Seborrheic dermatitis (seborrheic dermatitis) causes the skin to peel, turn red, and scaly. This problem is also known as dandruff (if it occurs on the scalp), seborrheic eczema, seborrheic psoriasis, or cradle cap (if it occurs in babies). In addition to the scalp, dermatitis also often occurs on the face. Although it is not an indicator of poor personal hygiene, cannot be passed from person to person, and is not harmful to the body, seborrheic dermatitis can be quite embarrassing. Fortunately, there are several ways to work around this.
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Part 1 of 3: Recognizing Seborrheic Dermatitis
Step 1. Recognize seborrheic dermatitis on the face
Generally, peeling occurs on the scalp. However, it can also occur in other parts of the body, especially the face, which is oily. The presence of oil causes dead skin cells to stick together and form yellowish scaly patches. The usual symptoms are:
- An oily, white or yellow scaly layer of skin on the ears, both sides of the nose, or other parts of the face.
- Dandruff on the eyebrows, beard, or mustache.
- Redness of the skin.
- Reddish and twitching eyelids.
- Skin that peels and feels itchy or sore.
Step 2. Know when to visit the doctor
If you experience complications or if your symptoms are bothersome, see your doctor for help with them. Reasons you should see a doctor include:
- The disease you are experiencing causes severe stress and interferes with daily life. These include severe anxiety, shyness, and insomnia.
- You are worried about infected seborrheic dermatitis. If you have pain, bleeding, or pus coming out of the area, you may have an infection.
- If your self-care doesn't work, you may want to see a doctor.
Step 3. Find out if you are prone to seborrheic dermatitis
You may find it difficult to solve this problem yourself. It's best to visit a dermatologist for help if:
- You have a mental illness such as depression, or a neurological disease such as Parkinson's.
- Your immune system is weak. Recipients of donor organs, people with HIV, alcoholic pancreatitis, or cancer have weakened immune systems.
- You have heart problems.
- There is skin damage on your face.
- You are exposed to extreme climatic conditions.
- You are obese.
Part 2 of 3: Using Home Treatments
Step 1. Wash your face twice a day
Washing your face will remove excess oil and prevent dead skin cells from sticking to the layer underneath and forming scales.
- Use a mild soap that does not irritate the skin. If seborrheic dermatitis also occurs on the eyelids, use baby shampoo to clean it.
- Do not use products that contain alcohol on the skin. Products like these will irritate the skin and add to the problem.
- Use a non-greasy and pore-clogging moisturizer. Use products that are labeled non-comedogenic and oil-free on the packaging.
Step 2. Try using a medicated shampoo
Although formulated for the scalp, products like this can also help treat seborrheic dermatitis on the face. Apply the shampoo slowly and leave it on for the amount of time recommended in the instructions for use. Then rinse thoroughly. Try:
- Shampoos containing pirition zinc (Head & Shoulders) or selenium (Selsun Blue). This shampoo can be used every day.
- An antifungal shampoo that can be used twice a week.
- Shampoo containing tar (Neutrogena T/Gel, DHS Tar). This shampoo can cause contact dermatitis or skin irritation so it should only be used on areas that have seborrheic dermatitis.
- Shampoo containing salicylic acid (Neutrogena T/Sal). This shampoo can be used every day.
- You can try all of the shampoos above until you find one that works. You can also alternate between different shampoos if the effect wears off after a while. Be careful not to get the shampoo into your eyes.
- Consult the use of shampoo first with your doctor if you are pregnant, or if it will be used for children.
Step 3. Soften the scaly skin with oil
This step will help you remove the scaly skin without causing pain. Massage the oil into the scaly layers of your skin, then let it soak in. Leave it for at least 1 hour, then rinse with warm water. Wipe the washcloth to remove the scaly skin once it's soft. You can use any oil you like, options include:
- Commercial baby oil. This option is most suitable for children.
- Mineral oil.
- Olive oil.
- Coconut oil.
Step 4. Use a warm compress
This step is perfect for dealing with patches of scaly skin on the eyelids.
- Make a warm compress with a washcloth soaked in hot water. Warm compresses are gentle on the fragile skin around the eyes, nor do they carry soap into the eyes.
- Leave the compress on the eyelid until the scaly layer of skin softens and can be removed.
- Don't peel off the scaly skin if it doesn't lift. Do not let the skin hurt so that you are at risk of infection.
