Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic fungal skin disease. Those areas where the sebaceous glands are located are affected, that is, anywhere in the human body, except the soles of the feet and palms. 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 prone to middle-aged men. Most often, the fungus affects the face, scalp, and only in 25% of cases - the rest of the body.
Causes
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 (concentrates on the scalp) and round (localized on the body).
The normal concentration of the 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:
- Endocrinopathies, 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 main pathology guarantees getting rid of the increased level of fungal flora.
- Diseases of the nervous system (central, autonomic). The risk of developing fungus is in patients with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, epilepsy, infectious psychoses, lethargic encephalitis, etc.
- Immunodeficiency, weakening of the body's protective functions (HIV, AIDS, helminthiasis, diabetes mellitus, etc.).
- Stresses cause a decrease in immunity, a 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.
- Gastrointestinal pathologies (dysbiosis, pancreatitis, gastroduodenitis, peptic ulcer, ileitis, stagnation of bile, colitis, helminthiasis, etc.).
- Reception of certain pharmacological preparations (glucocorticosteroids, androgenic and contraceptive preparations, aggressive cosmetic procedures and means).
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 damage to the skin on the head, eyebrows, eyelashes. Activation of the fungal flora in the behind-the-ear region, on the chin, in the growth zone of the mustache and beard also belongs to the classic symptoms. Localization of the body lesion is most often found in the chest area and sometimes manifests itself in the inguinal and axillary region.
Symptoms of the disease include:
- Various irritations on the skin, discoloration of the epidermis. Redness is localized and itches heavily, as the fungal flora increases, spots become covered with yellowish scales. The phenomenon is often observed on the wings of the nose and adjacent cheeks, on the forehead, and 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.
- Peeling is caused by active rejection of the stratum corneum. As the fungal colony grows, the life cycle of cells is disrupted and their constant death occurs. The process is accompanied by severe itching, which characterizes seborrheic dermatitis.
- The appearance of dry and wet 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 covered with blood crusts. In the places of wrinkling, the skin cracks painfully, a purulent process starts.
- Rash polymorphic is a complication of fungal infection, is formed by the attachment of a bacterial infection. In addition to peeling, itching on the face, seborrheic plaque with papules in the center is formed.
- Acne is a consequence of seborrheic dermatitis. Dead cells clog the sebaceous passage and hair follicle, stagnation, suppuration and, as a result, acne occurs. The development of complications can be observed on the back, chest, face, neck.
Dangers to hair
Treatment of dry seborrheic dermatitis should be started in the early stages when small scales are a manifestation of the disease. If therapeutic measures are not taken, then dry seborrhea will progress, and problems will accumulate. The scales are saturated with fat, they will thicken and crust. Itching and irritation throughout the affected surface will intensify. Joining a bacterial infection will cause the formation of pustular inflammation.
In addition to an obvious cosmetic defect in the form of flakes falling off the hair, rapid contamination, there is also a risk of baldness. The released fat near the hair follicle is quickly blocked by dead cells and clusters of crusts form around the hair that tightly envelop the base. In a certain period, the crusts fall off along with the damaged hair. The follicle does not die off, but the hair grows thinned, brittle due to lack of nutrients, and the cause is seborrheic dermatitis. Treatment is prescribed using external agents. Often hair loss is massive.
Seborrhea on the body
Fungal damage to the skin of the face is one of the most common. People under the age of 25 are often diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis. Treatment is implemented in several directions. The first symptoms of a fungal infection are red spots with clearly defined borders. Gradually they become covered with scaly and itchy plaques.
In men, seborrheic dermatitis is manifested in a more severe form. Treatment of fungal flora on the face encounters certain difficulties if there is a mustache and beard. In these places, the lesion takes the form of large plaques that quickly pass into the stage of 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, sometimes cracks appear. With the advanced form of the disease, the eyelids stick together, opening in the morning the eyes becomes a painful task.
