Seborrheic dermatitis, popularly called dandruff, is a skin disorder that causes scaling and reddish skin lesions that is very common in the first few weeks of a baby's life, but can also appear in adulthood, especially in people with skin problems.
Although seborrheic dermatitis is more common on the scalp, it can also appear on the face, especially in the greasiest places such as nose, forehead, corners of the mouth or eyebrows, for example.
Seborrheic dermatitis, in some cases, cannot be cured and, therefore, it often occurs several times throughout life. However, the symptoms can be controlled with some special hygiene care, such as avoiding washing your hair with very hot water, or using some medicines or shampoos indicated by the dermatologist.
Check out 7 habits that may be making dandruff worse and that you should avoid.
What shampoos and ointments to use
The best shampoos to treat seborrheic dermatitis are anti-dandruff shampoos that can be purchased at pharmacies and some supermarkets. Generally, this type of shampoo should contain ingredients such as:
- Coal tar: Plytar, PsoriaTrax or Tarflex; Ketoconazole: Nizoral, Lozan, Medicasp or Medley Ketoconazole; Salicylic acid: Ionyl T, Pielus or Klinse; Selenium sulfide: Caspacil, Selsun or Flora Selenium; Zinc pyrithione: Payot or Pharmapele with zinc pyrithione.
In the most severe cases, in which these shampoos are unable to prevent the onset of seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp, a dermatologist should be consulted to assess the need to use corticosteroids, such as Betnovate capillary or Diprosalic solution, for example.
When dermatitis appears in other parts of the body, such as the face, it is always recommended to consult a dermatologist because, normally, it is necessary to use an antifungal ointment, such as Ketoconazole, or a corticoid ointment, such as Desonide or Hydrocortisone.
See also some natural remedies that you can prepare at home to combat excess dandruff.
What to do in the case of the baby
Baby seborrheic dermatitis is called a milky crust and is generally not a serious condition. This type of dermatitis appears before the age of three months and never after the first year of life, occurring on the scalp and eyebrows as well as in the folds of the legs, for example.
Treatment for seborrheic dermatitis in the baby consists of moistening the scabs with slightly warm oil and removing them with the help of an appropriate comb. After the procedure, an ointment based on petroleum jelly or zinc oxide should be applied.
In rare cases, a secondary infection with the formation of pustules and yellowish crusts with secretion may develop at the site of dermatitis. In these cases, one should consult the pediatrician because it may be necessary to use some antibiotic antibiotics.
How to speed up treatment
Although the treatment can be done with shampoos or ointments prescribed by the dermatologist, there are some precautions that help to speed up the process and that prevent the dermatitis from recurring so often. Some of these precautions include:
- Always keep the skin very clean and dry, as well as the hair; Remove the shower gel, shampoo and conditioner well after the bath; Do not use very hot water to bathe; Decrease the intake of alcohol and fatty foods, such as fried foods, sausages, cakes or chocolate; Avoid stressful situations, such as fighting with someone or leaving important work to do.
In addition, it can also be beneficial to bet on a diet with anti-inflammatory foods that help strengthen the immune system and eliminate dermatitis, such as salmon, almonds, sunflower seeds or lemon, for example. Learn about the best diet to treat seborrheic dermatitis.
