Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp: treatment, photo

Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp is a fairly common chronic skin disease with characteristic skin lesions and dandruff.

The sebaceous glands are the nutrient medium for the development of seborrhea, therefore dermatitis most often affects the area of ​​the skin with hypersecretion of the sebaceous gland. Important distinctive signs of seborrhea are manifested in the absence of itching and the possibility of affecting the diaper area in children.

Causes of seborrheic dermatitis of the head

The causes of seborrhea are the activity of the fungus Pityrosporum Ovale, which is not contagious, but is conditionally pathogenic. In other words, in a healthy organism, it is constantly present and, in certain situations, begins to actively reproduce. The main reasons for the development of the disease are:

WEAKENED IMMUNITY. The surface of the human skin is an excellent breeding ground for various microorganisms. The limiting factor of their development are only immune defenses. With their weakening, the growth of fungal lesions develops at an accelerated pace, despite the fact that dermatitis is not contagious and the causes of the disease lie in the patient's body.

HORMONAL DISORDERS. Hormones control metabolic processes in the body, and when the hormonal background changes, the work of the sebaceous glands increases. Therefore, quite often seborrhea develops in menopause and in adolescence in adolescents. The same reasons lead to the fact that seborrhea is most often observed in women, since the male sebaceous glands, even with disruptions in the hormonal level, often work as usual.

STRESS SITUATIONS. The mechanism of seborrhea is not fully understood, but the relationship between stressful situations and the development of seborrhea has been proven.

GENETIC FACTOR. As a rule, patients do not inherit seborrhea itself, but the specific structure of the sebaceous gland, which is prone to increased secretion of skin secretions. It is most difficult to treat seborrhea in children, since its diagnosis is difficult.

Symptoms of seborrhea

Symptoms of seborrhea directly depend on the cause and location of the affected area.

The symptomatology looks like a limited hyperemic papular area covered with scales that stick together with the help of a sebaceous secretion. In this case, an inflammatory area forms on the skin, which itches a lot, and sometimes can be painful.

Injury to the skin during scratching may be accompanied by the addition of secondary infection and suppuration.

Numerous reviews of experts note that the symptoms of seborrhea are exacerbated by non-observance of proper nutrition, alcohol abuse, spicy and spicy foods. After adjusting the diet, the disease subsides, the symptoms are gradually neutralized and seborrhea, perhaps, can be cured with the help of simple therapy. As a rule, the prognosis for recovery is quite favorable.

Development of seborrhea in adult patients

Among patients of mature age, there are 3 types of disease:

1. Oily seborrhea. This form of the disease depends on the nature of the secreted secretion. Most often, oily seborrhea occurs among adolescents. It is accompanied by abundant secretion. The thick form, which is characterized by the appearance of acne, is most often found in young men (pictured). This type of disease is accompanied by increased oily skin.

2. Dry type. Most often occurs during adolescence, before puberty. This type of seborrhea is accompanied by decreased production of sebaceous secretions and cracking of the skin. Even on visual inspection, the skin looks very dry (pictured), sometimes crusts appear on it, which are difficult to get rid of using conventional scalp care products.

3. Mixed type. It is most often observed among men and is characterized by the occurrence of seborrheic dry lesions in a limited area and oily seborrhea in another (pictured).

Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp at the beginning of development is expressed in a dry form with dandruff. Further, redness occurs on the skin, accompanied by itching and scratching, which leads to open wounds through which infection is possible.

Hair often becomes unkempt and the patient has to wash their hair frequently to maintain cleanliness.

Development of seborrhea in children

In infants, the main cause of seborrhea is the yeast-like fungus Malassezia furfur. With changes in the work of the body of children, a fungal infection can actively multiply on the skin, provoking negative consequences.

There is an opinion that the development of seborrhea in children is possible as a result of the mother's hormones remaining in the child's body, which have the property of activating the production of the sebaceous gland.

The reasons for the development of seborrhea in children may be a tendency to allergic reactions, changes in hormonal levels, as well as various infectious diseases. Quite often, the causes of seborrhea in a child can be changes in the gastrointestinal tract, taking medications and dysbiosis.

It should be noted that in infants, negative symptoms are neutralized 2-3 months after birth, with practically no consequences. However, there are rare exceptions. In this case, the child may have seborrhea for several years.

