Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin associated with a malfunction of the sebaceous glands. The disease is characterized by chronic or seasonal rashes on the scalp, face and upper body. Basically, the ailment arises as a result of a malfunction of the internal organs and systems. People who are faced with similar troubles are always interested in how to treat seborrheic dermatitis on the face and other parts of the body?
A bit about seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic ailment. It affects those areas of the skin on which the sebaceous glands are well developed - this is the head, nose, forehead, chest and interscapular area. The culprit is considered to be the yeast-like fungi of Malassezia. They are located around the sebaceous glands and use their secret for growth and development.

In the process of life, they secrete unsaturated fatty acids, which contain substances that cause inflammation of the dermis, its irritation and desquamation. As a result, the barrier function of the skin weakens. Under certain conditions, the body ceases to regulate the growth of fungi, and they begin to develop rapidly. Seborrheic dermatitis on the face (photos of manifestations, see above) occurs in people of any age, and the male part of the population suffers more. There are several types of seborrhea - dry, oily and combined. Oily often occurs in adolescents during puberty. And dry - in middle-aged individuals from 30 to 55 years old, when the immune system weakens and systemic disorders in the body appear.
Disease provocateurs
The fungus, the causative agent of seborrheic dermatitis, is part of the healthy microflora of the skin and behaves calmly until the constraining factors of its uncontrolled and active growth are disturbed. The causes of seborrheic dermatitis on the face are still not fully understood. And the following are considered to be the main reasons that provoke the development of the disease:
- A sharp increase in the production of sex hormones. This condition is observed in adolescence. With the stabilization of the hormonal background, the symptoms of the disease also disappear.
- Genetic predisposition. The functioning of the sebaceous glands is laid at the gene level. Symptoms of seborrhea in close relatives indicate a person's predisposition to this disease. To prevent it, it is necessary to conduct proper and regular care of the dermis.
- Disorders of the hormonal background in the body. Male and female sex hormones are interconnected with the work of the sebaceous glands. With various failures, the production of sebum changes in one direction or another.
- A sharp decrease in immunity associated with diseases.
- Poor skin care provokes the development of inflammatory processes.
In addition, seborrheic dermatitis occurs when:
- malignant and benign tumors of the genital organs;
- malfunction of the endocrine system;
- diseases of the digestive tract;
- the effects of individual drugs;
- diseases of the nervous system;
- chronic infectious diseases;
- malnutrition.
With the correctly established cause of the disease, the right therapy is selected, leading to recovery.
Signs of seborrheic dermatitis
With the disease, the ducts of the glands and pores are clogged with sebum and dead cells of the dermis. Purulent inflammation begins, aesthetic defects appear that cause psychological discomfort, as well as symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis on the face, such as:
- Intolerable itching - worse with sweating. As a result of combing, the skin is broken. Penetration deep into bacteria leads to a deterioration.
- Redness of the skin.
- The appearance of white and yellow scales on damaged areas of the face. Strong peeling of the dermis.
- Painful sensation in contact with damaged skin.
- The formation of inflamed acne.
The acute development of the disease is rare, everything happens gradually. Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis on the face (photo posted in the article) often appear on the cheekbones, forehead, around the eyebrows, behind the ears, on the wings of the nose and nose bridge. The clinical picture of the disease is sometimes similar to the initial stage of other skin manifestations, therefore, with the onset of the first symptoms, you should consult a doctor to exclude other ailments.
Types of Seborrheic Dermatitis
Three types of seborrhea on the face are distinguished depending on the symptoms:
- Fatty - is formed with increased work of the sebaceous glands, when a large amount of sebum is produced. Visible defects appear on the face, which even after cleaning the epidermis disappear for a short time.
- Dry - the release of sebum decreases sharply, although it is produced in normal quantities, due to clogging of pores. The skin becomes dry, cracks appear that become inflamed.
- Combined is a complex version of seborrhea, the dermis of the face is oily, and the scalp is dry.

Despite the unfavorable external picture, seborrhea responds well to therapy. How to treat seborrheic dermatitis on the face? Local therapy is selected depending on the type of disease. For treatment use: peels, creams and shampoos. They include substances that inhibit the reproduction of the fungus and reduce the secretion of sebum. Medical shampoos are combined with neutral ones to maintain normal acidity of the dermis of the head. With the ineffectiveness of local therapy, systemic is used, and mesotherapeutic cocktails with sebostatic effect are also used. The specialist will choose the right approach and begin with the treatment of the root cause, and not with the symptoms. But you can not engage in self-medication, you can significantly aggravate the problem.
