Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic fungal skin disease. Those areas where the sebaceous glands are located, that is, anywhere on the human body, except for the soles of the feet and palms, are affected. The disease is caused by the fungus Malassezia furfur. Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp is known to many - this is dandruff, it is constantly present in most of the population of any country. The disease is more susceptible to middle-aged men. Most often, the fungus affects the face, scalp, and only in 25% of cases - the rest of the body.
Reasons
The fungus Malassezia furfur is a constant companion of human life, it is present on the skin and does not manifest itself before the onset of provoking factors, the immune system controls the process of its reproduction and suppresses bursts of activity in time. There are two forms of the fungus - oval (concentrated on the scalp) and round (localized on the body).
Normal concentrationthe oval form of the fungus is up to 50%, with seborrhea, its concentration increases to 90%. The following factors cause the growth of fungal flora:
- Endocrinopathy, failures in the hormonal system (imbalance of testosterone and estrogen in women, high concentration of testosterone in men). Some diseases provoke seborrheic dermatitis. Treatment of the underlying pathology guarantees getting rid of the increased level of fungal flora.
- Diseases of the nervous system (central, autonomic). The risk of developing the fungus is in patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, epilepsy, infectious psychosis, lethargic encephalitis, etc.
- Immunodeficiency, weakening of the protective functions of the body (HIV, AIDS, helminthiasis, diabetes mellitus, etc.).
- Stress causes a decrease in immunity, failure of the hormonal system, which also provokes the development of pathological microflora, which is the cause of seborrheic dermatitis. Treatment of the nervous system is often enough to completely get rid of the disease.
- Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (dysbacteriosis, pancreatitis, gastroduodenitis, peptic ulcer, ileitis, bile stasis, colitis, helminthiasis, etc.).
- Use of certain pharmacological drugs (glucocorticosteroids, androgenic and contraceptive drugs, aggressive cosmetic procedures and products).
Also, the cause of seborrheic dermatitis is the neglect of basic hygiene rules or the excessive use of cleansing and drying skin care products.
Symptoms
A characteristic manifestation of seborrheic dermatitis is a lesion of the skin on the head, eyebrows, eyelashes. The classic symptoms also include the activation of the fungal flora in the behind-the-ear region, on the chin, in the growth zone of the mustache, beard. Localization of the body lesion is most often found in the chest area and sometimes manifests itself in the groin and axillary region.
Symptoms include:
- Various skin irritations, discoloration of the epidermis. Redness is localized and itchy, as the fungal flora increases, the spots become covered with yellowish scales. The phenomenon is often observed on the wings of the nose and the adjacent area of the cheeks, on the forehead, cheekbones. The patient is prescribed tests to exclude the diagnosis of lupus erythematosus. If the pathology affects the area behind the ears or armpits, bleeding cracks may appear.
- Exfoliation is caused by active rejection of the stratum corneum of the skin. As the fungal colony grows, the life cycle of the cells is disrupted and their constant death occurs. The process is accompanied by severe itching, which characterizes seborrheic dermatitis.
- The appearance of dry and weeping scales. Intensive rejection of dead skin cells at the first stage looks like small scales, gradually they are saturated with fat and stray into larger formations - plaques. In advanced cases, plaques cover large areas, an infection can join, under the influence of which suppuration develops. The scalp is crusted with blood. In places of educationfolds, the skin painfully cracks, a purulent process starts.
- Polymorphic rash is a complication of a fungal infection, formed when a bacterial infection is attached. In addition to peeling, itching, seborrheic plaques with papules in the center form on the face.
- Acne is a consequence of seborrheic dermatitis. Dead cells clog the sebaceous passage and the hair follicle, stagnation, suppuration and, as a result, acne occurs. The development of complications can be observed on the back, chest, face, neck.
Hair Hazards
Treatment of dry seborrheic dermatitis must be started in the early stages, when small scales are a manifestation of the disease. If you do not take therapeutic measures, then dry seborrhea will progress, and problems will accumulate. The scales will be saturated with fat, they will thicken and form crusts. Itching and irritation over the entire affected surface will intensify. Attachment of a bacterial infection will cause the formation of pustular inflammation.