Step 5. Avoid accumulation of oil on the face
Unlike the process of softening and removing scaly skin with oil, the accumulation of oil on the face can last for hours. As a result, dead skin cells will stick to the surface of healthy skin, instead of being lifted. This can be minimized in several ways:
- Tie your hair to prevent oil from moving from your hair to your face.
- Don't wear a hat. The hat will also absorb the oil and make it stick to the skin.
- Shave your beard or mustache if you have seborrheic dermatitis underneath. That way, it will be easier for you to provide care while preventing the oil from the hairs on the beard and mustache from making the problem worse.
Step 6. Use over-the-counter medications
Over-the-counter medications can help reduce redness. Also, if you have an infection, this medicine will help it heal.
- Try using a cortisone cream to reduce itching and inflammation.
- Use an antifungal cream such as ketoconazole. This cream will prevent or kill yeast infections, as well as reduce inflammation and itching.
- Read and follow the instructions for use on the medicine package. If you are pregnant, or for children, consult the use of the drug first with a doctor. Do not use this cream for more than two weeks without consulting your doctor.
Step 7. Treat itching, and avoid scratching
Scratching the skin will cause irritation and risk of infection if the skin is injured. When you feel itchy, use anti-itch medications to treat it, such as:
- Use hydrocortisone. This cream will reduce itching and inflammation, but should not be used continuously for weeks as it can cause thinning of the skin.
- Try using calamine lotion. This lotion will relieve itching and dry skin effect.
- Apply a cold compress to the itchy area to relieve it. Use an ice pack wrapped in a towel, or a washcloth soaked in cold water.
- Consider taking an oral antihistamine if you feel itchy at night. If the itching is making it difficult for you to sleep, an antihistamine such as Benadryl or Zyrtec can help. These medications also tend to cause drowsiness, so they can also help you fall asleep more easily even if you feel itchy.
Step 8. Try alternative medicines
This step has not been scientifically tested, but some people have tried and felt the benefits. Always consult with your doctor before using alternative medicine to make sure it is suitable for you and does not interact with the medicine you are taking, or the disease you are suffering from. Consulting a doctor is very important especially if you are pregnant or if the treatment will be given to children. Some alternative medicine options include:
- Aloe vera. You can buy and use commercial aloe vera products, or use the gel from the plant directly. Rub this soothing gel onto the surface of your skin.
- Fish oil supplements. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids which are good for the skin. The use of this supplement may be able to help overcome your skin problems.
- Tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is effective as an antiseptic so that it can overcome infections that prevent disease healing. To use it, make a 5% tea tree oil solution. Mix one part oil with 19 parts warm water. Use a clean cotton swab to apply this solution to the affected area and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Then rinse. Be aware that some people are allergic to this oil and should not use it.
Step 9. Reduce stress
Stress can cause hormonal changes that make you prone to skin problems. Here are some ways that can be used to control stress:
- Exercise for about two and a half hours each week.
- Sleep for 7-9 hours every night.
- Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation, massage, visualization, yoga, and deep breathing.
Part 3 of 3: Seeking Medical Help
Step 1. Ask your doctor for medication to treat skin inflammation
Your doctor may prescribe a cream or ointment for short-term use because these drugs can thin the skin in the long run. These creams and ointments include:
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Fluocinolone
- Desonid (DesOwen, Desonide)
Step 2. Use a prescription antibacterial medication
Commonly used antibacterials contain metronidazole (MetroLotion, Metrogel) and are available in gel or cream form.
Use the drug according to the instructions for use on the package or as directed by your doctor
Step 3. Consult the use of antifungal drugs with other drugs
If your doctor thinks a yeast infection is preventing healing, antifungal use may be helpful, especially on the layer of skin under your beard or mustache:
- Use an antifungal shampoo with a weak steroid medication such as hydrocortisone, desonide, or fluocinolone.
- Try taking an oral antifungal medication such as terbinafine (Lamisil). However, this drug can cause serious allergic reactions and liver damage.
Step 4. Consult the use of immunomodulators with a doctor
This drug can reduce inflammation by suppressing the immune system, but has the potential to increase the risk of cancer. The drugs commonly used are calcineurin inhibitors, including:
- Tacrolimus (Protopic)
- Pimecrolimus (Elidel)
Step 5. Take a combination of light therapy with medication
A drug called psoralen will make you more sensitive to ultraviolet light. After using this drug, you will be asked to undergo light therapy to treat seborrheic dermatitis. Side effects of this treatment can be serious, including burns or skin discoloration.
- Your risk of skin cancer may increase.
- During this treatment, you should wear UV-protective goggles to avoid eye damage and cataracts.
- This treatment may not be suitable for children.
