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Seborrhea (seborrheic dermatitis) oily and dry

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Seborrhea is not life-threatening, but can significantly affect its quality. It is a common skin disease has long ceased to be just a cosmetic defect. In modern medicine it is considered a serious pathology, the appearance and development of which is associated with dysfunction of the sebaceous glands. Why do I get seborrhea, the behavior of the disease and how effective known methods of treatment of this disease? We will investigate.


What is seborrhea?

Seborrhea (seborrheic dermatitis) refers to diseases, the occurrence of which a person can provoke yourself. The disease can occur due to simple neglect the rules of personal hygiene and the advice of a nutritionist. Many people mistakenly believe that seborrhea is just dandruff. It is not, as one of the forms of dermatitis, seborrhea in most cases occurs in chronic form. To get rid of the discomfort and unpleasant symptoms, many patients have to be treated over the years, but even in such cases, the probable relapse. The exacerbation of the disease observed in the autumn season, in the summer time there comes a remission.

Men suffer more often than women. Very active seborrheic dermatitis develops in adolescence when hormonal imbalance characteristic of sexual maturation. Older people rarely get sick, due to the extinction of sexual function, cases of seborrhea almost never occur.

Seborrhea starts in violation of the sebaceous glands. They are located throughout the skin except the soles and palms. Sebum is a very important component for the body, it contains fatty acids, carbohydrates, cholesterol, vitamins, salts, antibacterial agents and hormones. Together with sebum the body leaving the toxins, and thin water-lipid layer that protects skin and hair from drying out. For a week in a healthy person, is no more than 200 grams of sebum. Failures in the sebaceous glands, these norms are violated, people with a diagnosis of "seborrhea" indicators 1.5 times higher.

When seborrheic dermatitis is changing not only the amount of secreted sebum, but also its quality. Decreases the content oflinolevoy acid, it causes changes in the microflora of the skin. Skin very rapidly begins to lose its antimicrobial properties, protective functions are weakened, which creates favorable conditions for inflammatory processes and the development of various infections.

The disease is spreading in almost all areas of skin that have sebaceous glands. The higher the density, the greater the observed lesions. Is the so-called seborrheic areas, they are mainly concentrated on the scalp, chest, back, face, shoulders and the area between the shoulder blades.

The signs of seborrhea should not be ignored. It is always an alarming sign, indicating a problem with health. The reasons for the emergence and development of disease may be many, as well as the consequences. Every tenth case of untreated seborrhea ends baldness. This is the most severe complication that can be avoided.

Read more: Seborrheic dermatitis in adults and children


The symptoms of seborrhea

Common symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis include:

  • The Shine on the skin;
  • Itching and peeling;
  • Dandruff;
  • Hair loss;
  • Excessive sweating;
  • Acne.
  • Depending on the type of disease all these symptoms can manifest themselves in different ways. Sometimes they complement each other, combine, disappear, and re-remind myself. Such unpredictability in the behavior of the disease is understandable, there are too many factors and stimuli involved in its development.


    The causes of seborrhea

    The causes of seborrheic dermatitis are many and they are all associated with an imbalance in fat metabolism. The main culprit of the disease – the yeast-like fungus Pityrosporum ovale. His presence in the body is considered the norm. This is the most common inhabitant of the microflora, which does not prevent a person to live as long as he is in the so-called spore state. If a person is healthy and his immune system is in order, the fungus are not afraid of him, but at any moment he could just pop up and do harm. This is facilitated by the hormonal, immune, endocrine disruption, and stress. All these undesirable processes cause seborrhea.

    The disease can cause serious physical activity and poor nutrition, there are risks of getting sick when the climate changed and inherit pathology.

    There are other reasons, among them:

    • Mental disorders and neurologicaldisease;
    • Problems with the stomach and intestine;
    • Hormonal failure;
    • Urological problems (in men) and gynecological (women);
    • Dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
    • Vitamin deficiency;
    • Vegetovascular dystonia;
    • Bad ecology.

