E HEAD ITCH? WATCH OUT FOR SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS SYMPTOMS!

WHAT IS SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS?

Seborrheic dermatitis (DS) is one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases that can affect various age groups from infants to elderly patients. Seborrheic dermatitis can occur in all races and ethnic groups but a higher incidence and more severe forms can be observed in AIDS patients as well as individuals with certain disease states. Seborrheic dermatitis usually presents as a chronic and relapsing pattern in adolescents and young adults when the activity of the sebaceous glands (oil glands) increases, and the incidence increases in patients older than 50 years. Seborrheic dermatitis that occurs in infants is called infantile seborrheic dermatitis. The disease can also be affected by climate with complaints being more common and severe in cold and dry climates.

SYMPTOMS

Seborrheic dermatitis often affects parts of the body that are rich in sebaceous glands, such as the scalp, face, upper body, and intertriginous areas (folds). Symptoms can be chronic, recurrent or persistent. Some of the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis that can occur in adults are

• Reddish, oily and scaly patches and plaques appear on the scalp, face, ears, chest and intertriginous areas.
• Red, flaky, and oily patches on the scalp and face, especially on the nasal folds, eyebrows, upper eyelids, forehead, and areas behind the ears.
• Pink and scaly patches may also appear in other places, such as the neck, chest, upper back, navel, thighs and armpits.
• There are complaints of itching and burning.
• There are serious cosmetic concerns, causing psychosocial distress that negatively impacts quality of life.

Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis (DSI) has relatively different characteristics from older age. The appearance of complaints on the skin without being accompanied by itching which generally affects the forehead or scalp area and facial area with a description of the presence of dry, thick, sticky, and flaking scales, and can also be accompanied by a reddish rash in the fold area. Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis usually resolves spontaneously within the first 6 to 12 months of life.

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

The cause of Seborrheic Dermatitis is still unknown. However, this disease can be related to several factors, such as:

• The role of sebaceous/oil glands
• The patient's immune system, such as HIV/AI DS
• Patients with neurological disorders, including mood disorders, Alzheimer's disease
• Mushrooms
• Low humidity
• Cold temperature
• Use of medications such as griseofulvin, cimetidine, methyldopa, etc.
• Zinc deficiency

DIAGNOSIS

A Dermatovenereologist/Skin and Sex Specialist (Sp.DV/Sp.DVE/Sp.KK) will first conduct an examination, starting from interviewing the patient, conducting a physical examination by looking / recognizing the characteristic patterns and features of Seborrheic Dermatitis, and if needed, other supporting examinations such as dermoscopy or skin biopsy will be carried out.

TREATMENT

Basically, the use of emollients can help improve or reduce symptoms such as thick and sticky scales by gently rubbing on the affected area but aggressive scraping should be avoided as it can cause further inflammation.

Immediately consult a dermatovenereologist / skin and genital specialist, if you experience signs and symptoms as described above, in order to find out the cause and get more appropriate treatment.