Drug treatment of dry dermatitis on the face
With dry seborrhea, red spots appear on the face, the skin becomes dry. Small cracks appear on it, which then turn into scales, peeling begins. Moisturizers do not help. How to treat seborrheic dermatitis on a dry-looking face? To do this, apply:
- “Birch tar” - applied once a day to the affected areas and kept from a quarter to an hour to half an hour depending on the sensations. Then, rinse under the shower with warm water using soap or gel.
- “Cyclopirox” - prevents the secretion of sebum, limiting nutrition to pathogenic fungi, quickly cleanses the skin, prevents relapses. Apply twice a day, the course is three weeks.
- "Clotrimazole" - poorly absorbed through the dermis and shows only local effects. Actively combats fungi, has an antibacterial effect. Apply to the face three times a day.
- "Ketoconazole" - effective in combating fungal infection, is prescribed by mouth on a tablet per day, a course of two weeks. Used for preventive purposes.
- "Beefas" is an antifungal agent. Eliminates dandruff on eyebrows, nose wings, chin. Apply up to two times a day, after absorption they are not washed off.
Medicines for the treatment of oily seborrhea
The disease often manifests in adolescents during puberty, but also occurs in adulthood. The pores expand on the face, greasy shine appears, drying agents are ineffective. For the treatment of adult seborrheic dermatitis on the face, the following drugs are used:
- "Elidel" - face cream is recommended for extensive lesions. It has anti-inflammatory effect, relieves redness, soothes irritated dermis and itching.
- “Apilak” - the ointment is endowed with anti-inflammatory and tonic effect. Nourishes the skin with trace elements and vitamins. Apply to the affected areas twice a day.
- "Baneocin" - the ointment has an antifungal effect, suppresses pathogenic microorganisms, relieves inflammation, softens the dermis, and soothes itching.
- "Cyclopiroxolamine" - an ointment for seborrheic dermatitis on the face kills fungi and inhibits their activity. It has fungicidal activity, is applied twice a day for thirty days.
- "Salicylic ointment" - dries and soothes inflammation. Used twice daily until symptoms are resolved.
- "Skin-Cap" - made on the basis of zinc, it is recommended for drying and disinfection. Eliminates inflammation, normalizes microflora. The drug is used once a day, after 30 minutes it must be washed off with warm water.
Effective preparations for seborrheic dermatitis
In the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis, an integrated approach is always used. First of all, the doctor determines the cause of the disease, and only then prescribes treatment. For therapy, various procedures, lotions, creams and ointments are used. All medicines should suppress the activity of the fungus, relieve inflammation, restore the sebaceous glands. For the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis on the face, ointments and creams listed below are recognized as the most effective:
- Triderm is a hormonal drug. It is intended for topical use, great for treating mild to moderate seborrhea. It has antifungal and antibacterial effects. For the therapeutic effect, a thin layer is applied daily to the affected areas, after which it is washed off. The course of treatment is prescribed by the doctor.

- "Betnovat" is a cream whose main active ingredient is betamethasone. The tool has anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects. It is allowed to use up to three times a day.
- "Mikoket" - for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis on the face. The ointment is actively counteracted by yeast-like fungi, inhibiting their active growth. It quickly eases the patient’s condition, is not absorbed into the blood, prolonged use is possible, suitable for pregnant and lactating women. Used twice a day until completely cured. Adverse reactions rarely occur.
- "Pimafukort" is a highly effective medication that alleviates the condition of an individual after the first application. For a complete cure, several weeks are used, the course is prescribed by a doctor.
For the treatment of seborrhea in the pharmacy network, you can find a large number of creams and ointments. Which means are better to choose, the attending doctor will prompt. It is dangerous to self-medicate.
Seborrheic dermatitis on the head and face
Seborrheic dermatitis delivers a lot of grief to the individual. On the face there are areas of redness with peeling, a burning sensation and constriction. Dandruff appears in the scalp. White flakes easily detach and fall off onto clothing. Sometimes they form crusts, swelling of the dermis occurs, papules appear. The disease is always accompanied by severe itching. For drug therapy, various treatment regimens for seborrheic dermatitis on the face have been developed (see photo in the article above). To do this, use:
- Systemic drugs with antibacterial effect - "Fluconazole" and vitamin complexes containing zinc and copper.
- Antibiotics for the relief of infectious processes. Use Macropen or Erythromycin.
- Antihistamines for the relief of intense itching - "Zodak", "Tsetrin", "Claritin."
- Glucocorticosteroid drugs to eliminate inflammatory processes - Prednisolone, Dexometasone, Diprospan.
For effective treatment of seborrhea of the scalp, therapeutic shampoos, lotions, creams and ointments are recommended. The most popular are the following shampoos:
- "Sulsena" and "Perhotal" with anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects.
