Treatment options for Seborrhoeic Dermatitis

Seborrhoeic dermatitis most often affects the scalp and causes scaly, red patches to appear. Its global prevalence is 3-5%. (Source: Medscape) It’s the result of an allergy or an autoimmune reaction.

Symptoms

In children, seborrhoeic dermatitis appears as a scaly redness that typically is not scratchy. In some children, it affects only the scalp. But in others, it involves the neck creases, armpits or groin. In adults and adolescents, seborrhoeic dermatitis might affect only the scalp, appearing as either patchy or diffuse areas of redness and flaking. Other skin areas commonly affected include:

• Eyebrows
• Eyelids
• Forehead
• Nose creases
• Outer ear
• Chest
• Underarms
• Groin

Even though some adults and adolescents feel an itchy or burning irritation in the seborrheic area, others don't have any uneasiness. In some, seborrheic dermatitis flareups are activated by stress.

Expected duration

In babies, seborrhoeic dermatitis is characteristically worse during the first year of life. It typically goes on its own as the kid grows. And it might return during the teenage years. In grownups and teenagers, seborrhoeic dermatitis tends to be a chronic condition that comes and goes over many years.

Treatment options

• Creams, shampoos or ointments that control inflammation

You can apply prescribed creams, shampoos or ointments to the scalp or other affected area. They are effective and easy to use, but should be used carefully. If used for many weeks or months without a break, they can cause side-effects like thinning skin or skin showing streaks or lines. Creams or lotions containing calcineurin inhibitors tacrolimus might be effective and have fewer side-effects than corticosteroids do. But they are not first-choice treatments as the Food and Drug Administration has apprehensions about a likely connotation with cancer. Furthermore, tacrolimus cost more than mild corticosteroid medications.

• Antifungal medication

If your condition isn't improving with other treatments, an antifungal medication can be taken in pill form. These are not a first choice for treatment because of likely side-effects.