The risk of seborrhea in infants increases with complicated pregnancy of the mother, early feeding of the baby. In addition, seborrhea is possible if the rules of basic hygiene are not followed in relation to young children, etc.

Symptoms of dermatitis in childhood

Most often in children, seborrhea is expressed by the appearance of dandruff, and with an exacerbation in infants, redness and the formation of yellowish or white scales are possible, which are easily removed when combing. However, the most unpleasant consequence is the fact that in infants, along with the formation of dandruff, the growth of hair follicles can be disrupted. There are cases when almost the entire head of a child is affected by a fungus. In addition, similar symptoms can occur in the face and in the area of ​​contact with the diaper.

With a complicated course of seborrhea, the child has increased fatigue, lack of appetite, restless sleep, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. In addition, the child may have uneven weight gain, hypochromic anemia, etc.

With an easy development of the disease in infants, there are minor changes in the general condition with slight skin redness and limited formation of scales.

Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrhea can be cured only in a complex way:

First of all, a special diet enriched with a vitamin complex and selenium is prescribed. Positive feedback from patients received folk recipes for the treatment of seborrhea. In addition, traditional therapeutic activities are carried out.

Local use products

It is important to note that it is impossible to remove seborrhea without the use of local preparations. The cream for seborrhea normalizes the production of the sebaceous glands, relieves the inflammatory process and neutralizes the action of pathogenic microorganisms, inactivating fungi.

Topical hormonal agents, antifungal agents and antibiotics are most commonly used for treatment. The ingredients of these preparations can be incorporated into gels, creams, and shampoos. Antifungal ointments accelerate the suppression of fungal microflora. In addition, such agents as zinc paste, tar soap, bitter kvass extract, etc. have found active use.

It must be remembered that hormonal ointment or cream should be selected individually, since the wrong the use of these drugs can lead to a violation of the immune forces and the addition of bacterial microflora. In this case, it is necessary to reconsider the tactics of treatment, for example, it is not recommended to use a drug such as Hydrocortisone. Therefore, before choosing the necessary ointment, you should consult with your doctor.

The combination therapy with antifungal and hormonal agents received good reviews from specialists. This combination helps to neutralize clinical symptoms. Antibacterial ointment and cream is prescribed for the treatment of purulent foci of inflammation.

The most common topical medications that have received numerous positive patient reviews include:

OINTMENT PIMAFUKORT. This ointment contains antimycotic and hormonal drugs, as well as antibacterial agents. The drug quite actively neutralizes the excruciating itching and hyperemia. Pimafukort is used for 3-4 weeks, given the severity of the severe symptoms.

CREAM SKIN CAP. This cream contains zinc, which has a keratolytic effect. The agent is applied during an exacerbation and during the last week after the removal of acute symptoms. It must be remembered that it is undesirable to use this cream with the simultaneous use of glucocorticosteroid ointments.

TRIDERM. Triderm cream consists of 3 components for the treatment of seborrhea. This cream can be indispensable as a topical remedy for mild to moderate seborrhea. There are analogs of Triderm. These include Trimestin and Triacutan cream.

CLOTRIMAZOL. This ointment, in which the active substance actively affects the skin, neutralizing harmful microorganisms.

PIMAFUCIN. This cream is used for treatment for at least 2-4 weeks. With premature withdrawal of the drug on the skin, pathogenic microflora can be activated, which has the property of repeating. The patient should know that if no improvement occurs within 2 weeks of treatment, additional diagnostics are necessary.

SHAMPOO FOR SEBOREA TREATMENT. Modern cosmetology and pharmacology knows many means of getting rid of seborrhea. One of these products is a special shampoo (Daneks, Nizoral, Ketoconazole, etc.). The medicinal shampoo should include special preparations capable of providing antifungal, cytostatic, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects.

The mandatory components included in the anti-seborrheic shampoo include:

• Zinc pyrithione - actively affects the fungal microflora and allows you to cure the inflammatory process.
• Ketoconazole - has an antifungal effect. Indicated for use at least 2 times a week. Not permitted for use by children under 12 years of age.
• Cyclopirox is an anti-fungal agent that is used at least 2 times a week.
• Medical tar - prevents fungal growth and the formation of scales. Actively relieves inflammation in the head area.
• Selenium sulfide - has a destructive effect on the fungal microflora.

Healing shampoo is prescribed for use for 2 to 4 weeks. Treatment time depends on how pronounced the symptoms are. Sometimes a combination shampoo (containing zinc and antifungal drugs) is prescribed.

