Seborrheic dermatitis in children: photos, treatment, Komarovsky's advice

The appearance of dermatitis in children is characterized by an inflammatory reaction of the skin as a result of external and internal effects on the body. Seborrheic dermatitis in children is accompanied by the appearance of yellow scaly crusts (gneiss) in the head area, which often frightens adults.

You should not be afraid of this, since seborrhea on the scalp in infants occurs in almost 50% of cases.

It is important to consider that the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis can be observed not only on the head, but also on the neck, face, and chest. As a rule, seborrhea is not accompanied by pain and before starting its treatment, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician and dermatologist.

The reasons for the development of the disease

There is an assumption on the part of scientists that the main cause of seborrheic dermatitis in a child is the presence in his the body of the mother's hormones, which have the ability to stimulate the activity of the sebaceous gland, which is manifested by the formation of scaly gneiss. However, this theory has not been finally confirmed.

It is believed that the disease is provoked by the following factors:

• genetic predisposition to allergic diseases;
• malfunctions of the hormonal system;
• infectious and chronic diseases present in the child;
• long-term use of drugs of certain groups (glucocorticosteroids, etc.);
• disturbances in the work of the digestive system;
• dysbiosis;

• severe complications during the mother's pregnancy;
• improper care and feeding of the baby;
• prolonged stay in ecologically polluted places where there is an excess of the level of environmental pollution, etc.

The most likely cause of the development of seborrhea in children should be identified, which is the yeast-like fungi of the genus Malassezia furfur. With the weakening of the child's body, they begin their active reproduction on the skin surface with all the characteristic negative symptoms.

It should be borne in mind that this form of dermatitis can disappear without a trace 3-4 months after the birth of the baby. However, there are exceptions when the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis can be observed in a child for several years. In adulthood, the risk of seborrheic dermatitis may only persist in children with a hereditary predisposition to allergies, including food, care products, and shampoo.

It is important to consider that anti-seborrheic shampoo cannot be used to treat infants. If such a remedy is necessary, then it can only be prescribed by the attending physician.

Types and clinical symptoms of the disease

Several types of the disease are clinically determined:

FAT-FORM SOBERIC DERMATITIS. This form of the disease is caused by increased functionality of the sebaceous glands and manifests itself in the form of the appearance of large-lamellar scales (pictured), which are able to combine into one vast area. Due to the fact that the skin has a high oily content, it is a favorable material for the occurrence of various infectious processes. In the case when the oily form of seborrhea is observed in adolescence, this can lead to acne.

DRY. This form of the disease, in contrast, oily, develops as a result of low production of sebaceous secretions. As a rule, it is dry seborrhea that is observed in babies under 1 year old. Grayish-white or yellow-white scales can cover the entire head and are easily removed by brushing (pictured). At the same time, hair thinning, fragility is observed, and with severe development of symptoms, alopecia (baldness) may appear.

In addition, the dry type of seborrhea may be accompanied by the appearance of seborrheoids (small reddish-pink spots) on the face and other areas of the body.

MIXED. This form is a combination of the symptoms of the dry form of seborrhea and oily. It can be characterized by the development of dry seborrhea on the scalp and oily forms on the face.

PHYSIOLOGICAL. Most often, this type of seborrhea develops in adolescence, when hormonal changes in the body are observed and the function of the sebaceous glands is disrupted. The physiological form is accompanied by skin lesions in the form of acne.

Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis in children

As a rule, seborrheic dermatitis is not dangerous and the correct therapeutic measures, compliance preventive recommendations lead to positive results and the absence of relapses during long time.

The treatment regimen is prescribed directly by the doctor, since independently carried out measures can provoke a complication of the disease. Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis in children primarily involves measures to normalize the sebaceous glands in the work.

In addition, it is recommended:

• mild disease can be treated with external drugs. It is allowed to use various products intended for baby care (foam, shampoo, gel, etc.). Most often, the foam shampoo Friderm, Mustela Bebe and others are prescribed;

• it is forbidden to treat the affected area in a newborn suffering from seborrheic dermatitis with baby soap. In addition, shampoo intended for adult patients should not be used;
• an effective effect in removing gneiss on the head is provided by water procedures using a herbal decoction with chamomile flowers, a string, young nettles, etc.
• after the crusts soften, they must be smeared with sterile baby oil (you can boil the usual olive oil), after which it is recommended to remove seborrheic crusts from the child's head with a comb with fine teeth. You should not be afraid of this procedure, since this manipulation is absolutely painless. If you do not perform this procedure, the risk of developing inflammatory diseases increases;
• quite often, with the development of an oily form of seborrheic dermatitis in the face and head, they are externally prescribed preparations with the addition of zinc, which have a drying and anti-inflammatory effect on the affected areas of the skin;
• to cleanse the face and head area in newborn babies, it is recommended to use Saforel, Sensebio Bioderma and etc. In addition, if necessary, antifungal therapy is prescribed to suppress fungal microflora;

• it is important to remember that seborrheic dermatitis in infants is not life-threatening, and if all recommended measures are followed, negative symptoms disappear within 2-3 weeks. However, you cannot treat dermatitis on your own, since there is a possibility that similar symptoms can be observed in other diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to consult your doctor.

The famous doctor Komarovsky advises to prevent the development of seborrheic dermatitis by observing simple rules, which, first of all, include the organization of proper nutrition. When breastfeeding, a woman should reduce the fat content of milk by consuming more fluids and avoiding fatty and high-carbohydrate foods. It is important to remember that you cannot overfeed your child.

Correctly curing seborrheic dermatitis is possible only with the correct determination of the form of development of the disease, the severity of the inflammatory process and the duration of the course of seborrhea. Komarovsky recommends the exclusion of any contact of the child with provoking substances (shampoo, hygiene products, food, etc.) that can cause allergic symptoms in a child. This, in turn, weakens the immune system and makes the baby vulnerable to various infections.

It should be borne in mind that dermatitis, including seborrheic, should be treated at the first manifestations. This will promptly prevent the transition to a more severe stage and quickly achieve complete remission.