Seborrheic dermatitis refers to a skin ailment, which usually impacts the scalp, forming scaly and itchy patches along with dandruff. In most cases, this condition goes away on its own without any treatment. However, in a few cases, your dermatologist may recommend using medicated shampoos to get rid of the patches and dandruff. This condition is known by several names, such as seborrheic eczema and dandruff. It is referred to as a cradle cap when noticed in infants.
Seborrheic dermatitis usually affects the skin in areas with a lot of oil glands, especially the face and scalp. The scalp is the most affected in this condition, as it leads to an itchy scalp and the formation of stubborn dandruff. However, it is not life-threatening and can be easily controlled with medicated shampoos. While the condition cannot be cured completely, you can prevent flare-ups and further issues through over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and medicated treatments.
Some of the warning signs of seborrheic psoriasis are:
• Dandruff on your hair, eyebrows, moustache or beard
• Flaky, white patches on the greasy skin on the sides of your nose, eyelids, armpits, chest hair, beneath the breasts and groin
• Skin rashes in different colours depending on the skin colour
• Itchy rashes
If you frequently need dermatologist consultations or long-term treatments, a health insurance policy with OPD coverage may help ease the financial burden.
Though the exact reasons for seborrheic psoriasis are not known, experts believe this could be due to the overgrowth of the malassezia yeast in your skin. Some other causes that could trigger this condition are:
• Exposure to certain chemicals used in paints or cleaning products
• Skin infections
• Overexposure to the sun
• Stress
• Dry and cold climate conditions
• Using improper cosmetic products
The symptoms of this skin condition can be managed well when you follow one of these treatment methods:
• Using medicated, anti-dandruff shampoos (buy the ones that contain selenium, zinc or coal tar)
• Using doctor-prescribed anti-fungal shampoos with or without steroids for severe itchiness and stubborn dandruff
• For symptoms on the face and other parts of the body, doctors may recommend topical antifungal creams, corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors and phototherapy to manage the symptoms
Though seborrheic psoriasis is a non-serious skin condition, it should be treated as soon as you see the symptoms. Otherwise, the itchiness and dandruff can increase, causing you a lot of discomfort. Treatments such as antifungal shampoos, topical medications, or dermatologist-prescribed therapies can be effective, but they may also add up in cost over time.
To help manage these expenses, consider investing in a comprehensive health insurance plan. Just be sure to carefully review the policy terms, as not all plans cover dermatological treatments or prescriptions.
No, seborrheic dermatitis is not a contagious skin condition.
People with a family history of a skin problem, those already diagnosed with autoimmune disorders, oily-skinned people and those already diagnosed with neurological disorders are more prone to seborrheic dermatitis than others.
Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.
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