Seborrheic Eczema

Seborrheic eczema is one of the most common types of eczema, afflicting everyone from newborns (usually in the form of “cradle cap”) to adults. It also operates under other monikers—seborrheic dermatitis, dyssebacia, and pityriasis alba, but the problem is just the same: dry, flaky, or oily, patches of skin mostly occuring on the face and head.

Symptoms

Most forms of seborrheic eczema are not a severe health threat. In fact, some people with mild forms of seborrheic eczema may not even realize that they have eczema, as was the case with me for many months. The name, “seborrheic” tips you off to the fact that this form of eczema tends to occur around the sebum glands—the skin’s oil-producing glands. The oil-rich areas of the face are on the side of the nose or between the eyebrows. Other common spots for the breakout of adult seborrheic eczema are the armpits, groin area, and breastbone. Infants usually develop crusty, red, patches on their scalp in a condition known as cradle cap. The severity of seborrheic eczema varies from mere redness to intense itching with soreness, greasy skin, and patchy scaling. Symptoms may also improve or increase from time to time. Some forms of scalp seborrheic eczema becomes crusty and difficult to manage.

Causes

Seborrheic eczema is related to an over-production of oil from the sebaceous glands, although there can be other factors, too. One of the other suspects for the cause of seborrheic eczema is a yeast fungus known as malassezia. The fungus can develop in the oily secretions of the skin. Stress, fatigue, and anxiety also play a role in the development of seborrheic eczema. Like most forms of eczema, the dry winter months may cause seborrheic eczema to worsen. Interestingly, this form of eczema is more common in those who have Parkinson’s disease and HIV/AIDS.

Treatment

The best forms of treatment are antifungal medications or anti-itch creams. For scalp infections, antifungal shampoos may also reduce the symptoms. Be sure that the shampoo you select has an ingredient such as salicylic acid, ketoconazole, ciclipirox, or pyrithione zinc. For other occurrences of seborrheic eczema, antifungal medications should help treat mild to medium forms of the eczema. More serious and persistent seborrheic eczema may require stronger forms of medication such as ketoconazole and desonide.

Complications

In its most serious forms, seborrheic eczema causes interruption of normal activities due to pain or intense itching. Some people have described loss of sleep and abnormally high stress levels as a result of their seborrheic eczema. Additionally, infection may set in.