In addition to the obvious cosmetic defect in the form of flakes falling off the hair, rapid pollution, there is also the danger of baldness. The secreted fat near the hair follicle is quickly blocked by dead cells and clusters of crusts form around the hair, which tightly envelop the base. In a certain period, the crusts fall off along with the damaged hair. The follicle does not die, but the hair grows thin, brittle due to lack of nutrients, and the cause is seborrheic dermatitis. Treatmentappointed with the use of external agents. Hair loss is often massive.
Seborrhea on the body
Fungal lesions of the skin of the face - one of the most common. People under the age of 25 are often diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis. Treatment is carried out in several directions. The first symptoms of a fungal infection are red spots with clearly defined boundaries. Gradually, they become covered with flaky and itchy plaques.
Seborrheic dermatitis is more severe in men. Treatment of fungal flora on the face faces certain difficulties if there is a mustache and beard. In these places, the lesion takes the form of large plaques, quickly turning into papules, which can cause erythroderma.
Often, dry scales form on the eyelids, mainly in the ciliary contour, in this case the disease is called seborrheic blepharitis. It causes redness of the eyelids, swelling, and sometimes cracks appear. With the advanced form of the disease, the eyelids stick together, opening the eyes in the morning becomes a painful task.
Parts of the body are also prone to seborrheic dermatitis. Treatment must begin immediately, since the spread of a fungal infection can cause numerous suppurations. Basically, the manifestations of the disease are localized in the chest and between the shoulder blades on the back. Scales form into large plaques of irregular shape. It can often be observed that in the middle of the formation, the skin has a he althy appearance, and peripheral growths capture new areas of the skin.
Diagnosis
A person who has found signs or symptoms of a fungal infection should consult a dermatologist for confirmation or refutation of the diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis. The specialist will prescribe treatment after a thorough study.
Diagnostic methods:
- Surveying the patient (identifying possible hereditary factors, the presence of chronic diseases, recent illnesses, medications taken, etc.).
- General and dermatological examination (the forms of manifestation of the disease, the degree of damage and development, the determination of the possibility of the presence of other skin diseases - eczema, psoriasis, etc.) are analyzed.
- Assignments for laboratory tests (blood test - hormonal and glucose levels, fecal examination for helminthiasis and dysbacteriosis).
- Attracting narrow specialists for additional consultations (according to indications). The success of the procedures largely depends on what provoked dry seborrheic dermatitis (causes). Symptoms may indicate endocrinological problems (elevated testosterone, glucose) or gastroenterology (gastrointestinal pathologies).
Drug groups
Many people know seborrheic dermatitis and its causes. Treatment is carried out in a complex, several types of drugs. Some of them are taken in the form of tablets and injections, some are used for external therapy.
The following remedies are used for treatment:
- Antihistamines, antiallergic drugs. The purpose of the application isremoval of irritation, itching, swelling and discoloration of the skin. Most often, medicines are taken in the form of tablets or injections, the duration of administration is limited to one week.
- Antifungal drugs work directly on the fungus that causes seborrheic dermatitis. Treatment includes ointments and creams, shampoos for external use. This drug group is designed to stop the reproduction of pathogenic flora. The main active ingredients of these drugs are clotrimazole, fluconazole, etc.
- Glucocorticoid drugs are used in severe forms of lesions for topical external use. In addition to ointments and creams, a specialist may prescribe a tablet form for systemic treatment. The composition of the tablets can be combined with the inclusion of antifungal agents.
- Keratolytic drugs - soften and exfoliate dead cells, seborrheic plaques, scales. The composition of the preparations includes salicylic acid, zinc, urea.
- Antibacterial therapy is prescribed for complications caused by seborrheic dermatitis. Treatment with drugs with antibacterial action includes the appointment of antibiotics of the tetracycline group. Starting therapy begins with a high dosage, which is gradually reduced.
Diet
The doctor recommends that every patient review the nutrition system, this step is extremely useful for patients with seborrheic dermatitis. Effective treatments will only achieve goals if all conditions are meteffective therapy, as well as provide stable remission.
