5 Things You Need to Know About Seborrheic Eczema

1. Look for White Flakes

Suspect you have mild seborrheic eczema, or dandruff, if you notice excessive flaking and scaling of your scalp combined with persistent itching. Those white flakes on your black shirt indicate it is time to change your shampoo. Treat mild seborrheic eczema with an over-the-counter medicated shampoo designed to treat dandruff. Wash your hair daily with the medicated shampoo, scrubbing your scalp briskly to remove scales and flakes. Rinse all shampoo from your hair after washing and repeat daily until the condition improves. Dandruff is often a chronic condition so do not be surprised if your dandruff returns. It is caused by a yeast like fungus called, Malassezia, that feeds on oils produced by your body. Malassezia lives on all of our scalps, only growing out of control periodically. Dandruff appears to be hereditary and is complicated by oily skin, stress and poor hair care.

2. Babies Get Dandruff Too

If you see a thick, crusty cap on your newborn's head characterized by brown or yellow scales, suspect a form of seborrheic eczema known as cradle cap. The symptoms may also appear on your child's eyebrows, eyelids, groin and around the nose. This condition is temporary and not serious in children and may affect children up to three years of age. Contact your pediatrician if your child develops cradle cap. Watch for secondary infections, especially if your child experiences itching.

3. Get a Diagnosis

If you notice dandruff-like condition around your nose, on your eyebrows or in other oily spots around your body, suspect seborrheic eczema also known as seborrheic dermatitis. Contact a dermatologist for a diagnosis if you experience severe dandruff or if the condition occurs in other locations. Symptoms include itching, redness, flaking and excessively oily skin. Seborrheic eczema can occur in addition to other forms of eczema such as atopic eczema and psoriasis. Contact dermatitis or eczema is also more common in people who experience seborrheic eczema and thrush is known to complicate the situation. Proper diagnosis of any serious skin condition is necessary for proper care.

4. Prescriptions May Be Needed

Ask your doctor about prescription shampoos and creams to treat severe seborrheic eczema and any companion infection or condition. Watch for secondary infections since patches of eczema can fill with pus and then bleed. Your doctor may prescribe topical or oral antibiotics to prevent and combat any infection. Soap substitutes may be needed for individuals with dry skin who suffer from seborrheic eczema. Your doctor can suggest over-the-counter and prescription medications to treat your skin condition.

5. Living With Eczema

Learn to live with eczema since it is a chronic condition for most people. All kinds of eczema can be treated and managed with a proper diagnosis and a combination of over-the-counter and prescription medication. There is no cure for seborrheic eczema at this time.