Seborrhea (seborrheic dermatitis) is a disease of the scalp of a fungal nature. Depending on the mycotic component, the pathology differs into dry and oily. With dry seborrhea, treatment is different than with oily. The goal of therapy is to prevent premature hair loss, relieve scalp irritation and itching caused by the fungus. An ointment from seborrhea on the head can help in several directions at once: it strengthens hair follicles, relieves burning and itching, and accelerates hair growth.
What is seborrheic dermatitis?
This disease is an inflammation of the skin at the location of the sebaceous glands, provoked by a fungus. Depending on its type, seborrhea of the scalp may be oily or dry. According to statistics, men and women suffer from seborrheic dermatitis approximately equally. About 10% of patients are adolescents. Seborrhea worsens during a period of chronic stress, physical overwork, and a decrease in immunity.
The main goal of treating scalp seborrhea with ointment is to reduce the activity of the sebaceous glands. If you bring their work at least to a state of relative norm, the manifestations of dermatitis will be reduced by 65-75%. The patient will no longer be bothered by itching and burning, increased hair loss will stop and the work of the follicles will stabilize.
Causes of seborrheic dermatitis
Here are the most common causes of scalp seborrhea:
- non-compliance with hygiene rules;
- serious immunity problems;
- frequent colds, flu, infectious diseases;
- stay in a state of chronic stress;
- lack of sleep;
- endocrine system diseases;
- deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the diet;
- constant diets and hunger strikes.
Many patients believe that seborrhea can spread only to those areas of the skin on which hair grows. This is a misconception: seborrheic dermatitis often causes the formation of a characteristic dense crust in open areas of the face, shoulders, hands. Ointments from seborrhea on the head in some cases can also be effective for the treatment of seborrhea on the face and other exposed areas of the skin.
Dermatitis of the scalp
Doctors distinguish three types of seborrheic dermatitis. Depending on the type of disease, it is necessary to choose the most effective ointment for seborrhea of the scalp:
- The fatty type of seborrheic dermatitis occurs either in liquid or in thick form. The form depends on what consistency is secreted from the sebaceous glands. The liquid form of the oily type of seborrhea is more often observed in young girls. Often accompanied by the separation of a specific secretion in the nose and forehead. The thick form of the oily type of seborrhea is accompanied by the formation of acne, and is characteristic of men and boys.
- The dry type is accompanied by cracking and drying of the skin, as a result of which dandruff forms, itching and burning of the scalp appear . This process occurs due to a deficiency in the production of sebum.
- The mixed type is characterized by the alternation of areas on the scalp with oily and dry seborrhea.
Folk recipes for the treatment of seborrhea of the scalp
List of the most popular folk recipes for ointments for seborrhea of the scalp:
- Mix a teaspoon of coconut oil, a teaspoon of burdock oil with a tablespoon of salicylic paste, mix thoroughly until a uniform consistency is formed. Apply parting on affected areas of the scalp. Wash off after half an hour with cool water using medical shampoo.
- Mix chamomile juice with calendula broth (20 ml of each ingredient), add a little burdock oil. Carefully apply the resulting liquid ointment to the partings with a cotton pad. The exposure time is about an hour.
- Garlic ointment helps reduce sebum production. Grind two or three cloves of garlic through a garlic press or in a blender. Add a couple teaspoons of olive or castor oil. Gently apply the resulting composition to the affected area of the scalp, rinse after an hour after application.
- Mix the following ingredients in equal proportions: olive, castor and burdock oil and sulfuric ointment. Mix thoroughly until a uniform consistency is formed. Apply parting on affected areas of the scalp. Wash off after half an hour with cool water using medical shampoo.
Treatment of scalp seborrhea with medical ointments
Depending on the type of dermatitis, various agents may be suitable to one degree or another. It:
- ointments from dry seborrhea on the head: "Sulsena", "Salicylic", "Tar";
- ointments for oily seborrhea: hydrocortisone ointment, Akriderm.
It is advisable to consult a dermatologist or trichologist before using any product. If the patient himself incorrectly determined the type of seborrhea (oily or dry), then treatment, instead of the expected relief, can bring only an exacerbation of problems.
Treatment of seborrhea with Lamisil ointment
The main active ingredient is terbinafine hydrochloride. Contraindications: age younger than fifteen years, the period of pregnancy and lactation.