    The types of seborrhea

    Dry seborrhea

    At the initial stage of the disease first show signs of dry seborrhea is dandruff and itchy skin. This kind of seborrheic dermatitis respond well to treatment, but in the absence of sebaceous glands aktiviziruyutsya. Seborrhea progresses and affects new areas. Dry seborrhea characteristic of low sebum production. Entire head covered with small, dry scales. The hairs become thinner, lose their healthy appearance, break and fall out.

    Dandruff is dry, easily crumbles, sometimes it accumulates and forms a yellowish-gray crust. All this is accompanied by itching. The skin is only at first glance seems dry. Process production of sebum continues, it is slowly and have a viscous consistency. This surface skin layer looks dry, but the skin is very sensitive.

    Oily seborrhea

    When protracted course of the disease also expressed flaking and severe itching may occur red plaques and patches on the skin. These symptoms characteristic of oily seborrhea. This is the most common type of disease. When excess sebum there is a characteristic Shine. The skin loses its elasticity, shiny, easily inflamed and may be covered with red spots.

    The next day after shampooing, hair becomes unkempt, greasy, they stick to the strands, and on his head are greasy scaly dandruff. Trying to get rid of the unpleasant external manifestations, the patients often try to wash my hair, but the desired effect is usually not achieve it. Hair is left greasy, and frequent shampooing stimulates the sebaceous glands, the hair dirty faster. All this is accompanied by severe, sometimes persistent itching. Inflammation is covered with a thick layer of scales and crusts. When combing sometimes noticeable spotting. The epidermal cells do not have time to Mature, lose their protective function, as a result, the skin becomes thin and fragile, easily injured and infected.

    Any load increase the clinical manifestations of seborrhea. Major changes in the structure of the hair leads to their hair loss. If time does not refer tothe dermatologist, the disease will progress. After the disease to restore hair growth extremely difficult.

    Known cases of mixed seborrhea. This kind of describes the combination of dry and oily seborrhea.


    Complications and consequences of seborrhea

    Improper and untimely treatment of the disease can seriously affect the condition of the skin. Complications can manifest in various ways, the nature of the symptoms depends on the age of the patient. Thus, the effect of seborrhea, is transferred in the transition to adulthood can haunt a person for life. Any hormonal disturbances lead to an exacerbation of the disease, which is accompanied by enlarged pores, blackheads and juvenile acne.

    During the maturation period, the patient continued to receive acne, greater chance of developing complications such as seborrheic eczema. The seborrhea can join a secondary bacterial skin infection: folliculitis, furuncles, pyoderma. Metabolism at this age is slowing, decreases the ability of tissues to recover, it can end with scarring inflamed pores. Appear on the skin "craters", they are similar to the basin, have a reddish hue and fade with time. The skin surface is leveled very slowly, she long remained bumpy and greasy. If untreated, seborrhea can be spread on the smooth skin.

    For elderly effects of seborrheic dermatitis are manifested in the formation of a large number of papillomas.


    Answers to popular questions

    Seborrhea is among the common diseases. It always brings discomfort and a lot of inconvenience. The desire to get rid of the disease as quickly as possible, often leading to errors and uncontrolled use of drugs and that can only hurt. Such phenomena it is desirable to avoid and to turn to professionals who know how to treat the disease. Seborrhea is assigned to individual therapy.

    Highlight the most pressing questions that most often concern those who are already faced with a problem or want to protect yourself:

