This increased sebum production causes irritation and inflammation on the scalp, which causes scalp itching, our common reaction is to scratch our scalp, damaging it even further. This damage causes hair loss, which is how seborrheic dermatitis is linked to hair loss. Additionally, excess sebum production causes an imbalance in Malassezia on the skin, which is a naturally-occurring yeast that also causes inflammation and damage to hair follicles if left untreated. Consulting with a trichologist, however, gives you many options to prevent hair loss and minimize the symptoms.
What Is the Cause of Seborrheic Dermatitis?
There is no direct cause that trichologists are aware of. This condition often develops in healthy people, although, there are a few factors that can increase risk or a chance of developing this chronic condition:
- Psoriasis, HIV, Acne, Rosacea, Parkinson’s Disease, and other pre-existing conditions
- Depression, alcoholism, eating disorders, recovery from stroke or heart attack, and other stress-inducing factors
- Issues contributing to a weakened immune system, as well as medications that lower the immune system
- Chronic stress
- Genetics
Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis:
Since seborrheic dermatitis impacts the scalp and sebaceous glands, the symptoms are each a byproduct of overproduction of oil on the skin and within the hair follicles. These symptoms include scaly skin, flaking skin, greasy patches, dandruff, itchy scalp, rashes and redness on the scalp, and thinning hair.
Treating Seborrheic Dermatitis:
If you suspect that you have seborrheic dermatitis or have been diagnosed as having it and are wondering if you are having a flare-up, consider scheduling an appointment with a trichologist who can take a look at your scalp and make sure that what you are experiencing is seborrheic dermatitis and suggest a treatment that works best for you.
Trichology treats three parts of this problem:
- Addresses the oily scalp through a combination of shampoos that help control the sebum. In-studio treatments are also a part of the process, that are followed by maintenance at home with natural products.
- Itchiness and oiliness are reduced with natural plant-derived sulfur in the products provided by a trichologist. This compound works well with the human body and has no side effects. In-studio treatments are also followed up with maintenance at home with additional natural products.
- Hair loss due to seborrheic dermatitis is treated by a trichologist with a variety of treatments at our studio, followed by home treatments that maintain the scalp and skin that prevent reoccurrences.
Ways to Reduce Flare-Ups:
Flare-ups can be difficult to manage, but if you are aware of the conditions that increase your chances for a flare-up perhaps you can work to avoid some of them. Remember, a flare-up of seborrheic dermatitis causes inflammation, irritation, and itchiness. Pay attention to these symptoms and take note of when they happen, also share with your trichologist when flareups are likely to happen so that they can make sure that you are prepared. Perhaps they are due to some of the following conditions:
- Increased stress
- A change in shampoos or soaps
- Hormonal changes
- Cold or dry weather
Things That Can Help Relieve the Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis:
The best way to relieve the symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis is to seek help from a trichologist. As a professional in the field who specializes in the health of your scalp, a Trichologist can help ensure that the treatment plan for your condition is monitored and symptoms are minimized. If you have an emergency flare up and aren’t able to schedule a time to see a Trichologist right away some alternatives can help you, but they have some side effects you should consider.
Shampoos that treat dandruff with the ingredient pyrithione zinc have been shown to reduce the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis. Pyrithione zinc eliminates the fungus that is responsible for seborrheic dermatitis flare-ups. It is also available in creams and face washes, so if your flare-ups cause issues with more than just your scalp, you can still treat it. Pyrithione zinc may cause a stinging or burning sensation on the scalp when used, so don’t hesitate to consult the expert advice of a trichologist to help you decide if this is the best option for you.
A medication that may be able to help, Ketoconazole, can be especially effective in preventing the growth of fungi associated with seborrheic dermatitis, however, some of the side effects can include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, headaches, and skin rash.
Medicated shampoo is the predominant treatment method when it comes to seborrheic dermatitis, especially since the skin condition mainly affects the scalp. Medicated shampoos that include selenium sulfide, pyrithione zinc, or salicylic acid have proven very effective in not only treating the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, but also in reducing dandruff, healing the redness and inflammation, and relieving itching which exacerbates the issue. Sometimes these shampoos can cause oiliness and dryness on the scalp, or abnormal hair texture, rashes, and headaches.
Topical corticosteroids can also be used as a way to treat seborrheic dermatitis, since they reduce inflammation, relieve patches on the skin, and itchiness. Some corticosteroids have been shown to have both anti-inflammatory effects, and antifungal properties. Side effects can include skin peeling, nausea, blistering skin, increased sweating, acne, and insomnia.
Hair Loss Doesn’t Have to Be Permanent if You Have Seborrheic Dermatitis
Our best recommendation if you have any of the symptoms described in this article is to seek the advice of a trichologist. Since the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis can present as other scalp issues entirely, this condition can be overlooked for quite some time. Overlooking or misdiagnosing a condition of the scalp can lead to unnecessary hair loss, therefore, scheduling an appointment with someone who can definitively give you answers and help you create a treatment plan that provides the biggest impact with the least amount of side effects, can be of great benefit to you. Don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule an appointment with us here at New Look Institute today, where we have trichologists on hand who can help.
