Seborrheic dermatitis is a common
inflammatory condition of the skin
and is nothing but an excessive production of sebum in the sebaceous
glands present just underneath the skin (here, the skin on your
head, or your scalp). This common inflammatory condition of the skin
is known as cradle cap in infants and is usually self-limiting and
subsides by the age of six months.
Remember, seborrheic dermatitis and
dandruff are two different
conditions and should not be confused with each other. Although, at
times, your scalp may look to you similar in both the conditions,
generally you can yourself make out the difference if your dandruff
is, or becomes, unmanageable or spreads to your eyebrows or other
parts of the body (eyelids, forehead, ears, chest, armpits, groin,
and the skin folds beneath the breasts and even between the
buttocks). Then you have either seborrheic dermatitis, or
blepharitis (pink eye or conjunctivitis) or
psoriasis (a common
condition affecting the skin, and often the nails).
Seborrheic dermatitis, as discussed above, arises due to excessive
secretion of sebum from the sebaceous glands from just below the
skin surface. This excessive accumulation of oil on the scalp
generally results in widespread fungal infection. Usually, the
condition is not permanent as it may go by its own, but it has been
observed that higher stress levels aggravate and even initiate the
problem.
Genetic and hereditary reasons are also cited for both this
problems. So are hormonal changes. Androgen, a male hormone, can
activate the sebaceous glands. Here steps in stress, as it boosts
androgen levels in the blood, in both men as well as women. Men face
these problems more because of one more reason other than higher
androgen level, and that is finer hair. Men have at least 15% finer
hair than women which results in having more oily hair and increased
static electricity.
Seborrheic dermatitis can be kept under control with treatment and
good hygiene. However, seborrheic dermatitis cannot be prevented,
and may recur. To reduce the symptoms of dandruff, shampoos
containing selenium sulfide or tea tree oil such as Selsun, Tegrin,
T-Gel or Ionil-T are recommended. Seborrheic dermatitis that
develops on the face and body should be washed with soap and water
daily. If Seborrheic dermatitis affects facial hair such as mustache
or beard, shaving the area usually helps. Other treatments that may
be prescribed by your doctor or dermatologist include medicated
shampoos, antifungal drugs, topical corticosteroids and sulfur
products.
More and
more people are opting for natural approaches to treat skin
conditions. Treatments such as herbal remedies and tissue salts
have been used for centuries to optimize skin health with some
amazing results. Using herbs are safe and effective for the skin and
do not contain harsh synthetic ingredients and chemicals like so
many skincare and cosmetic products.
Herbs such as Galium aperine (Cleavers) and Trifolium pratense (red
clover) have a wide range of therapeutic effects that acts as a
cleansing tonic, blood purifier and lymphatic cleanser. Tissue salts
such as Natrium muriaticum, Kalium muriaticum and Kalium sulphate
help to maintain skin health and promote well-hydrated skin.
·
Natrium Muriaticum 6C (Nat. Mur.) - This is a
biochemic tissue salt which helps to maintain the body's
water balance and is an essential component of all
living cells. This tissue salt has an excellent
reputation for effectively treating eczema (dry and
scaly as well as itching and weeping) as well as
psoriasis and any other skin condition that is
associated with blisters and watery discharge from the
skin. It is also useful for the treatment of allergic
rashes and all itching skin conditions, including
chicken pox.
·
Kalium Muriaticum 6C (Kali. Mur.) - This acts as a
blood and lymph cleanser, a waste eliminator and a
natural anti-inflammatory. It is very helpful in
relieving itching skin, blistering and inflammation. It
will also prevent skin infection caused by frequent
scratching. Due to the lymph cleansing and skin soothing
properties of this tissue salt, Kali. Mur. is also
invaluable in the treatment of infectious childhood
diseases like mumps, chicken pox, scarlet fever and
measles. Additional benefits include the alleviation of
conditions associated with inflammation and swelling
such as arthritis, rheumatism, bursitis, prostate
swelling as well as a range of other conditions.