    • That becomes the reason of development of seborrhea in adults? This is the most important and relevant question the answer to which is find the doctors during examination of the patient. A treatment plan is drawn up only after it managed to establish the cause. Precipitating factors can be many, all of them are not fully understood, but the research in the area of seborrhoea, it was possible to identifythe main causes and their role in the development of the disease.
    • Whether or seborrhea is associated with excessive or on the contrary insufficient production of sebum? Many dermatologists who spetsializiruyutsya on the treatment of this disease, believe that seborrhea develops for several reasons. Everything is important: genetic predisposition, the state of the nervous and endocrine system, hormone levels and lifestyle of the patient. This statement proves clinical studies. It turned out that even with normal amounts of sebum, a person may experience the symptoms that characterize seborrheic dermatitis. Intense selection can trigger the yeast that inhabit the skin of the head and produce chemicals that cause irritation.
    • What do these types of seborrhea "dry", "liquid", "mixed", "thick"? Seborrhea manifests itself in different ways, symptoms can vary. Before the terms "fatty", "dry", "mixed", "thick" seborrhea is very often used in the diagnosis of the disease. Nowadays, the situation and approaches have changed, the division of seborrheic dermatitis on the types of loses its meaning. At least in foreign medical sources of all these concepts and symbols are not used anymore. Seborrhea is not divided into types, types and stages, as it is not considered important in the choice of tactics of treatment.
    • Seborrhea is a fungus, then it is contagious? It is transmitted from person to person? Seborrhea is actually related to fungal diseases, but it is not contagious and not transmitted from person to person. Microscopic fungus are able to influence the development of the disease, but it is present on the scalp in healthy people. It's part of the human microflora, the fungus promotes the breakdown of fat and saturates the scalp with fatty acids. To inflammation may cause increased sensitivity to these fungi, it can be caused by different reasons.
    • Seborrhea is associated with hormonal imbalance? There is a connection, according to recent clinical studies, the development of seborrhea can be caused by hormonal disorders. However, many who are faced with seborrhea, problems with hormones and the endocrine system may not be observed. If in addition to the signs of seborrheic dermatitis discovered other problems, caused by a hormonal imbalance, sure to contact your doctor. This may be menstrual disorders, acne, difficulty conceiving. All these deviations, in combination with seborrhea require a thorough examination and control. If the relationship of seborrheic dermatitis and hormonal disorders is confirmed, the doctor may prescribecontraceptives that block the action of androgens.
    • Seborrhea may be a sign of poor immunity or serious illnesses of the internal organs? The probability is. Very often severe chronic diseases, neurological disorders and weakened immune system cause the development of periodontitis, but their presence does not always should accompany this skin disease. Known cases, when the disease occurs in people, physically and psychologically healthy.
    • Can the development of seborrhea can be associated with stress? This is possible because psychological health affects the human condition. Some experts believe that any deviations provoked by fatigue, irritability and negative emotions can cause certain acute characteristic of seborrhea.
    • Could there be some connection between seborrhea and meds I take? According to clinical observations, some drugs can actually trigger the emergence or worsening of the disease. Before you begin receiving funds from seborrhea, tell your doctor that you are taking. This information will help in choosing the course of treatment. Particular caution must be observed if the list of accepted drugs include buspirone, ethionamide, chlorpromazine, fluorouracil, cimetidine, haloperidol, griseofulvin, drugs, lithium, interferon alpha, psoralen, a medication for Parkinson's disease.

    • Seborrhea is inherited? There is a predisposition in some families do seborrheic dermatitis may develop from parents and transmitted to children.

    How to treat seborrhea?

    Complete cure of seborrhea possible, but this process can take a long time. Relapses happen very often, even after cessation of treatment and elimination of symptoms, itching, flaking and dandruff can be repeated after some time. The patient will need patience and composure.

    Seborrhea unpleasant its external manifestations. Signs of illness always visible and cause discomfort. The lack of quick results is often upsetting to patients, many in desperation are starting to try all advertised remedies and try to be treated independently. In most cases these attempts are unsuccessful. The only thing that canto achieve is the elimination of dandruff, but when you consider that dandruff is just one of the manifestations of seborrhea, complete recovery of speech can not go. Seborrhea is treated, this problem can be controlled, but only with the participation of the physician and a responsible attitude of the patient to implementation of all recommendations.

    Treatment should be complex, it always starts with a medical examination by a dermatologist or trichologist. For accurate diagnosis of the patient is sufficient to take the tests (biochemical and blood hormones). On the basis of these study and examination of the hair and skin, the doctor makes a conclusion. If the deviation is identified and the doctor knows the cause of the disease, made the necessary appointments. But not so simple in the case of seborrheic dermatitis, because the inciting factors may be multiple. Treatment involves not only the elimination of external defects, it is important to normalize the work of all systems and organs, which can cause pathology. This may require additional tests and treatment from several specialists.

    Restorative therapy

    For effective treatment of seborrhea of the patient is recommended to reconsider the way of life and to eliminate all irritants. You first need to adjust the day mode, and set meals. The patient should sleep at least 8 hours a day. Overwork and strenuous exercise undesirable.

