What To Do If You Have Seborrheic Dermatitis?
If you have seborrheic dermatitis, you know how frustrating and embarrassing it can be. This skin condition can cause red, itchy, scaly patches to form on your scalp, face, chest, and back. It can be difficult to get rid of, but there are some things you can do to manage your symptoms and keep the flare-ups to a minimum.
First, it’s important to understand what causes seborrheic dermatitis. This skin condition is thought to be caused by overgrowth of a type of yeast that lives on our skin. That yeast is called Malassezia, and it’s actually pretty common it’s present on the skin of most people. However, for some people with seborrheic dermatitis, that yeast overgrows and leads to the red, itchy, scaly patches.
So what can you do about it? Here are a few things that may help:
- Use a dandruff shampoo. There are several on the market that contain ingredients like ketoconazole or selenium sulfide that can help control the yeast that causes seborrheic dermatitis.
- Wash your hair more often. If your seborrheic dermatitis is on your scalp, washing your hair more often can help control the symptoms. You don’t need to use a special shampoo just use your regular shampoo more frequently.
- Apply a medicated cream or ointment.There are several over-the-counter options available, including drugs like clotrimazole, ketoconazole, or miconazole. There are also prescription options available from your doctor.
Seborrheic dermatitis can be frustrating, but there are things you can do to manage your symptoms and keep flare-ups to a minimum. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms are severe or if over-the-counter treatments aren’t helping.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to treat seborrheic dermatitis and ease your symptoms. Here are four tips to get you started:
1. Wash with a gentle cleanser
One of the best ways to care for your skin if you have seborrheic dermatitis is to use a gentle cleanser. Avoid harsh soaps and scrubbing, which can irritate your skin and make your symptoms worse.
Instead, opt for a mild cleanser that will clean your skin without stripping away its natural oils. look for products that are labeled for sensitive skin” or for dry skin.”
2. Apply a medicated cream or ointment
If over-the-counter cleansers aren’t enough to improve your symptoms, you may need to try a medicated cream or ointment. These products are available in both prescription and over-the-counter forms.
Some commonmedications used to treat seborrheic dermatitis include:
- Corticosteroids: These anti-inflammatory drugs can help reduce redness and itchiness.
- Antifungals: These drugs kill the yeast that may be contributing to your seborrheic dermatitis.
- Calcineurin inhibitors: These drugs help to suppress your immune system, which can be helpful if your seborrheic dermatitis is caused by an overactive immune system.
3. Use dandruff shampoo
There are many types of dandruff shampoo on the market, so it may take some trial and error to find one that works for you. But there are a few shampoo ingredients that are particularly effective at treating seborrheic dermatitis.
Look for shampoos that contain one or more of these ingredients:
- Zinc pyrithione
- Selenium sulfide
- Ketoconazole
Source:https://www.healthline.com/health/seborrheic-dermatitis