It is important to take into account that anti-seborrheic shampoo should not include preparations that stimulate skin irritation, for example, various fragrances, parabens, aggressive surfactants, etc.

Folk remedies for the treatment of seborrhea

The process of treatment for seborrhea is quite complex and lengthy, therefore, along with medications, folk remedies and ointments are actively used. Herbal remedies are of particular importance, which must be used in the absence of an allergic reaction to them in the patient. Folk remedies for home treatment can achieve the most positive results.

The most common folk remedies for effectively treating seborrhea in the scalp have been used for decades.

These include:

• In order to get rid of dry seborrhea on the head, you can take sea buckthorn squeeze and pour it with olive oil in a ratio of 1: 3. The prepared mixture must be heated for 20 minutes in a water bath. After insisting (10-15 hours), the prepared mass is rubbed into the hair roots 2 times a week for 1 month. The medicinal mixture allows you to saturate the skin with a vitamin complex, which is rich in sea buckthorn.
• Effective therapy of seborrhea with a decoction of 100 grams. crushed meadowsweet root (six years old), which is poured with 1 liter of boiling water and infused for 5 hours. It is recommended to wash your hair with the prepared broth 3 times a week at least 15 times.
• To get rid of dandruff, it is recommended to pour the quinna bark with vodka (1:10) and add 1 tsp. l. castor oil + 2-3 drops of rose oil. It is recommended to rub such a remedy into the head daily until all signs of the disease disappear.
• A good remedy to help get rid of the dry look of seborrhea is a cedar mask. For its preparation, an equal amount of cedar oil + vodka and strong tea are mixed. The resulting mass is rubbed into the skin 1.5 - 2 hours before the patient is going to wash his hair. The procedure must be repeated 2-3 times within a week until dandruff disappears.

• You can get rid of oily seborrhea at home with the help of tansy. To do this, you need to take tansy flowers (100 grams) and pour them with 3 liters of water, keeping them in a water bath for 15-20 minutes. The broth is infused for 12 hours, after which they can wash their hair, slightly warming the solution.
• A good way to get rid of oily seborrhea at home is a decoction of oak bark with the addition of honey. Ground bark is poured with boiling water (1: 5), after which the solution is boiled for 30 minutes and infused for 45-60 minutes. Next, the mass is filtered and diluted with water to the original volume with the addition of honey (1 tsp per glass of solution). After preparation with this mixture, it is recommended to wash your hair at least once every 2-3 days.
• Another recipe for seborrhea therapy at home is a prepared mixture of 15 grams. tar, 50 ml. alcohol and 40 gr. castor oil. This mass is applied to the hair 30 minutes before washing it.
• The most affordable and simple recipe for seborrhea, which will eliminate discomfort in the head area, is to prepare a warm compress dipped in a decoction of sage leaves. A compress is applied to the head to relieve itching.
• It is recommended to apply a mask of equal amounts of mashed garlic and onion to the head. The mass is applied to the head for 30 minutes, a plastic cap is put on top. After the lapse of time, it is recommended to wash your hair using a special anti-seborrheic shampoo.
• Oil masks deserve special attention. Cold-pressed coconut oil is the most commonly used oil for seborrhea. In some patients, this method of treatment causes complete bewilderment, since with this disease there is an increased separation of sebaceous secretions, and coconut oil belongs to fatty consistencies. However, in this case, the therapeutic effect lies in the principle that like needs to be treated like, therefore it is coconut oil that can cure seborrhea. Today, coconut oil is recognized as one of the best treatments for psoriasis. It is in seborrhea and psoriasis that the symptoms are most similar.

Therapeutic measures for getting rid of seborrhea by means of traditional medicine should be carried out only as an adjunct at the time when medical intervention is being carried out. Natural treatment can significantly reduce the symptoms of seborrhea and speed up the healing process.

Reviews on how to neutralize seborrheic dermatitis are quite controversial. A positive result depends on the individual characteristics of the organism. In addition, the symptoms of the development of the disease are of no small importance. Therefore, before using a folk remedy, you must consult with your doctor.

As a prophylaxis for seborrheic dermatitis, it is recommended to choose the right ointments and shampoos, take vitamins, perform hardening procedures and timely treat chronic infections in the body. As a rule, with all the recommended measures for the prevention of seborrhea, the prognosis for recovery is favorable.