Parts of the body are also prone to seborrheic dermatitis. Treatment should be started immediately, since the spread of 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 irregular plaques. It is often observed that in the middle of the formation, the skin has a healthy appearance, and peripheral growths capture new areas of the skin.
Diagnostics
A person who has discovered 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 examination.
Diagnostic Methods:
- Survey of the patient (identification of possible hereditary factors, the presence of chronic diseases, recent illnesses, medications taken, etc.).
- General and dermatological examination (the forms of the 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.
- Appointments for laboratory tests (blood test - hormonal and glucose levels, feces for helminthiasis and dysbiosis).
- Attraction of narrow specialists for additional consultations (according to indications). The success of the procedures largely depends on what triggered dry seborrheic dermatitis (causes). Symptoms may indicate endocrinology problems (increased testosterone, glucose) or gastroenterology (gastrointestinal pathology).
Drug groups
Many people know seborrheic dermatitis and its causes. Treatment is carried out comprehensively, with several types of drugs. Some of them are taken in the form of tablets and injections, some are used for external therapy.
The following agents are used for treatment:
- Antihistamines, antiallergic drugs. The purpose of the application is to relieve irritation, itching, swelling and discoloration of the skin. Most often, medicines in the form of tablets or injections are used, the duration of administration is limited to one week.
- Antifungal agents act 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 propagation of pathogenic flora. The main active ingredients of these drugs are clotrimazole, fluconazole, etc.
- Glucocorticoid drugs are used for severe lesions for topical topical application. In addition to ointments and creams, a specialist can 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 antibacterial drugs includes the administration of tetracycline antibiotics. Starting therapy begins with a high dosage, which is gradually reduced.
Diet
The doctor recommends that each patient review the nutrition system, this step is extremely useful for patients with seborrheic dermatitis. Effective methods of treatment will achieve goals only if all the conditions of effective therapy are met, and also provide a stable remission.
The patient should limit the intake of fatty foods, confectionery, spicy, salty. 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, and herbal teas.
If gastrointestinal diseases were the cause of seborrheic dermatitis, then treatment should be agreed with a gastroenterologist who will advise the dietary table of therapeutic nutrition. Strictly adhere to the rules of cooking and food selection is necessary for ulcerative pathologies, colitis.
Medications
Currently, pharmacological companies produce a range of drugs for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. Funds are available in several forms, the specialist selects drugs by combining drugs for the systemic treatment of fungal infections.
External agents 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", "Alcomethasone", "Silkaren".
- The complex effect (antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial) is provided by Triderm, Skin-cap ointments (release forms - ointment, shampoo, aerosol).
- Lotion "Belosalik" - has an antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory effect. Eliminates puffiness, itching.
- Salicylic ointment eliminates suppuration, cleanses wounds, promotes skin regeneration and healing of damage, and 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 product to the affected area of the skin, capturing the healthy areas of the epidermis adjacent to the focus of inflammation with the medication. The duration of use 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 such detergents:
- Friderm with zinc pyrithione.
- “Sebozol” with ketokenozole, “Skin-cap”, “ Bioderma Node”, “Keto-plus” - eliminate peeling, create an environment that prevents the growth of fungus, regulate the sebaceous glands.
- "Sulsena" - normalizes the rate of keratinization of cells 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 a global disease of the internal organs and systems of the body, and the complication is seborrheic dermatitis and its symptoms. Treatment in adults and children should begin with the identification of the root cause. In any other case, ointments, creams, injections will help to eliminate only cosmetic defects, but the disease will return until the main problem is resolved.
Home treatment for seborrheic dermatitis completely copes with all the tasks, and any therapy should be started with stabilization of the patient’s psychological state. Stress and neurosis are provocateurs of the disease, so the doctor often prescribes sedatives, anxiolytic, adaptogenic drugs.