    A special place belongs to food, it must be complete and of high quality. It is necessary to limit consumption of fatty, canned, spicy food, salt and carbohydrates. To eat only fresh foods, refuse smoked products, bacon, pork, pickles, coffee and chocolate. Alcohol is excluded. The menu should prevail plant foods and dairy products. The condition of the skin significantly improves the foods that contain fiber, zinc and b vitamins Have the effect of brewer's yeast. In the treatment of seborrhea can help vegetables, nuts, seafood, fruit. A balanced diet will make up for the lack of necessary body elements and speed up the recovery. It is important to monitor fluid intake. Sometimes, exacerbation of seborrhea can be caused by a fault, so the daily rate (2 liters) it is desirable to consume.

    Seborrhea it is important to monitor mental health. Nervousness, irritability, stress and emotional stress are included in the group of causes of disease. It is desirable to avoid such conditions. If you can't do it yourself, doctors recommend to take sedatives (motherwort, Valerian, etc.).

    To reduce the oiliness of the skin and regulate the sebaceous glands helps tanning and sunbathing. In the absence of contraindications it is recommended more oftenkeep out of the sun, but not abused. Enough to tan 2 hours a day (morning and evening), then be sure to take a shower and put on a skin moisturizer.

    To prevent exacerbation of seborrhoea and reduce its manifestation allows a change of climate. This is a temporary but effective measure. When weather conditions change aktiviziruyutsya regenerative resources of the body, the condition may improve, but the probability of relapse is big enough.

    Local treatment

    The success of treatment of seborrheic dermatitis depends on the skin care, it needs to be correct and regular. Tips can help a doctor.

    When dry seborrhea, the effective use of salicylic acid, sulfur compounds, emulsions of Cinchona bark. A good helping of cream containing vitamin F. Reducing dry skin, they improve circulation and increase elasticity of the skin. The patient may designate such funds as cartoon, aevitum, propolis, Biotin. The food for dry seborrhea preference is given to products with high content of fatty acids. This soy, vegetable and corn oil.

    The treatment of oily seborrhea involves the use of alcohol solutions containing sulphur, resorcinol, salicylic acid. In cases where scales densely cover the scalp, soften them with oil, sulfuric ointment or vaseline. Then skin is treated with antifungal drugs.

    Special attention seborrhea should be paid to hygiene products, in particular shampoos. Some of them can provoke inflammation and irritation that may adversely affect the course of the disease. It is recommended to use products that have medicinal effect. They do not cause allergies and do not contain dyes, fragrances and preservatives, have soothing properties and perfectly restore the structure of damaged hair. To prevent recurrence, treatment shampoos can last for several months.

    Choosing the tools you will need to pay attention to composition, as the nature and speed of treatment directly depend on the type of the contained components.

    Select the most useful for the treatment of seborrhea:

    • Ketoconazole (kills the fungus and clears the pores);
    • Sulfur (exfoliates flakes and prevents them from sticking together);
    • Salicylic acid (dries the skin and removes dead cells);
    • Selenium (slows down cell renewal);
    • Tar (kills germs, speeds skin regeneration and rejuvenates the skin);
    • Vegetable base (nourishes the hair and strengthens its structure).

    Modern range of detergents impressive variety. It is important not to get confused and buy something that will really help. This question may be useful for the advice of a doctor. Knowing about your problem, the specialist will easily select a suitable shampoo.

    Depending on the type of seborrhea patient can offer:

    • Antifungal content nizoral.
    • Antibacterial, the composition of which substances are zinc pyrithione and such as octopirox.
    • Peeling force as the belongings. They contain sulfur and salicylic acid, and have a wonderful rejuvenating effect.
    • Shampoo, rich in herbal extracts. Such tools remove the excess oil from the scalp and have protivosjoboreynoe action.

    Read more: dandruff Shampoo - advantages and disadvantages, how to choose the best?

    Physiotherapy at seborrhea

    In the complex therapy physiotherapy are used as additional measures. Procedures improve microstimulation, relieve itching and promote a more active detachment of the epidermis.

