Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that can cause your skin to become oily, red, and scaly. It can also lead to dandruff. The condition is common, and it often goes away on its own. However, it can come back, and it can be difficult to treat. If you have seborrheic dermatitis, you may be wondering what caused it. Here are some possible causes:
1. A change in weather
Seborrheic dermatitis can be triggered by a change in weather. Colder temperatures can make the condition worse. Dry winters can also trigger flares.
2. Stress
Stress can trigger or worsen seborrheic dermatitis. If you're under a lot of stress, you may be more likely to experience a flare-up.
3. Hormonal changes
Fluctuations in hormones can trigger seborrheic dermatitis. The condition is common in teenagers and pregnant women. It can also occur in menopausal women.
4. A weak immune system
If your immune system is weakened, you may be more likely to develop seborrheic dermatitis. The condition is common in people with HIV or AIDS.
5. Certain medical conditions
Certain medical conditions can increase your risk of seborrheic dermatitis. These include psoriasis, Parkinson's disease, and recovering from a heart attack or stroke.
6. Certain medications
Certain medications can cause seborrheic dermatitis or make the condition worse. These include corticosteroids, antifungal medications, and certain anti-seizure drugs.
Treatments for Seborrheic Dermatitis
Treatment for seborrheic dermatitis depends on the severity of the condition. For mild cases, over-the-counter dandruff shampoos may be enough to control the symptoms. These shampoos contain ingredients like ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, or zinc pyrithione. You should start to see improvement after a few weeks of using these shampoos.
For more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe medicated shampoos or creams. These treatments contain stronger ingredients than over-the-counter treatments. They may help to control the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis and help to prevent flare-ups.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes scaly, itchy patches on the scalp, face, and other oily areas of the body. It's thought to be caused by an overgrowth of a type of yeast that lives on the skin. Seborrheic dermatitis isn't contagious and can't be passed from person to person.
There are several things that can trigger an overgrowth of yeast on the skin, including:
- oily skin
- a weakened immune system
- stress
- cold weather
- dandruff
If you have seborrheic dermatitis, you might notice that your symptoms get worse when you're under stress or in a cold environment. The good news is that there are treatments available to help control the symptoms.
