Seborrhoeic Dermatitis

Seborrhoea comes from the word sebum, which is the natural oil produced in the sebaceous glands that flow into the hair follicle. Seborrhoeic dermatitis has been called a more extensive and severe form of dandruff because there is no clear division between the two.

Flaking, redness and itching are more severe and can appear on the scalp, in the eyebrows, around the nose and on the cheeks, behind the ears and even on the chest and around the groin. It may interfere with the nutrition of the hair, resulting in partial baldness.

Some cases of dandruff are caused by the disease. Sebum may also accumulate in the ducts of the glands, causing the glands to become distended with undischarged sebum, and form a small hard body called a whitehead, or comedo. When the sebum in the mouth of the duct becomes oxidized, the comedo is known as a blackhead.

Dermatitis seborrhoeic like dandruff tends to have seasonal differences and usually gets better in the summer and worse in winter.

The treatment for seborrhoeic dermatitis is similar to dandruff, although a shampoo of coal tar seems to have a better effect on the scalp. If the problem is very severe you should seek advice from the doctor as a course on steroid's may be required to clear it up.

Seborrhoeic appears to be heredity, if some relative has it the chances are that is what you may have.

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis