Seborrheic dermatitisa causes scaly, oily patches of skin that produce dandruff-like flakes. These patches often appear where there are more sebaceous (oil-producing) glands on the body. This includes the hairline, scalp, upper back, nose, and groin.
If this type of dermatitis develops in infants, it is commonly called cradle cap, and it does not reappear later. In teens and adults, however, seborrheic dermatitis will most likely be an ongoing skin issue.
Symptoms
In seborrheic dermatitis:
Patches of flaky white or yellow scales develop on top of oily skin, such as on your scalp, hairline, upper back, mid-chest, armpits, under breasts, or near the groin. The patches may produce flaking skin. This is more common on the face and scalp. In people with dark brown or Black skin, the patches may be darker than their skin, but in people with white skin, the patches can be lighter. hormonal changes illness harsh detergents or chemicals cold, dry weather certain medical conditions, like Parkinson’s disease, psoriasis, HIV, and acne medicines, including interferon and lithium
For adults and teens with this type of dermatitis, symptoms may come and go. They may also disappear for a while, typically in summer, but return when the season changes and the air is cold and dry again.
Causes
Seborrheic dermatitis develops through a combination of environmental and genetic factors.
First, a trigger, such as stress or illness, sets off an inflammatory reaction in the skin. This causes the oil-producing glands in the body to kick into overdrive and create too much Malassezia yeast. This is an organism that lives on the skin’s surface.
When yeast grows too rapidly, the immune system reacts and causes a series of skin changes. This leads to the development of the patches of skin common with seborrheic dermatitis.
Other triggers include:
hormonal changes
illness
harsh detergents or chemicals
cold, dry weather
certain medical conditions, like Parkinson’s disease, psoriasis, HIV, and acne
medicines, including interferon and lithium