Seborrheic eczema is a chronic skin disease characterized by the appearance of small red nodules in the so-called seborrheic places – in areas of the skin in which the sebaceous glands are located. Plaques are shiny fatty crusts and scales, localized mainly on the scalp, auricles, chest, upper back, and nasolabial folds.

Rashes can be interconnected, forming annular and garland -shaped outlines. If you remove the crusts, a weeping surface will be found under them. The affected area has a clear boundary.

Expert opinion

– The appearance and spread of a rash can provoke severe itching and burning, as a result of which there is a desire to comb the foci of inflammation. Mechanical damage to the skin leads to the development of a secondary infection and, as a result, complicates the course of the underlying disease.

Like seborrheic dermatitis, seborrheic eczema develops due to the vital activity of microorganisms: fungi Pitysporum ovale , Candida and Staphylococcus bacteria . In patients with seborrheic dermatitis and related neuroendocrine diseases, the risk of seborrheic eczema is increased, but in general it can develop at any age and regardless of gender.

Diagnosis of seborrheic eczema

To determine if a patient has seborrheic eczema, a dermatologist will scrape the skin to test for pathogens. In addition, tests to determine the immunological and hormonal status may be needed.

Causes of seborrheic eczema

Seborrheic eczema, like seborrheic dermatitis, occurs due to the multiplication of microorganisms in the mouths of the sebaceous glands. However, the main causative agent of the disease is Pitysporum ovale – is present on the surface of the skin of almost any person, but rashes occur only in a small percentage of the population. Why this happens, dermatologists still cannot answer exactly, but possible causes of the development of seborrheic eczema have been identified:

• heredity;
• hormone imbalance and metabolic disorders;
• disruption of the endocrine system;
• violation of the digestive system, including the liver and gallbladder, intestines;
• weak immunity and hypovitaminosis;
• physical and psychological fatigue.

Seborrheic eczema worsens in winter, when the body suffers from a lack of vitamins and minerals. It is worth remembering that the acute period is accompanied by severe itching, which leads to the formation of wounds. Due to reduced immunity, these wounds become a gateway for infection.

Treatment of seborrheic eczema

Seborrheic eczema requires a long and painstaking treatment, including not only getting rid of the symptoms, but also the treatment of the underlying disease. Thus, in parallel, treatment by a gastroenterologist or endocrinologist is required if the cause of the development of seborrheic eczema is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract or the endocrine system. In addition, it is necessary to take antibiotics and antimycotic drugs inside.

In parallel with the treatment of concomitant diseases, funds for external use are prescribed. To block inflammatory receptors, a glucocorticoid ointment is prescribed. It eliminates itching and accelerates cell regeneration. Depending on the causative agent of the disease, antifungal or antibacterial ointments are used. Skin degreasing measures may also be prescribed, for example, treatment of weeping wounds with brilliant green, an alcohol solution with the addition of salicylic acid, or powder with the addition of sulfur or resin. These measures are designed to normalize the work of the sebaceous glands and reduce the intensity of weeping of wounds.

If the rashes are localized on the scalp, the same treatment is prescribed as for seborrheic dermatitis, namely the use of shampoos containing naftalan , tar, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, sulfur, zinc pyrithione .

Treatment of seborrheic eczema with drugs Losterin

Conventional cosmetic shampoos, as well as shower gels, soaps, should be avoided in patients with seborrheic eczema, mainly because of skin irritating perfumes and surfactants. It is preferable to replace hygiene products with gels specially designed for sensitive and irritated skin, for example, Losterin gel . It gently cleanses damaged skin, disinfects its surface and has antimycotic and antibacterial action. Another advantage of the Losterin gel is softening and nourishing the skin due to the content of vegetable oils.

After the acute period has passed, funds are needed to remove crusts, restore the epidermis and reduce itching. In no case should crusts be removed “ dry ”, otherwise open wounds will form and the treatment will not make sense. If the crust is ready to come off, it can be easily removed with olive or sea buckthorn oil by soaking a cotton swab in it. Then, a cream is applied to the opened delicate surface, which promotes cell regeneration, strengthens collagen fibers, and normalizes metabolism in the epidermis. These creams may contain tar, zinc, tar naftalan , panthenol , retinol, sulfur, salicylic acid and urea.

Cream ” Losterin ” is preferred for the treatment of seborrheic eczema due to its powerful regenerative properties. Urea and salicylic acid in its composition have a keratolytic effect, and nutrition and cell repair provides the simultaneous action of almond oil, dexpanthenol and Japanese Sophora extract.

Physiotherapy can also help speed up recovery. For patients with seborrheic eczema, cryomassage, laser and magnetic therapy, darsonval are prescribed .

To avoid exacerbation, patients are instructed to follow a hypoallergenic diet (especially in winter) with the exception of citrus fruits, seafood, nuts, whole milk, honey and canned foods.

Prevention of seborrheic eczema

Preventive measures for seborrheic eczema are aimed at preventing exacerbation. These include:

• diet – it is necessary to minimize the use of potentially allergenic foods;
• personal hygiene – excess sebum makes it necessary to shower 1-2 times a day. The water should be warm, for hygiene it is necessary to use products specially designed for sensitive skin;
• limiting external irritants – chemicals can irritate and injure the skin. Therefore, it is necessary to do work involving contact with chemicals with gloves, and dress in natural, well-blown fabrics;
• timely treatment of chronic diseases;
• regular examinations by a dermatologist and testing.