The patient should limit the consumption of fatty foods, confectionery, spicy, s alty. Alcohol, carbonated drinks are completely excluded. It is necessary to enrich the diet with natural foods high in fiber, cereals, vitamin drinks from fruits and berries, herbal teas.
If diseases of the gastrointestinal tract were the cause of seborrheic dermatitis, then the treatment must be coordinated with a gastroenterologist who will advise a dietary table of therapeutic nutrition. Strictly adhere to the rules of cooking and choosing products is necessary for ulcerative pathologies, colitis.
Medications
Currently, pharmaceutical companies produce a range of drugs for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. The funds are available in several forms, the specialist selects drugs, combining drugs for the systemic treatment of fungal infections.
External remedies successfully overcome seborrheic dermatitis. Treatment with ointments and creams is carried out taking into account their action:
- Anti-inflammatory, to eliminate swelling, redness, itching, peeling - Hydrocortisol Butyrate, Dexamethasone, Alcometasone, Silkaren.
- Complex action (antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial) is exerted by ointments "Triderm", "Skin-cap" (production forms - ointment, shampoo, aerosol).
- Lotion "Belosalik" - has antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatoryaction. Eliminates puffiness, itching.
- Salicylic ointment eliminates suppuration, cleanses wounds, promotes skin regeneration and healing of injuries, regulates the secretory function of the epidermis.
- Emulsion "Advantan" - relieves swelling, pain, reduces irritation, redness, peeling.
Ointments, emulsions, lotions are used externally in places where seborrheic dermatitis is found. Effective treatment on the face requires applying the agent to the affected area of the skin, capturing the he althy areas of the epidermis adjacent to the focus of inflammation with the therapeutic drug. The duration of application is determined by the attending physician, depending on the degree of seborrheic dermatitis.
Treatment of the scalp requires the use of special shampoos. It is recommended to wash your hair with these detergents:
- Friederm with zinc pyritoion.
- "Sebozol" with ketokenozol, "Skin-cap", "Bioderma Node", "Keto-plus" - eliminate peeling, create an environment that prevents the growth of the fungus, regulate the sebaceous glands.
- "Sulsena" - normalizes the rate of cell keratinization and the process of their rejection, regulates the sebaceous glands, has an active antifungal effect.
Most dermatologists believe that the cause of fungal activity on the human body is some global disease of internal organs and body systems, and a complication is seborrheic dermatitis and its symptoms. Treatment in adults and children should begin with the identification of the underlying cause. In any other case, ointments, creams, injections will help eliminate onlycosmetic defects, but the disease will return until the underlying problem is resolved.
Home treatment of seborrheic dermatitis copes well with all tasks, and it is necessary to begin any therapy with the stabilization of the patient's psychological state. Stress and neurosis are provocateurs of the disease, so the doctor quite often prescribes sedative, anxiolytic, adaptogenic drugs.
Manifest depression needs professional help from a psychotherapist who can prescribe antidepressants. To relieve a little nervous tension and strengthen the immune system, following the daily routine, sufficient night's sleep and walking in the fresh air will help. Such simple rules contribute a lot to improving the condition of seborrheic dermatitis in treatment. Symptoms in adults and children become less pronounced, and with proper treatment, the disease goes into remission.
Seborrhea in children
In children of the first year of life, "milk" crusts are often observed, which greatly frighten parents. They are localized on the head - this is seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp in a child. Treatment, if an infection does not join the disease, pediatricians try not to prescribe. In most cases, after a few months, there is no trace of the plaques. If the child feels itchy, irritated, sleeps and eats poorly, more and more crusts appear and they appear on other parts of the body, you should contact a dermatologist for a diagnosis.
A child with a fungal skin infection who has already passedone year old, requires diagnosis for seborrheic dermatitis in children. Treatment is carried out by sparing methods - diet, streamlining the daily routine, special shampoos (Nizoral, Friderm, Sulsena, etc.). Peeling of the scales is carried out with the help of oil (jojoba, castor, almond, wheat germ, etc.), it is applied to the places where the scales accumulate, the plaques soften and fall off. After oil treatment, the child's head should be washed. Special funds are prescribed by a dermatologist, their use is allowed no more than 2 times a week.
