Methods for testing and diagnosing seborrheic dermatitis (seborrheic dermatitis)

The article was consulted with Specialist Doctor I Le Thi Thu Hang - Dermatologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, is a chronic skin disease. The disease is caused by an overgrowth of a small yeast called Malassezia and some other resonance factors located on the skin are considered to be the cause of the disease.
Although seborrheic dermatitis is not contagious, it is a benign dermatological disease and almost does not seriously affect health, but it greatly affects the aesthetic and psychological appearance of the patient.
When you have atopic dermatitis, the skin will peel off into pink patches in areas of the skin or parts that are prone to excessive sebum secretion such as the nose, cheeks, ears, eyebrows, in addition to the scalp, and the front skin. Chest or back skin will also suffer.
Any object can get the disease. However, according to research, between the ages of 18 and 40, seborrheic dermatitis is more common and the incidence is higher in men than women.

Currently, the cause of seborrheic dermatitis remains unknown. According to the study, a number of endogenous factors and genes may be implicated in the development of seborrheic dermatitis. At the same time, the presence of fungi has also been found in people with seborrheic dermatitis.
Seborrheic dermatitis is not contagious from person to person even if there is direct contact with an infected person because the disease does not have a contagious agent.
Seborrheic dermatitis is hereditary. About 40% of babies are born with seborrheic dermatitis because one parent has atopic dermatitis. Besides, the affected skin area is also easy to spread from one location to another. Therefore, when sick, patients should proactively treat as soon as they see symptoms of dermatitis to treat easily, quickly and increase the effectiveness of treatment and avoid leaving complications.

Manifestations of seborrheic dermatitis vary from person to person, depending on the location of seborrheic dermatitis, severe or mild, and can be distinguished in children and adults.
Some typical symptoms can be noticed:
3.1 Manifestations of seborrheic dermatitis in adults In adults, the location most often occurs on the face, scalp, and upper half of the body. Facial seborrheic dermatitis has lesions in the nasolabial folds, T-zone at the edge of the forehead, between the nose, between the eyebrows, red skin, thin scaly skin.
Seborrheic dermatitis in the scalp causes the scalp to flake off in the form of dandruff flakes, followed by itching, hair loss. Affected individuals often present with a combination of seborrhea and dryness.
In hot weather, sweating that causes itching may increase. Seborrheic dermatitis is more severe in winter when the weather is dry. In severe cases, scabs can appear behind the ears, in the ear canal, eyebrow arch, bridge of the nose, around the nose, chest, or shoulders.

3.2 Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis in children The baby's scalp is greasy, has thick scaly patches, spreads to neighboring scalp areas and is difficult to peel off. When the disease is more severe, seborrheic dermatitis will spread throughout the body, showing signs of crusting. Scales yellow, skin moist, oily and sticky. Babies with itching lead to discomfort and fussiness.

Depending on the severity or mildness of atopic dermatitis, the doctor will have different treatment methods.
4.1 Use of medications The use of anti-inflammatory and scaly medications can be prescribed. In addition, if the cause is found to be a fungus, the doctor may prescribe additional shampoos or herbal soaps containing specific antifungal agents for the patient to use.
In severe cases, combine both oral and topical medications. topical creams containing selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, or corticosteroids; Combined with an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory cream can be effective.
4.2 Appropriate living mode Change habits, daily activities. Seborrheic dermatitis is a disease that is easy to recur even after being cured. Prevention is a good method to limit the possibility of recurrence of the disease as well as to help quickly cure the disease. Some of the following living habits need attention:
Use oral medications and creams according to the correct dosage and instructions of the doctor. Avoid direct exposure to sunlight, dirt in contact with skin. If you experience abnormalities in your body during the treatment, you should immediately contact a dermatologist who has examined you for advice. Do not use your nails to scratch your scalp when washing your hair, just rub your hair gently because Using nails can cause skin abrasions. Use mild shampoos and shower gels with little detergent. For people with oily skin, be careful when choosing to use cosmetics, should not use cosmetics containing many harmful chemicals and of unknown origin. Eat a lot of fiber such as green vegetables, legumes, fresh fruits and vegetables. Limit the use of stimulants, alcohol such as tobacco, alcohol and foods high in sugar and fat. Exercise regularly to increase resistance, physical strength, increase blood circulation, help the organs work stably and limit the process of increasing sebaceous glands.

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