- "Tar", "Sebiprox" - stop the reproduction of mushrooms and have an antibacterial effect.
- "Friderm" - reduces the peeling process, prevents the growth of microorganisms.
- "Algopiks" - promotes desquamation of the upper cells of the dermis and reduces the secretion of sebum.
Shampoos are used twice a week for thirty days, keeping on the surface of the head for at least 10 minutes to create a therapeutic effect.
When open areas on the face are affected by seborrheic dermatitis in adults, the following drugs are prescribed that contribute to the endowment of the condition:
- "Zinocap" - a cream based on zinc has an antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect.
- “Ketodyne” - prevents the growth of fungi, relieves unpleasant symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis on the face.
- “Elokom” - an external glucocorticosteroid eliminates the effects of itching and inflammation, slows down the growth of fungi, and has an antibacterial property.
In the treatment of seborrhea, the effect of the use of drugs will increase significantly with a strict diet.
Preparations for the treatment of scalp and seborrheic dermatitis on the face: reviews
When red flaky spots appear on the face and an intolerable itch, then many turn for help and advice to those who have already encountered such a problem:
- A lot of positive reviews about the cream "Tsinokap". The drug contains zinc, relieves inflammation, causes the death of fungi and bacteria, reduces peeling of the dermis. The spots turn pale on the third day of use, when using the medicine twice a day. For two weeks, the skin is actively exfoliated and renewed. After a course of treatment, the drug is taken for prevention, first once a day, and then once or twice a week. The disease recedes, but it is not possible to completely abandon the treatment cream.
- Many people find it effective to treat Ketodin with seborrheic dermatitis on the face. Reviews of the drug indicate that it quickly removes the symptoms of seborrhea, which is important when there are rashes and red spots on the face. The effect is observed after several times of use. For preventive purposes, "Ketodin" is recommended to be used periodically and always be in your first-aid kits.
- They respond differently to Triderm ointment - some say it gives a good effect, others say that the rashes go away, but after a while they come back again.
It is desirable to approach the therapy in a comprehensive manner, in addition to treating with ointments for seborrheic dermatitis on the face, it is necessary to lead a correct lifestyle and follow a strict diet.
Diet for seborrhea
The following foods are recommended for patients with seborrheic dermatitis:
- Dairy - all non-fat sour-milk drinks, for cereals use milk diluted half with water.
- Meat - lean beef and pork, chicken.
- Vegetables - broccoli, zucchini, squash, pumpkin, seaweed.
- Berries and fruits - exclude all that have a red tint.
- Oils - olive, sunflower.
- Liquid - use a sufficient amount using still water, natural fruit drinks, infusions of herbs.
- Vitamin complexes.
Treatment of seborrhea folk remedies
How to treat seborrheic dermatitis on the face? Traditional medicine offers several effective recipes, the use of which leads to the rapid improvement of the dermis of the face:
- Sea buckthorn and essential oil of tea tree - will return a healthy look to the skin. Add five drops of the last to a teaspoon of sea buckthorn, mix thoroughly to get a homogeneous mass. In the morning and evening, on the cleansed skin of the face, in a circular motion, using a cotton swab, rub the resulting mass. Treatment should be carried out until complete recovery. To prevent relapse, wipe the face with this tool twice a week.
- Aloe juice - stop the disease even with advanced dermatitis. Before going to bed, rub fresh juice of the plant daily with massage movements into the skin of the face. The course of treatment is two weeks.
- Chamomile broth - used to treat symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis on the face. It regenerates the dermis and reduces inflammation. To prepare: pour a tablespoon of pharmacy chamomile with a glass of boiling water, bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes. Cool, strain and wash your face in the morning and evening. Do not wipe. The course of therapy is 3 weeks.
- Mask with cucumber juice and aloe - apply with a dry form of dermatitis. Grate one large cucumber. Add a teaspoon of aloe to the resulting mass, mix. Apply to the face for a third of an hour, remove with a cotton pad, wash with a decoction of chamomile.
- Lotions of calendula - relieve itching and inflammation, eliminate redness. One and a half tablespoons of dried flowers, pour a glass of boiling water, insist in a thermos for three hours. Moisten a cotton towel in the solution and apply to the damaged area for 20 minutes. Repeat the procedure 4 times a day until complete recovery.
Conclusion
Seborrheic dermatitis on the face, a photo of the manifestations of which can be found on specialized resources, is a chronic pathology that recurs occasionally. Damage to the dermal integument often causes psychoemotional experiences in patients, reduces social activity, and develops an inferiority complex. , .
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