Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition that affects up to 3% of the population. The most characteristic symptoms of this disease are: severe flaking of the epidermis, scab formation, erythema in the affected area, and itching. PsA often affects the scalp, so it is worth reaching for preparations as soon as possible that will minimize the most troublesome symptoms of the disease and improve the condition of the epidermis.
What is seborrheic dermatitis and how does it manifest itself?
Seborrheic dermatitis is a recurrent dermatosis. This means that even after it has been calmed down, you have to take into account the relapse and re-implementation of the treatment. In the mild form of PsA, the most common symptoms are branched peeling of the epidermis and mild erythema. On the other hand, in the exacerbation of the disease, clear erythematous spots with accumulating yellow crusts are visible, as well as very strong peeling of the skin. Occasionally there is also a serous exudate.
The disease most often affects the scalp, although it also occurs in other parts of the body: on the forehead, behind the ears, on the nape or in the nasolabial folds. It can also be located along the spine, e.g. between the shoulder blades, in the skin folds, groin, armpits. The skin lesions may look different in each of these areas. On the scalp, they can only take the form of finely exfoliated flakes or be inflammatory lesions spread over the entire hairy area. On the other hand, on the ears or in the nasolabial folds, they will form yellow scabs, and on the neck they will transform into changes in the form of a ring. They often spread in the armpits, groin or intimate areas, resembling acne or thrush. When the disease is exacerbated, the changes can be very severe, and the quickly exfoliating individual layers of the epidermis will create a clogging crust at the mouth of the paranasal glands, which may result in subsequent thinning of the hair.
So far, it is not known exactly what the etiology of PsA is. It is assumed that - similarly to dandruff - yeastsMalessezia furfurare responsible (people with PsA have a very large amount of them). These microorganisms eagerly eat lipids (which explains their location in the vicinity of the sebaceous glands), andthe products of their metabolism are acids which irritate the skin and cause it to peel excessively. Seborrheic dermatitis can also be associated with a weakening of the immune system (which is why it often occurs in people with AIDS and cancer) or hormonal disorders, which lead to increased stimulation of paravitic muscles to secrete sebum, e.g. in PCOS. PsA is also caused by the increased secretion of sebum in certain periods of life, e.g. in the teenage period or under the influence of external factors, e.g. wearing a hat (PsA worsens in autumn and winter).
What diseases is PsA most often confused with?
Seborrheic dermatitis is often differentiated from conditions such as dandruff and psoriasis. In dandruff, however, we deal with an accelerated process of keratinization of the epidermis, which leads to its faster exfoliation; while in PsA, exfoliation is due to the excessive production of sebum, which causes: build-up of yellow-gray scales, severe erythema, inflammation and, over time, hair loss. With dandruff, we do not have such strong symptoms from the skin, and people affected by it are not at risk of losing hair, as is the case with seborrheic dermatitis. On the other hand, in psoriasis we have visible plaques, papules, plaques and very dry skin. And it is excessively dry skin that will lead to itching and flaking.
Skin care for PsA
When seborrheic dermatitis affects the scalp, the best solution is to use a shampoo that will reduce the number of yeastsMalessesia furfur(responsible for PsA) as well as normalize the skin condition. The substance that does the best in eliminating yeasts is ciclopiroxolamine. We will find her, among others in a shampoo for dealing with severe dandruff conditionsKelual DS by Ducray . Ciclopiroxolamine destroys the intracellular structures of microorganisms, which reduces their number and reduces the amount of irritating substances secreted by them. Therefore, it is worth reaching for dermocosmetics containing ciclopiroxolamine if you are struggling with persistent PsA. Another substance necessary for the care of seborrheic dermatitis is olamine pyroctone, also present in Ducray Kelual DS shampoo. It is active against fungi of the genusMalasseziaby limiting their spread. Ducray dermocosmetics also contain one more substance that will help us regain skin he alth. It is keluamide, which will help the process of removing dead epidermis. Thanks to it, there are no scales that could become deposited on the skina nutrient medium for other microorganisms, and the skin is well cleansed. In addition, Ducray Kelual DS shampoo contains β-glycyrrhetinic acid, which helps soothe inflammation and thus soothes irritated skin.
When seborrheic dermatitis affects other areas of the body than the head, it is worth looking for body cosmetics with the above-mentioned active substances, i.e. ciclopiroxolamine, keluamide, and olamine pyroctone, which are able to deal with skin changes in PsA. In the event of an exacerbation, please seek medical advice.
How can I prevent PsA recurrence?
Since seborrheic dermatitis has a tendency to recur, care should be taken to eliminate those factors that may increase the risk of symptoms reoccurring. Risk factors include, for example, inadequate hygiene. If we do not clean the scalp regularly, wash our face or body thoroughly, we can allow the yeast to grow again. In addition, improper diet, malnutrition, and the lack of zinc-rich products in the daily menu may cause us to start having skin problems again. This is mainly due to the weakening of the immune system, which promotes the development of PsA. Also, stress or excessive exposure to sunlight can be a factor that increases the likelihood of recurrence of the disease, so it is worthwhile to familiarize yourself with stress-reducing techniques and take care of adequate sun protection.