With the spread of irritation and peeling of the skin throughout the body of a child, it is extremely important to find out what kind of this pathology. Symptoms can hide eczema, atopic dermatitis, and other systemic diseases. Seborrheic dermatitis at this age is often complicated by a bacteriological infection, which is expressed in the pustules of the inguinal region, behind the ears, in the folds of the skin. Treatment should be started at the first sign of peeling of the epidermis outside the scalp.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine is often turned to in search of a cure, everyone is afraid of the consequences of the disease, which can be seen not only in life, but also in the photo. Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp can only be treated with a systematic and scrupulous approach in choosing remedies and following recommendations.
To overcome fungal infections in traditional medicine, the following remedies are used:
- Decoctions for external use. For example, a tablespoon of crushed dry sage leaves is poured with 1 cup of boiling water, cooled to 70 degrees Celsius. A tablespoon of bee honey is added to the broth, stirred and filtered. The agent is wiped on the affected areas of the skin (including on the head) at any convenient time, no rinsing is required.
- Tinctures. Pour 500 ml of medical alcohol into a dark glass bottle and pour 3 tablespoons of St. John's wort into it. Place the container in a dark place, insist the elixir for 7 days. Applied externally 1 time per day, diluting the alcohol infusion in a ratio of 1:1.
- Ointments. Based on calendula flowers - unrefined olive oil (100 ml) mixed with 100 g of dried flowers, leave for 3 weeks. Then strain. Melt beeswax (4 g) in a water bath and combine with calendula oil infusion, achieving a uniform composition. You can lubricate the skin with ointment without restrictions.
- Compresses are used to combat oily seborrhea. In equal quantities (40 ml each), medical alcohol and purified water are mixed. Dry ingredients are measured - white clay and zinc powder (or baby powder), mixed with a water-alcohol solution. The affected areas of the skin are treated with antiseptic agents, and then the resulting mixture is applied in a thin layer. Top cover with waterproof material and fix. Duration - 20 minutes, remove the remnants of the product.
- Oral folk remedies are aimed in their action at strengthening the immune system, the protective functions of the body, help calm the shattered nervous system. Herbal tincture -take 10 g of elder flowers, St. John's wort, elm bark, add 15 g of calamus and 5 g of elecampane root. Dry ingredients are mixed and poured with boiling water (100 ml). Infuse for 24 hours, then filter and heat in a water bath to a temperature of 80 ° C and pour in 100 ml of high-purity alcohol. Take orally 2 times a day for 2 teaspoons. If necessary, can be diluted with water.
Before using any remedy, including those of natural origin, you should not rely on the opinion or success of your friends, who have been helped by any recipe. It is necessary to consult a doctor, seborrhea is a symptom of inhibition of certain body functions. To achieve a result, a more fundamental approach is needed to find out the cause of the disease.
Reviews
Many patients shared their experience of treating seborrheic dermatitis of the head. Reviews say that going to the doctor did not help everyone. The reviews describe cases of long-term therapy by various specialists, studies of many indicators, visits to doctors of various profiles - from a general practitioner to a parasitologist. Often, no advice helped, and the tools and tests used were expensive, but did not bring any result. Some patients felt that doctors were happy to treat seborrheic dermatitis, stretching the process for years for very simple reasons. The disease does not threaten the life of the patient, cosmetic manifestations can be removed quite quickly, but the client can go for treatment for years, providing the doctor with a permanentincome.
Fortunately, things are not always so sad, and some patients have found a good doctor, whose help turned out to be effective. Specialists prescribed hormonal, moisturizing ointments, prescribed vitamin complexes (with a loading dose of vitamin C or group B), insisted on following a diet, and a natural healing took place. Stable remission was achieved by an integrated approach to the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis in the treatment.
Reviews with negative stories left about the fact that many drugs do not perform their functions. One of the patients compared the effect of domestic and foreign products of the same brand and common name. The result was surprising - a foreign drug, bought on a long trip abroad, coped with the problem of the fungus in three applications, while purchased in a pharmacy chain at home, with the same name and the same manufacturer, did not bring any effect.
Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis requires a deep study of the cause of its occurrence. Having overcome the pathology of internal organs or systems, you can be sure that the fungal flora will return to its normal state.
