Seborrheic dermatitis

What is seborrheic dermatitis?

Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis

Cradle cap

Causes of seborrheic dermatitis

Prevention / remedies / treatment for seborrheic dermatitis

References

What is seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis (cradle cap, seborrheic dermatitis, seborrhea, seborrheic eczema) is a common, inflammatory skin condition that causes thick flaky, white to yellowish scales to form on the scalp, inside the ear and other oily parts of the body that have sebaceous-gland-rich areas of skin. It can occur with or without reddened skin. Seborrheic dermatitis appears to run in families.

In adults, it can last from a few weeks to many years.

Cradle cap is the term used when seborrheic dermatitis affects the scalp of infants (though cradle cap also occurs in adults).

Do not confuse seborrheic dermatitis with psoriasis, which presents as large, dry, thick, well-defined silvery scales.

Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis

• The symptoms appear gradually, with the first signs being a flaky scalp or skin on the face, behind the ears or on other skin folds.
• Thick white or yellowish, sticky, oily/greasy flakes or scales. Thicker and stickier than dandruff. When the scales are on the scalp, they may attach to the hair shaft.
• Seborrheic dermatitis can occur on parts of the body where the skin is oily or greasy. Commonly affected areas include the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, creases and folds of the nose, lips, behind the ears, in the outer ear, the middle of the chest or upper back.
• Itching, especially if infected.
• Mild redness.
• Hair loss.

Cradle cap

This is a form of seborrheic dermatitis in infants. Cradle cap is a harmless, temporary condition that is not contagious, nor is it caused by poor hygiene. It appears as thick, crusty, yellow or brown scales on the baby's scalp, eyelids, ears, nose and groin. It can occur in newborns and small children up to age 3.

Nappy / diaper rash often accompanies cradle cap.

Cradle cap usually resolves within days and with no treatment.

Cradle cap may or may not itch. If it itches, excessive scratching may cause inflammation, and breaks in skin can cause mild infections or bleeding.

Cradle cap may be caused by an excess of vitamin A, or a lack of some B vitamins (B2, B6, B7).

Causes of seborrheic dermatitis

• High production of sebum (an oily wax with dead skin cells).
• Skin yeast infection. Usually mostly Malassezia globosa, but M. furfur and M. restricta may also be involved.
• Weakened immune system from stress, fatigue, sleep deprivation, immuno-suppression or illness or individual susceptibility. People with seborrheic dermatitis appear to have a reduced resistance to the above yeast.
• Inflammation and infection from the above.
• Insufficient skin cleaning.
• Skin lotions that contain alcohol.
• Skin disorders (such as acne).
• Obesity.
• Neurologic conditions including Parkinson's disease, head injury or stroke may be associated with seborrheic dermatitis.
• Seasonal changes / weather extremes.

Prevention / remedies / treatment for seborrheic dermatitis

• Good scalp hygiene. Regular washing with a mild soap.
• Skin probiotics. A new generation of probiotics is available, containing specially selected skin bacteria which you can spray on your skin.
• Regular use of food probiotics.
• Berberine, a potent natural antifungal.
• Cloves.
• Biotin. Sufficient biotin for the body's needs is normally made by bacteria (mainly the Bacteroides genus) in the colon. However, if gut bacteria are compromised (often by antibiotics) then it is possible to be biotin-deficient. In this case taking a biotin supplement for a few weeks can help, or eat more biotin-rich foods like swiss chard and other leafy greens, sweet potato, carrots, tree nuts, fish such as salmon and halibut, liver and egg yolks. Avoid raw or soft egg whites, which remove biotin from the body.
  Nursing mothers who get sufficient biotin will pass this on to their infant and prevent or cure cradle cap.
• Ensure sufficiency in zinc, sulphur and selenium, which are minerals required for good immune system function.
• Vitamin B complex (B2,B3,B6,B7), especially vitamin B3 (niacin). The best way to supplement these B vitamins is with nutritional yeast.
• Avoid sugar. Try a ketogenic diet in which you eliminate all sugars, refined carbohydrates, and especially fructose.
• Keep your skin dry and well aired. A short haircut can help.
• Gentle and sufficient sunlight. (2)
• Tea tree oil. (3)
• Conventional medicine uses coal tar and sulphur based shampoos which are very harsh and strip the skin biome. However, in chronic cases they can be useful.
• See details of remedies recommended by Grow Youthful visitors, and their experience with them.

References

1. Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. 2009.

2. Wikler JR, Janssen N, Bruynzeel DP, Nieboer C. The effect of UV-light on pityrosporum yeasts: ultrastructural changes and inhibition of growth. 1990. Acta Dermato-venereologica 70 (1): 69-71.

3. Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS. Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo. December 2002. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 47 (6): 852-5.