    The most effective seborrhea are:

    • Cryomassage;
    • Darsonvalization;
    • Massage with liquid nitrogen;
    • Mesotherapy;
    • Ultraviolet irradiation;
    • Herbal medicine.

    The problem of seborrhea treatment is that fungi on greasy skin grow quickly and are easily adaptable to therapeutic drugs, both traditional and folk medicine. In order to achieve results, resources and recipes it is advisable to change and combine. Any correction in the treatment is done under the supervision of a physician.


    Crusts on the head in infants

    Delicate skin of newborns is very sensitive to all external stimuli. The underdeveloped epidermis, sebaceous and sweat glands is still not ready to fully carry out their functions, which often causes an imbalance in their work. The body kids responds to any discomfort, the skin is very vulnerable, it can not protect against viruses. Fungal infections very often affect the skin of babies, the most well-known defeat is a fungus Malassezia furfur.

    Yellow - gray crusts on the head baby

    In the first months of a child's life, many mothers find on the head of the newborn small scaly brown and yellow. Theirthe appearance is due to the instability of the secret glands. This is a common phenomenon, caused by physiological processes. Baby seborrheic sediments not disturbed, the consequences are unlikely in this age, but preventive measures is better not to neglect. If the crusts are not removed, their accumulation can lead to increased sweating in hot weather. The blockage of sebaceous glands affects the hair follicles. In the future it can cause hair breakage. Undeleted deposits cause itching, which can cause frustration and moodiness of the baby.

    Topic: How to increase lactation? / Frequent regurgitation in newborn - what to do?

    Seborrhea newborn children

    The appearance of scabs on the head — a sign of a baby seborrheic dermatitis. Scales can accumulate not only on the head. The place of their localization may be the face and the ear. Seborrhea newborns characterize scaly patches on the bends of the arms and legs, in the armpits and groin. Perhaps the appearance of rash and redness of the skin. Seborrheic dermatitis is not dangerous for kids, with proper care the treatment is not required.

    Why this disease appears in babies after birth are still not exactly known. Doctors have identified a number of reasons, but a definite answer until you find it. There are suggestions that seborrhea infants may provoke improper nutrition nursing mom. There are cases when the source of development of seborrheic dermatitis are allergic reactions to foods. Possible hormonal fluctuations. Crusts on the head and SIPI on skin can appear for violation of hygiene and the use of tools that are not suitable for the baby.

    If seborrheic dermatitis is not accompanied by infection, cure it in simple, accessible ways. Look to seborrheic crusts, if they flake, they can be easily removed. To get rid of thick yellow crusts, you can use olive or special children's oil. Enough to smear the head before bathing, leave for 10-15 minutes, then gently rinse and comb out loose plaque. It is better to use a special baby brush. After these procedures, crusts disappear.

    Do not try to remove all scales at once. If they aren't removed, try to spread a little more oil and keep it longer. You can do a light massage of the head. In any case can not tear, RUB or scratch crust. Delicate baby skin is very easily damaged. In cases when after removing the spots appear, abrasion and moist areas, contact your doctor. In any, even small wounds and scratches penetratinginfection treat you have already using drugs.

    If rash and redness on the face, ears and underarm areas, it is recommended to thoroughly clean the baby's skin the special care funds. When choosing, be careful, not all baby products are safe and versatile. Possible allergic reactions, so it is best to consult with your doctor.

    Seborrheic dermatitis in most cases go away on their own, about 4 months of brown disappear. If this did not happen and the symptoms appear at an older age, most likely, kids dermatitis acquired running form. In such cases, without a doctor and medication can not do.

    A severe form of seborrheic dermatitis in children may be accompanied by loose stools. Basically, the disease progresses and becomes chronic because of weak immunity. The second reason is the violation of the conditions of detention.

    To protect the baby from seborrheic dermatitis can about his health, you must take care before giving birth. Pregnant women need to take vitamins and eat right, walk more, give up Smoking and alcohol. After the birth it is very important to monitor the cleanliness of the skin of a newborn. It is necessary to monitor temperature, to exclude from a diet allergens, while swimming to use tools designed specifically for children.