Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common, noncontagious, easy-to-manage skin condition. This type of dermatitis causes itchy red patches and greasy scales on your skin along with white or yellow crusty or powdery flakes on your scalp.

“Seborrheic” refers to the “sebaceous” glands while “derm” means “skin.” It’s called “dandruff” (pityriasis capitis) when it’s on a teenager’s or adult’s scalp, and “cradle cap” when it’s on a baby’s.

Seborrheic dermatitis can occur in other areas of your body. These are areas with the most sebaceous (oil) gland activity: your upper back and chest, face/forehead, the creases at the base of your nose, behind your ears, navel (belly button), eyebrows, under your breasts and in the creases/bends of your arms, legs and groin.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a lifelong condition that appears, disappears with treatment, and flares up from time to time.

Who gets seborrheic dermatitis?

About 11% of the population has seborrheic dermatitis. It occurs most often in infants younger than three months old and in adults ages 30 to 60. It is more common in men than in women, and in Caucasians more than African Americans.

If you are born with naturally oily skin, you are more likely to get this type of dermatitis. A history of psoriasis in your family makes you vulnerable as well. If you live in a dry, cold region, the weather doesn’t cause the seborrheic dermatitis, but it does make it worse.

If you have these health issues, you’re more prone to seborrheic dermatitis:

Immunosuppressions:

• Organ transplant recipients.
• Adult Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
• Adult Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

Psychiatric disorders:

• Depression.

Neurological diseases:

• Parkinson’s disease.
• Tardive Dyskinesia.
• Epilepsy.
• Facial nerve palsy.
• Spinal cord injury.

Congenital disorders:

• Down syndrome.

You’re also more prone to seborrheic dermatitis if you take these psychotropic medications:

• Lithium.
• Buspirone.
• Haloperidol decanoate.
• Chlorpromazine.