Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin disease that occurs in red itchy skin on the scalp, face or chest. It is a rash, usually developing in small children and adults. In children, it affects the scalp skin or on areas covered with diapers. In adults, it is in the mid-face, eyebrows, scalp skin, scrotum, and beard or mustache in men.
It is also called dandruff or seborrheic eczema.
Causes
The cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown. Sometimes it is related to:
- excessive growth of a yeast-like organism that exists on the skin surface under normal condition;
- psoriasis, as inflammatory response
- seasonal changes, early spring or winter
- stress or other disease.
Symptoms
The symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis are the following:
- Crusty red patches of inflamed skin, usually with yellow crust
- Crusting of the eyelids
- Excessive dandruff on the scalp, eyebrows, beard, hair
- Occasional itching on the affected areas.
The rash can occasionally appear in a period of a few months, but it can last for several years.
Risk factors
There are several risk factors for developing seborrheic dermatitis:
- Parkinson’s disease, depression, diabetes, alchoholic pancreatitis
- Congestive heart failure
- Some drugs
- Compromised immune system
- Certain types of cancer
- Scratching the facial skin
