How to CLEAR SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS on the face| Dr Dray

Summary

In this video, the host discusses seborrheic dermatitis, a chronic skin condition similar to dandruff, affecting oily areas like the face and ears. Flare-ups are common in colder seasons and can be triggered by stress or medical conditions. The host recommends managing the condition with scalp hygiene and over-the-counter treatments like salicylic acid, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, and ketoconazole. They also suggest moisturizing and using sunscreen to protect the skin barrier.

Takeaways

• 🍂 **Seasonal Flare-ups**: Seborrheic dermatitis tends to flare more in fall and winter compared to summer.
• 🧬 **Genetic Connection**: It's a chronic inflammatory skin condition with a genetic predisposition causing an abnormal response to the yeast Malassezia.
• 🔴 **Symptoms**: It presents as red patches and flaky areas, especially around the nose, mouth, eyebrows, and beard in people with pale skin.
• 🌡️ **Stress and Health**: Stress, including emotional and physical, can trigger flare-ups, as can underlying medical conditions like HIV and neurologic issues.
• 💊 **Dandruff Link**: Seborrheic dermatitis is related to dandruff, and scalp care is crucial for managing facial symptoms.
• 🚿 **Salicylic Acid**: It's an effective active ingredient for managing seborrheic dermatitis, used in scalp shampoos and facial cleansers.
• 💧 **Scalp Hygiene**: Regular scalp shampooing with specific ingredients can control seborrhea and prevent facial flare-ups.
• 🛑 **Zinc Pyrithione**: Found in anti-dandruff shampoos, it helps calm the yeast causing inflammation.
• 🌞 **Sun Protection**: Sunscreen is important for those with seborrheic dermatitis to prevent additional skin irritation.
• 💧 **Moisturizing**: Regular use of a moisturizer can help with the skin barrier issues associated with seborrheic dermatitis.

Q & A

What is seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that is similar to dandruff on the scalp but can affect the face and other parts of the body, particularly areas with many oil glands.

What are the common areas affected by seborrheic dermatitis?

Common areas affected include the face, especially around the nose, mouth, eyebrows, beard area, and ears. It can also affect any body site with a lot of oil glands.

How does seborrheic dermatitis present in people with pale skin?

In people with pale skin, it often presents with red patches and flaky patches around the nose, mouth, eyebrows, and beard area.

What is the relationship between seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff?

Seborrheic dermatitis is related to dandruff as they are both chronic conditions that can affect the scalp and face. Dandruff can exacerbate seborrheic dermatitis on the face.

What factors can trigger or worsen seborrheic dermatitis?

Triggers include emotional stress, being run down, getting sick, and underlying medical conditions like immunodeficiency, HIV, epilepsy, or Parkinson's.

Why do people with certain neurological conditions tend to have worse seborrheic dermatitis?

It's thought that people with neurological conditions like epilepsy or Parkinson's may have more neuroinflammatory mediators in their skin, which could trigger seborrheic dermatitis.

What is the role of the yeast Malassezia in seborrheic dermatitis?

Malassezia is a yeast that lives on the skin, and people with seborrheic dermatitis may have a hyper-responsiveness to it, leading to an inflammatory skin reaction.

How can stress affect seborrheic dermatitis?

Stress can increase oil production in the skin, which can worsen seborrheic dermatitis, as the condition is related to oiliness.

What is the significance of scalp hygiene in managing facial seborrheic dermatitis?

Scalp hygiene is crucial because dandruff can worsen facial seborrheic dermatitis. Shampooing the scalp can help control seborrhea on the face.

What are some active ingredients that can help control seborrheic dermatitis?

Active ingredients include salicylic acid, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, and ketoconazole. These can be found in shampoos and cleansers for both the scalp and face.

How often should you use salicylic acid products for seborrheic dermatitis?

Salicylic acid products can be used daily, especially during a flare-up, and then the frequency can be reduced once the condition is under control.

What is the role of moisturizers in managing seborrheic dermatitis?

Moisturizers can help with the skin barrier issue associated with seborrheic dermatitis and reduce redness. They should be used consistently, especially at night.

Are there any prescription medications that can help with stubborn cases of seborrheic dermatitis?

Yes, prescription medications like topical steroids, pimecrolimus (Protopic), and sodium sulfacetamide (Avar) can be prescribed for more stubborn cases.