Getting rid of seborrheic dermatitis is a difficult task. Seborrheic eczema treatment decisions has to take in account the patho-physiological basis of the disease. Here are a few tips on how to get rid of seborrheic dermatitis.

1. HOW I MANAGE IT
DR. HANISH BABU, MDDR. HANISH BABU, MD
Dermatologist & VenereologistDermatologist & Venereologist
City Medical Centre, Ajman, UAECity Medical Centre, Ajman, UAE
Read about: How to Get Rid of Seborrheic Dermatitis
Copyright Dr.Hanish Babu, MD, 2009

2. THE DEFINITION
Seborrhoeic Dermatitis is a hyperproliferative
disorder of the epidermis in the sebaceous rich areas
of the body associated with increased and altered
sebum production and yeast colonization.
Read about: How to Get Rid of Seborrheic Dermatitis

3. THE QUESTION:
Is the increased sebum production the primary
event?
Does the Malassezia colonization lead to increased
sebum production?
Read about: How to Get Rid of Seborrheic Dermatitis

4. MALASSEZIA & SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS
Malassezia globosa; M.restrictaMalassezia globosa; M.restricta
Digestion of Seb.Tg
Release of Oleic Acid
Penetrate Str.Corneum
Alternate pathway activnAlternate pathway activn
Barrier CompromisedBarrier Compromised
Increased Sebum
Dermatitis
Hyperproliferation
Repair Process
Dr.Hanish Babu, MD, 2009

5. Genetic Predisposition
Seborrheic DiathesisSeborrheic Diathesis
Stress, Fatigue
Environmental
Hormonal
Immune Def,
Imm.alterations
?Food
Alcohol
Drugs
Diseases
SebumSebum
MalasseziaMalassezia
Sebum alteration
Alternate Complement
Pathway
Inflammation
Hyperproliferation &
dermatitis

6. Mild –Moderate-Severe
Dandruff
Mild Moderate Severe
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Psoriasis overlap
Seborrhiasis
Read about: How to Get Rid of Seborrheic Dermatitis

7. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
Scalp: Contact Dermatitis, Psoriasis, Atopic
Dermatitis, Infective Dermatitis 2ry to Pediculosis
Ear Canal: Otomycosis,Psoriasis,Contact Dermatitis
Face: Rosacia,Contact Dermatitis,Psoriasis,Impetigo,
2ry Syphilis,Drug eruptions
Chest and Back: Psoriasis, Pityriasis Rosea,Contact
Dermatitis,Drug Eruptions
Drug Eruptions: OCP, Systemic Steroids,
Androgens, auranofin, aurothioglucose, buspirone,
chlorpromazine, cimetidine, ethionamide, gold,
griseofulvin, haloperidol, interferon alfa, lithium,
methyldopa, phenothiazines, psoralens, beta
blockers,stanozolol, thiothixene.

8. DISEASE ASSOCIATED WITH
SEBORRHOEIC DERMATITIS
Parkinsonism
Other Neurological: Epilepsy, Idiopathic Post
Encephalitis syndrome
Immune deficiency: HIV, neoplasms, drug induced.
Immune Alterations: C5 deficiency: Leiner’s
Letterer Siwe: Scaling scalp with petechiae
Read about: How to Get Rid of Seborrheic Dermatitis

9. PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT
Patient educationPatient education
No Cure. Like dental care: daily attention.
Regular Washing of scalp
Anti seborrhoeic treatment alternating with normql
shampooing
Hair tonics & tinctures with alcohol base:
Aggravate
Normal Soap & Shaving Creams: Use emollients and
emollient soap substitutes
Alter Food Habits: low fat, low sugar diet ;cut down
on the alcohol.
Manage Stress

10. MANAGEMENT
1. Regulation of Hyper-Seborrhea
 Control Of Dietary Habits
 Stress Management
 Regular Washing without causing irritation
 Avoidance of offending drug, alcohol
 Usage of creams containing antiseborrhoeic agents:
 Zinc Acetyl Methionate,
 Undecylenic Acid Derivatives
 Other antifungal creams and solutions to control
Malassezia
Read about: How to Get Rid of Seborrheic Dermatitis

11. MANAGEMENT
2. Control of the Yeast
 Imidazole solutions or creams: 2-3 times a week
 Antifungal shampoos: Daily till control,
then weekly twice.(Ketoconazole, Zinc
Pyrethrone,Cyclopirox,Undecylenic acid etc)
 Regular Washing
 Other shampoos: containing Tar ,Salicylic acid or
selenium sulphide
 Avoidance of offending drug, alcohol
 Control of Seborrhoea
Read about: How to Get Rid of Seborrheic Dermatitis

12. MANAGEMENT
3. Removal Of Thick Scales
 Overnight application of tar/urea/salicylic acid
containing creams
 Rubbing with warm mineral oil and washing off
 If crusting and oozing: A course of antibiotic
with a steroid-antifungal cream for 5-7
days;once scales and 2ry infection is cleared;
start antimalassezia treatment
Read about: How to Get Rid of Seborrheic Dermatitis

13. MANAGEMENT
4. Severe and Un-responsive Cases
 1- 2 Weeks’ course of systemic antiyeast
treatment with Ketoconazole,Itraconazole or
Fluconazole
 Class IV or lower strength topical steroid
creams, lotions or solutions for acute flares
for 5-7 days only.
 Continue with anti seborrhoeic/ antiyeast
measures
 Other alternatives: Calcineurin derivatives
Pimecrolimus/tacrolimus, metronidazole gel,
Narrow band UVB therapy etc.

14. Read about: How to Get Rid of Seborrheic Dermatitis
Read about: How to Get Rid of Dandruff
Copyright Dr.Hanish Babu, MD, 2009