Obvious depression needs professional help from a therapist who can prescribe antidepressants. Following a daily routine, an adequate night's sleep and walking in the fresh air will help relieve a slight nervous tension and strengthen immunity. Such simple rules contribute significantly to the improvement 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
Children of the first year of life often have “milk” crusts that greatly frighten their parents. They are localized on the head - this is seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp in a child. Treatment, if the infection does not join the disease, pediatricians try not to prescribe. In most cases, after a few months, no plaque remains. If the child feels itchy, irritated, sleeps poorly and eats, more crusts appear and they appear on the rest of the body, you should consult a dermatologist for a diagnosis.
A child with a fungal skin lesion, already over one year old, requires a diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis in children. Treatment is carried out with gentle methods - diet, streamlining the regimen of the day, special shampoos (Nizoral, Friderm, Sulsena, etc.). The flaking of flakes is carried out using oil (jojoba, castor, almond, wheat germ, etc.), it is applied to the places of accumulation of flakes, the plaques soften and disappear. After oil treatment, wash your child’s head. Special means 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 over the child’s body, it is extremely important to find out what kind of pathology this is. Symptoms may include eczema, atopic dermatitis, and other systemic diseases. Seborrheic dermatitis at this age is often complicated by bacteriological infection, which is expressed in the abscesses of the inguinal region, behind the ears, in the folds of the skin. Treatment should begin at the first sign of peeling of the epidermis outside the scalp.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine is often turned 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 be treated only with a systematic and scrupulous approach in choosing funds and following recommendations.
To overcome the fungal infection in folk medicine, such means are used:
- Decoctions for external use.For example, a tablespoon of chopped 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 tool wipes the affected areas of the skin (including on the head) at any convenient time, rinsing is not required.
- Tinctures. Pour 500 ml of medical alcohol into a bottle of dark glass and pour 3 tablespoons of St. John's wort herb 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. On the basis of 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 to achieve a uniform composition. Lubricate the skin with ointment without restrictions.
- Compresses are used to combat oily seborrhea. In equal amounts (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 remaining funds.
- Oral folk remedies are directed in their action to strengthen the immune system, the protective functions of the body, and help calm the shaken nervous system. Herbal tincture - take 10 g of elderberry, St. John's wort, elm bark, add 15 g of calamus and 5 g of elecampane root. The dry ingredients are mixed and poured with boiling water (100 ml). Insist 24 hours, then filter and warm in a water bath to a temperature of 80 ° C and pour 100 ml of highly purified alcohol. Take orally 2 times a day for 2 teaspoons. If necessary, can be diluted with water.
Before using any remedy, including natural origin, you should not rely on the opinion or success of your friends, whom a recipe has helped. It is necessary to consult a doctor, seborrhea is a symptom of inhibition of certain body functions. To achieve the result, a more fundamental approach is needed, figuring out the cause of the disease.
Reviews
Many patients shared their experience in 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 different specialists, studies of many indicators, visits to doctors of various profiles - from the therapist to the parasitologist. Often, no advice helped, and the tools and analyzes used were expensive, but they did not bring any results. Some patients felt that doctors are happy to treat seborrheic dermatitis, stretching the process for years for very simple reasons. The disease does not threaten the patient's life, cosmetic manifestations can be removed quite quickly, but the client can go for treatment for years, providing the doctor with a steady income.
Fortunately, things are not always so sad, and some patients found a good doctor whose help was effective. Specialists made hormonal, moisturizing ointments, prescribed vitamin complexes (with a shock dose of vitamin C or group B), insisted on a diet, and regular healing took place. Persistent remission was achieved by an integrated approach to the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis in treatment.
Reviews with negative stories were left about the fact that many drugs do not fulfill their functions. One patient compared the effects of domestic and foreign products of one brand and a common name. The result was surprising - a foreign drug, bought on a long trip abroad, coped with the problem of fungus in three applications, while purchased in a pharmacy network in the homeland, with the same name and the same manufacturer, did not bring any effect.
Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis requires a thorough study of the cause of its appearance. Having overcome the pathology of internal organs or systems, you can be sure that the fungal flora will come to its normal state.