The drug is available in the form of ointment, shampoo and gel. It should be applied in parting to that part of the scalp that is affected by seborrhea. The exposure time is about an hour. Then it is necessary to wash off the product with cool water using Lamisil shampoo. Some trichologists advise applying a spray and ointment to the affected areas of the scalp once every twelve hours. Such treatment is required if dermatitis occurs in the acute phase and causes serious inconvenience to the patient. After two weeks of such active therapy, it is necessary to switch to a rare use of funds, and then (after about two months) completely abandon therapy.
Features of the treatment of seborrhea "Ketoconazole"
"Ketoconazole" produces in the form of shampoo, spray and ointment from seborrhea on the head. Trichologists recommend using all means at once to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Ketoconazole ointment is considered absolutely harmless and is approved for use during pregnancy and lactation. It is also suitable for the treatment of manifestations of seborrheic dermatitis in children and adolescents. Wash off the ointment with warm water. Using too cool or too hot water will irritate the scalp and exacerbate the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis.
Features of the use of "Sulsena"
A series of therapeutic agents "Sulsena": mask (represents an oily ointment of orange color), shampoo and spray. Suitable for both dry and oily seborrhea therapy. Sulsena products are very popular among patients due to the stylish packaging design and relatively low prices for the series products.
The ointment from seborrhea on the head should be used before washing the hair. It can be either very dirty or recently washed. It is not recommended to use Sulsena ointment on freshly washed hair. It is necessary to apply the product along partings and gently massage with your fingertips into the scalp. Leave for exposure for half an hour. Then rinse with warm water using medical shampoo.
Sulfur and salicylic ointments for seborrhea of the head
These funds were widely used in the Soviet years. Despite its low cost, sulfuric ointment with seborrhea of the head effectively removes the sensation of itching and normalizes the activity of the sebaceous ducts. Salicylic ointment also has a similar effect - but it is more effective for dry seborrhea, as in some cases it stimulates the production of sebum.
Use these inexpensive and effective ointments as well as all others: apply on partings over the entire area of the scalp, paying particular attention to areas affected by the fungus.
Sulfur ointment with seborrhea of the scalp has a calming and cooling effect. With regular use, it prevents hair loss and strengthens the follicles.
"System 4" in the fight against dry and oily seborrhea
This is a Finnish program to get rid of any kind of seborrhea and to stop hair loss.
Consists of a medical mask for scalp, shampoo and tonic. The mask contains salicylic acid and antifungal components. It relieves the symptoms of even advanced seborrhea after the first application. Heals and normalizes the activity of the sebaceous glands.
Therapeutic shampoo and tonic also have antifungal components.
"System 4" against seborrhea is very good, it is often prescribed by trichologists to their patients. The main disadvantage is the high cost: a course of therapy with System 4 will cost the patient about three thousand rubles for one month of use.
The use of vitamin and mineral complexes
Effective vitamin-mineral complexes that are useful directly for dermatitis and eczema will also come to the rescue with an ailment:
- “Alphabet Cosmetics” heals the scalp thanks to the complex of B vitamins and para-aminobenzoic acid, which is part of the tablets. Strengthens hair follicles, prevents the appearance of dandruff and hair loss. In addition, taking the complex is an excellent prevention of iron deficiency anemia. The complex also includes minerals and trace elements - calcium, magnesium, selenium, iodine, iron. Take tablets three times a day.
- Vitrum Beauty is about twice as expensive as Alphabet Cosmetics, but its composition is enriched with plant components. It has a beneficial effect on the skin and prevents the development of alopecia in parallel with seborrhea.
- "Perfectil" - professional vitamins to improve the condition of the scalp and hair quality. In some cases, for the treatment of the initial stages of seborrhea, just taking "Perfect" is enough. Capsules should be taken in the morning after breakfast. Due to the high content of vitamins and minerals when taken on an empty stomach, they can cause nausea and vomiting.
- Pentovit is a tablet preparation of B vitamins (cyanocobalamin, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine). With regular use, heal the scalp. They are an excellent prevention of the development of seborrhea, both oily and dry type. Trichologists recommend taking Pentovit in parallel with nicotinic acid preparations.
Seborrhea often occurs in people with weak immunity. The best prevention of this problem is a healthy lifestyle, giving up bad habits and a varied diet.