gets resolved on its own without the need for any specific treatment method.
How it manifests
Seborrheic dermatitis is commonly characterized by red skin with white or yellowish scales and an overall greasy look. The areas which are affected with seborrheic dermatitis most commonly include scalp, face, ears, central chest and flexures. A person may experience itchiness, but skin soreness does not occur that often. It is largely unknown what exactly causes the development of seborrheic dermatitis. Numerous scientific studies have shown that it may be associated with a certain type of yeast which is known as malassezia. This type of yeast normally grows on the skin of humans, but those who suffer from seborrheic dermatitis have it in abundant amounts. A doctor can diagnose seborrheic dermatitis simply by looking at the patient’s skin. There are no specific tests that need to be conduct. The condition may sometimes look similar to psoriasis and it is not that uncommon for these two medical conditions to overlap. If a person suffers from more serious type of seborrheic dermatitis he or she needs to pay a visit to a dermatologist. The treatment methods for seborrheic dermatitis are aimed at reducing inflammations. The best treatment options include antidandruff shampoo, anti yeast shampoo and corticosteroid lotions or gels.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis in babies
When it occurs in babies, seborrheic dermatitis is commonly characterized by greasy scaling patches which are usually yellow or white and they occur on the scalp. It may affect other body parts as well, but it does not cause any other symptoms. Baby shampoo and baby oil are usually enough to gradually alleviate the symptoms and cure the condition.
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