·
Kalium Sulphate 6C (Kali. Sulph.) - This is a
biochemic tissue salt that helps to distribute oxygen
throughout the body and to each individual cell and
keeps all cell membranes healthy. By providing essential
oxygen to inflamed or infected cells, Kali. Sulph.
effectively promotes healing, reduces inflammation and
removes infected or dead cells. This tissue salt is
well-known for its ability to treat stubborn eczema and
psoriasis and is equally effective in treating other
skin conditions such as acne, ringworm, dandruff, herpes
blisters, warts and fungal infections of the skin and
helps to promote the growth of new cells. Other uses
include the treatment of sinus and respiratory
congestion, hot flashes and joint pains.
·
Galium aperine (Cleavers) - This is a herb which
has been used in folk medicine for many centuries as a
cleansing tonic and lymphatic cleanser and blood
purifier. Regular use helps to expel toxins from the
body and therefore assist in the treatment of chronic
skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and acne. Also
useful for conditions involving inflammation and
swelling of glands (glandular fever, tonsillitis, mumps
and prostate swelling) and for urinary problems like
cystitis or urinary gravel.
·
Trifolium pratense (red clover) - This has
anti-inflammatory, diuretic and antispasmodic properties
and is also well known as a cleansing herb for skin
complaints, including eczema and psoriasis. Its ability
to improve lymph functioning and reduce lymphatic
swellings helps to purify and detoxify the system.
Generally, no particular food is of any good use for
treating seborrheic dermatitis in adults. All you can do
is avoid a few foods, especially sugary ones, as this
prevents an oily scalp. Also avoid saturated fats such
as those present in refined and processed foods.
·
In case of infants with cradle cap, biotin (vitamin H)
rich food or supplements (under medical supervision and
on your doctor’s advice only, as in the case of any
other supplements) should be given to the nursing
mother. This should be accompanied by eliminating any
food allergens from the baby’s diet, which usually
include wheat and dairy products. Foods rich in biotin
are brewer's yeast, organ meets such as liver and
kidney, cooked eggs (particularly egg yolk), nuts
(almonds, peanuts, pecans, walnuts), Soybeans, oatbran
and other legumes like beans and blackeye peas.
·
Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, is one of eight
water-soluble B vitamins. Although, all B vitamins,
often referred to as B complex vitamins, are essential
in the breakdown of fats and protein and play an
important role in promoting the health of the hair and
scalp, vitamin B12 is considered the most important in
this regard. Good dietary sources of vitamin B12 include
fish, dairy products, organ meats (particularly liver
and kidney), eggs, beef, and pork. Supplements for this
and other B vitamins may be taken if found necessary.
Some
most effective home made remedies in seborrheic dermatitis are:
·
Lemon juice – Squeeze the juice of two lemons into a cup
of water and rinse your hair. This gives relief from the
excessive oil build up on the scalp.
·
Apple cider vinegar – Take a teaspoon of vinegar in a
cup of water and rinse your hair after shampooing. This
not acts as a tonic for the scalp but also removes the
shampoo residue that can weigh down oily hair.
It is now an established fact that shampooing daily,
preferably with a mild shampoo, actually makes it easier
to control this problem. It gets worse in the summers as
the sebaceous glands get even more stimulated. Regular
shampooing is the only way out as your sebaceous glands
will not stop working.
·
You should always give some time to your shampoo to act
properly. For this, lather as soon as you start taking a
bath and wrap your head up with a shower cap. Let the
shampoo remain for some time and then rinse. Make sure
to lather once more towards the end as this will make
some medication remain for longer duration. Also, you
should always slowly but thoroughly massage the scalp
with any shampoo you use.
·
Exposure to sun – Sun rays have an anti-inflammatory
effect on oily scalp conditions, hence some exposure to
sunlight will be extremely beneficial.
·
Women taking birth control pills should check out with
their doctor if these pills are the reason behind their
scalp problem.
·
Gentle brushing of your hair on a regular basis will
improve the circulation and remove any flakiness. Best
way to brush your hair is to bend forward from the waist
with the head down towards the ground, and brush from
the nape of the neck towards the top of the head.
