Seborrheic dermatitis causes patches of cracked, red, and scaly skin. It is also known as seborrheic eczema, seborrheic psoriasis, oily dandruff (when it affects the scalp) or cradle cap (in infants). In addition to the head, it often affects the face. However, it is not a sign of poor hygiene, it is not contagious or dangerous to health. This is an embarrassing problem, but fortunately there are remedies to get rid of it.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing Seborrheic Dermatitis
Step 1. Identify this dermatological disorder on the face
People typically expect to see flaky skin on the scalp, but dermatitis can also affect other parts of the body where the skin is rather oily, such as on the face. The sebum in fact causes dead cells to adhere to each other, forming yellowish scales. The most common symptoms are:
- Areas of white, greasy scales or yellowish scabs on the ears, sides of the nose, or other areas of the face
- Dandruff on the eyebrows, beard or mustache
- Redness;
- Red and crusted eyelids;
- Flaking that stings or itches.
Step 2. Know when to see your doctor
If you are concerned that complications may develop or the situation is creating a lot of discomfort, go to your doctor to find the right treatment. Here are some of the reasons to seek medical attention:
- You are very stressed due to this inflammation which is interfering with your normal daily activities; you may feel very anxious, embarrassed and suffer from insomnia;
- You are concerned that the skin affected by seborrheic dermatitis has become infected. If you feel pain, blood or pus comes out of the affected area, there is probably an infection going on.
- If home treatments aren't effective, you need to see a doctor.
Step 3. Assess if you are particularly prone to this disorder
If so, it may be more difficult to get rid of it. You need to see a dermatologist to find the right treatment if:
- You have any neurological or psychiatric conditions, such as Parkinson's disease or depression;
- You have a weakened immune system, such as people who have undergone an organ transplant, people with HIV, alcoholic pancreatitis or cancer;
- You are heart disease;
- The skin on the face is damaged;
- You are exposed to extreme weather conditions;
- You are obese.
Part 2 of 3: Home Remedies
Step 1. Wash your face twice a day
This allows you to eliminate excess sebum and prevent dead skin cells from sticking to the underlying layer of the epidermis, thus forming crusts.
- Use a mild soap to not irritate the skin.
- Do not use products containing alcohol, otherwise it will irritate the area more and aggravate the situation.
- Apply an oil-free moisturizer that doesn't clog pores; use one that says "non-comedogenic" on the label.
Step 2. Use a medicated shampoo
Although it is generally indicated for the scalp, it is also good for seborrheic dermatitis on the face. Rub it in gently and let it sit for the time indicated on the package. When finished, rinse thoroughly. You can try:
- Shampoo with zinc pyrithione or with selenium, which you can use every day;
- Antifungal shampoo; it should only be applied twice a week; for other washes use a normal shampoo;
- Tar shampoo; this can cause contact dermatitis, so apply it only on the areas affected by seborrheic dermatitis;
- Shampoo with salicylic acid; can be used every day.
- You can try all of these types of shampoos to figure out which one is best for your specific case. You can also alternate some of them, if you notice that they lose some of their effectiveness over time. But be careful not to get into your eyes.
- Consult your doctor before using them if you are pregnant or if you need to treat this dermatitis on a child.
Step 3. Soften the scabs with oil
This method helps to remove the flaking in a simpler and less painful way. Massage the oil all over the affected area and wait for the skin to absorb it. Leave it on for at least an hour and then rinse with warm water. By gently rubbing with a cloth you should be able to remove some of the scales that have softened in the meantime. You can use different oils, according to your preferences:
- Baby oil that you find on the market. This is best suited for treating dermatitis on children;
- Mineral oil;
- Olive oil;
- Coconut oil.
Step 4. Apply a warm compress
This technique is especially effective for scaly patches on the eyelids.
- You can make a hot compress by soaking a washcloth in boiling water. This gentle method is suitable for the skin around the eyes because it prevents contact between soaps or cleansers and the eyes.
- Place the towel over your eyelids until the scales have softened; at that point, you can remove them easily and with caution.
- If they don't come off, don't tear them off. You must avoid breaking the skin and causing an infection.
