Seborrhea: what is it and how to treat it

Seborrhea is one of the most frequent problems affecting the skin. It is connected by the formation of reddish and white patches, along with irritated and itchy skin.

It affects the scalp and some parts of the face such as the area near the nose and behind the ear, the forehead and the eyebrows.

It may also be bonded to the  appearance of symptoms along the body in the chest and buttocks area.

The most common treatments involve personal hygiene, the use of specific shampoos, and the possible administration of medication.

What is seborrhea

The term seborrhea indicates a medical condition of our body skin  in which there is a seborrhea. The most common situation of seborrhea is an irritated skin on which whitish-red patches form, linked to  a severe itching. This situation also shows the formation of oily and greasy skin that often causes local inflammation.

The areas of the body most affected by this problem are the scalp, face, chest and buttocks.

Although it is mostly recognized on men, this condition can also be highlighted in women and children. Especially in infants where the so-called “milk crust” can form.

Seborrhea, if left untreated, can give rise to dermatitis and be accompanied by hair loss, as in the case of alopecia seborrheic.

Pathologies associated with seborrhea

If you notice that you have the symptoms mentioned above, it is essential to contact a dermatologist to conduct more in-depth analysis.

In fact, there are several causes that can lead to the appearance of the pathology. For example, polycystic ovary syndrome or acromegaly are diseases that often cause seborrhea.

In addition to these, the seborrhea condition can be induced by other factors like Parkinson’s disease and HIV, but also simply stress or hormones.

It has been experimentally proven that seborrhea can also be triggered by poor hygiene, low nutrition or the excess of alcoholic beverages.

How to treat seborrhea

There is not just one single therapy for this condition as its treatment is closely related to the type of personal situation.

Classic cures

For this reason, it is always recommended to make special visits with an  expert in the field..

First advice and the most important concerns personal hygiene, which must be taken care of in a special way in such a situation. In fact, by cleansing the skin, we allow the dermis to hydrate properly, restore balance and eliminate the presence of any scales.

The use of specific shampoos, containing minerals such as zinc, may also be indicated to improve the condition of seborrhea when it affects the scalp area.

Alternatively, the specialist may indicate some medicines to be taken orally or applied locally to the area of concern. These medications are often based on substances such as steroids or salicylic acid that help the body fight the inflammatory state of the skin.

Natural Remedies

To treat the condition of seborrhea, there are also natural cures. The first noteworthy one concerns the use of “crab apple“, a flower particularly indicated for the treatment of seborrhea in an advanced state, that is, seborrheic dermatitis.

Besides this, borage oil borage and bardana are useful too.