Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes redness, scaly patches, and dandruff. It is a chronic form of eczema that most often affects the scalp. It can also develop on oily areas of the body, like your face, upper chest, and back. When infants develop this condition, doctors call it cradle cap. This typically develops within the first few weeks of birth and gradually disappear over several weeks or months. Dandruff is a common characteristic of seborrheic dermatitis and can appear as fine, powdery pieces of dead skin. It might be visible on your hair or dark clothing.
Two main factors contribute to the development of the condition.
- Overproduction of oil. An excess amount of oil in the skin might act as an irritant, causing your skin to become red and greasy. This may relate to hormone production.
- Malassezia, a type of yeast that naturally occurs in the skin’s oils can sometimes multiply more than usual, causing an inflammatory response in the skin. This triggers increased oil production, and excessive oil can lead to seborrheic dermatitis.
In infants, it is due to the hormonal changes that occur in the mother during pregnancy. The fluctuating hormone levels might stimulate the infant’s oil glands, leading to an overproduction of oil that can irritate the skin.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a long-term skin condition that requires ongoing treatment. But you can manage the condition effectively by working with a doctor to formulate a treatment regime with daily scalp lotions, anti-dandruff shampoos, and even tablets, if severe.