What is Seborrhoeic Eczema?

Seborrhoeic Eczema is a common type of Eczema that affects the greasy parts of the body such as the scalp, eyebrows, the corners of the eyelids, inner cheeks and sides of the nose. These areas are commonly referred to as the “T-Zone” of the face. Apart from this, the other common sites are the insides of the armpits, as well as the upper back and chest. This type of Eczema is most commonly seen at the onset of puberty when the oil producing glands of the body becomes active under hormonal changes. The eczema may be pink or red in colour, with fine peeling or flaking of the surface. Dandruff is also a kind of Seborrhoeic Eczema that causes itching and scaling of the skin. 

What causes this kind of Eczema remains unclear but it may be because of an overgrowth of yeast called pityrosporum. The yeast lives on our skin along with other microbes like bacteria. Sometimes factors such as change in climate or excessive sweating can lead to the overgrowth of the yeast that causes this Eczema to break out. The yeast is found in large numbers on the scalp, so washing your hair with an anti yeast shampoo will help. Anti dandruff shampoos can also help get rid of this complaint. 

Seborrhoeic dermatitis may predispose to psoriasis. However, the plaques of psoriasis are more persistent, thicker, and a deeper red colour, with large flakes of white scale. Psoriasis is very likely to affect elbows and knees as well as the scalp. However, sometimes it is difficult to tell psoriasis from seborrhoeic dermatitis on the face, scalp and chest and your doctor may diagnose an overlap condition, known as ‘sebopsoriasis’.

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