Step 5. Avoid contact of skin sebum with face
Unlike treatments that soften scabs with oils, the buildup of sebum does not wash off and stays on the skin for hours. This causes dead cells to stick to healthy skin instead of peeling off. However, you can minimize this risk in several ways:
- Tie long hair to avoid transferring the sebum to the face;
- Do not wear a hat, because it absorbs natural oils and makes them adhere to the skin;
- Shave your beard and mustache if seborrheic dermatitis has affected the underlying skin in this way it becomes easier to cure it and prevents the sebum present on the hair from aggravating the situation.
Step 6. Apply over-the-counter medications
They help reduce redness; moreover, in case of infection, they fight it and promote healing.
- Try a cortisone cream to reduce itching and inflammation.
- Apply an antifungal cream, such as ketoconazole, which prevents or kills the fungal infection and reduces itching.
- Read and follow all the directions on the package. If you are pregnant or treating a child's dermatitis, consult your doctor before using this type of medication.
Step 7. Manage the itchiness instead of scratching
If you scratch your skin, it irritates your skin and if it breaks you could infect it. If you feel itchy, you should apply specific creams or lotions to control it, such as those based on:
- Hydrocortisone: reduces itching and inflammation but you don't have to use it continuously for several weeks, as it can cause skin thinning;
- Calamine: Relieves itching but can dry out the skin.
Step 8. Try alternative treatments
These methods have not been thoroughly tested scientifically, but some anecdotal evidence shows they are effective. Always check with your doctor before trying these solutions to make sure they are right for you. This is especially important if you are pregnant or treating a baby's dermatitis. Some options are:
- Aloe vera. You can buy a commercial product to apply directly on the skin or, if you have the plant at home, break a leaf, collect the gel that you find inside and spread it on the affected areas; it is fresh and soothing.
- Fish oil supplements. They contain omega 3 fatty acids which are great for the skin. You can take them to combat the disorder.
- Tea tree oil. It has antiseptic properties and helps eradicate infection that could otherwise prevent healing. To apply it, prepare a solution with 5% of this oil. Mix one part of oil with 19 parts of water. take a clean cotton swab and apply the mixture to the affected area. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and rinse your skin at the end. Remember that some people are allergic to tea tree oil, in which case it should not be used.
Step 9. Reduce Stress
Emotional tension causes hormonal changes that can affect skin health making it more susceptible to disease. There are several ways to handle it:
- Engage in physical activities for about two and a half hours a week;
- Sleep eight hours a night;
- Practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation, massage, calming image visualization, yoga, and deep breathing.
Part 3 of 3: Medical Care
Step 1. Ask your doctor about medications to reduce inflammation
He may prescribe creams or ointments; however, be aware that some of these, if used for long periods, may thin the skin:
- Hydrocortisone-based cream;
- Fluocinolone;
- Desonide.
Step 2. Get a powerful prescription antibacterial
A common drug is metronidazole, which you can find in the form of a topical cream or gel.
Apply the product following the instructions on the leaflet
Step 3. Consider using an antifungal medication in combination with other medicines
If your doctor thinks there may be a fungal infection that is preventing healing, this drug may be helpful, especially if areas of skin under the beard or mustache have been affected:
- Alternate an antifungal shampoo with a clobetasol-based product (Clobesol, Olux);
- Try an oral antifungal, such as terbinafine (Lamisil). However, keep in mind that this drug can cause severe allergic reactions and liver damage.
Step 4. Discuss immunomodulators with your doctor
They are drugs that reduce inflammation by suppressing the immune system; however, they can increase the risk of cancer. The most common contain calcineurin inhibitors:
- Tacrolimus (Protopic);
- Pimecrolimus (Elidel).
Step 5. Try phototherapy combined with a drug
This medicine, called psoralen, makes the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet rays; after taking it, you undergo phototherapy to treat seborrheic dermatitis. However, be aware that side effects can be serious.
- It can increase the risk of skin cancers;
- If you are subjected to this treatment, you must wear glasses that protect against UV rays, to avoid eye damage and cataracts;
- This therapy is not suitable for children.
