Can Antibiotics Cause Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes red, scaly, and itchy skin. It can occur on any part of the body, but is most often found on the face, scalp, chest, and back. Although the exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, it is believed to be related to an overgrowth of a type of yeast that normally lives on the skin. Antibiotics are sometimes used to treat seborrheic dermatitis, but they can also cause the condition. If you have seborrheic dermatitis, or are thinking about using antibiotics to treat it, be sure to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
One theory is that antibiotics may disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria on the skin. This can allow the overgrowth of yeasts that lead to seborrheic dermatitis. Another possibility is that antibiotics may increase inflammation in the body, which can trigger seborrheic dermatitis.
If you think that your antibiotics may be causing your seborrheic dermatitis, talk to your doctor. They may be able to prescribe a different antibiotic or recommend another treatment.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes flaking and itching. It can occur on any area of the body, but is most common on the scalp, face, chest, and back. It can also affect the inside of the ears, nose, and eyelids.
The cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unclear, but it is thought to be related to an overgrowth of a type of yeast that naturally lives on the skin. Antibiotics can sometimes trigger this overgrowth, which leads to the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis.
If you're taking antibiotics and you develop seborrheic dermatitis, it's important to see your doctor. Treatment options include medicated shampoos, creams, and oral antifungal medications. In most cases, seborrheic dermatitis will go away once the antibiotic treatment is finished.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Dermatology , looked at the medical records of nearly 4,000 adults with seborrheic dermatitis. They found that those who had taken antibiotics in the past year were more likely to have a specific type of fungus, called Malassezia restricta , on their skin.
This type of yeast is thought to play a role in the development of seborrheic dermatitis, although the exact mechanism is not yet understood. The findings suggest that antibiotics could be one factor that contributes to the development of this common skin condition.
If you have seborrheic dermatitis, talk to your dermatologist about the best treatment options for you. In some cases, antifungal medications may be recommended.