Seborrheic dermatitis: Exploring the cause and treating it

Author: Mao Chong Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital

Reviewer: Yang Jianing, Chief Physician of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Member of the Dermatology Surgery Committee of the Dermatology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Member of the Wound and Scar Repair Group of the Medical Cosmetology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association

Today we are going to talk about a common skin problem - seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease that occurs in areas of sebum secretion such as the head, face, chest, back or perineum. It is like a naughty little monster that makes trouble on our scalp, face, chest and back from time to time. It appears as dark red or yellow-red spots covered with greasy scales or scabs, and may ooze, crust, erode or appear eczema-like, accompanied by varying degrees of itching, which brings a lot of trouble to our lives! But don't worry, let's unveil its mystery and see how to deal with it in daily life.

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Tracing the root cause

1. Excessive secretion of sebaceous glands

The sebaceous glands in our bodies are like hardworking little bees, constantly secreting sebum to moisturize our skin and hair. But sometimes, they are too hardworking and secrete too much sebum. Excessive sebum accumulation provides a happy party venue for various microorganisms (such as Malassezia), where they play to their heart's content, resulting in seborrheic dermatitis.

2. Malassezia infection

Malassezia is a "frequent visitor" of seborrheic dermatitis. Malassezia is an opportunistic pathogen that does not cause disease when the human body is in a normal immune state, but may cause disease when the immune system is weakened. Malassezia often appears on the scalp, hair follicles and other parts of the body, and reproduces in large numbers in these places rich in sebaceous glands. Its metabolites constantly irritate our skin, which may cause seborrheic dermatitis.

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3. Genetic factors

Genetics can be frustrating. Some people may be born with a "genetic code" for active sebaceous gland secretion, or be particularly sensitive to Malassezia, so they are more likely to be targeted by seborrheic dermatitis. If your family has had seborrheic dermatitis, you have to be careful, because this little monster may come to play with you too!

4. Lifestyle

Lifestyle habits can also affect the occurrence and development of seborrheic dermatitis. For example, staying up late for a long time and eating greasy food are like pressing a chaotic button on the body, causing endocrine disorders and disrupting the rhythm of sebaceous gland secretion. In addition, if you use highly irritating cosmetics for a long time and damage your skin, seborrheic dermatitis may take the opportunity to emerge.

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Daily conditioning to help recovery

1. Keep your skin clean

Keep your skin clean, but don't overdo it. For patients with seborrheic dermatitis, it is important to choose the right shampoo. Shampoos containing selenium sulfide and zinc pyridone are very good, which can help control sebum secretion and inhibit the growth of Malassezia. You should also pay attention to the frequency of washing your hair. Too frequent washing will dry out your skin and the symptoms may become more serious.

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2. Adjust your diet

You should also pay attention to your diet. Eat less spicy, greasy, and greasy sweet foods, as they will stimulate the sebaceous glands to secrete more sebum, aggravate the symptoms, and cause the disease to recur. Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and other foods rich in vitamins and dietary fiber, which can effectively improve the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis.

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3. Keep a regular schedule

Make sure you get enough sleep and don't stay up late. Good sleep can speed up the metabolism of the skin, help the skin repair, and become healthier.

4. Reduce mental stress

Long-term mental stress is not good for your body, and your skin will also suffer. You need to learn to relax, such as exercise, meditation, and listening to music. These are all good ways. Go for a run or swim a few times a week, or find a quiet place to meditate, listen to your favorite music, make yourself feel good, and your skin will also get better!