Medical Information As we speak: Can seborrheic dermatitis trigger hair loss?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a pores and skin situation that causes an itchy, flaky rash to develop on the scalp, face, or different elements of the physique. Many individuals name it dandruff. Hardly ever, an individual can expertise short-term hair loss with seborrheic dermatitis.

On this article, discover out extra about seborrheic dermatitis and the way it might trigger hair loss.

We additionally define the remedy choices out there for this situation.

Share on PinterestNon permanent hair loss is an unusual symptom of seborrheic dermatitis.

Though seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp doesn’t are inclined to trigger hair loss, the American Hair Loss Affiliation be aware that it may typically result in short-term hair loss.

Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory pores and skin situation that happens on account of a selected yeast on the pores and skin. The sebaceous glands produce a kind of oil referred to as sebum, which the yeast thrives on.

A number of components might give rise to an overgrowth of this yeast, akin to extra sebum on the scalp. The result’s irritation, which manifests as flaking, itching, and a few redness on the pores and skin.

Hair loss just isn’t widespread in seborrheic dermatitis. If it does happen, it’s possible from scratching and rubbing the scalp, as it may be very itchy.

In very uncommon instances, irritation may additionally have an effect on the hair follicles and trigger short-term hair loss. In these conditions, the hair loss just isn’t everlasting and can ultimately develop again if the particular person takes steps to manage the irritation.

Researchers are nonetheless not sure as to the complete underlying explanation for seborrheic dermatitis, in addition to why some folks have a tendency it have it whereas others don’t. Some consultants imagine that it could be as a result of adjustments in hormone ranges.

Researchers have additionally recognized a possible hyperlink between seborrheic dermatitis and well being situations together with Parkinson’s illness and HIV.

Sure components can set off a flare-up. These embody:

sunheataggressive topical remedy

Seborrheic dermatitis just isn’t infectious, so folks can not catch it from one other particular person.

Any hair loss that happens on account of seborrheic dermatitis is often reversible.

Sometimes, the hair will develop again as soon as an individual has acquired remedy for the irritation that triggered the hair loss and stopped scratching or rubbing the scalp.

When there’s important or scarring hair loss, it will not be because of the seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis can co-exist with different scalp situations, a lot of which — akin to androgenic alopecia — could cause hair loss.

In infants, seborrheic dermatitis often clears up by itself with out remedy. In adults, it tends to be a power situation. Which means that folks might have flare-ups of seborrheic dermatitis all through their life.

Nevertheless, there are particular therapies that may assist cut back signs throughout a flare-up. The sections under talk about the remedy choices for seborrheic dermatitis.

Though remedy won’t fully remedy seborrheic dermatitis, it may assist alleviate a number of the signs.

Individuals might be able to deal with gentle instances of seborrheic dermatitis utilizing pure dwelling cures, akin to aloe vera and tea tree oil. Nevertheless, these choices mustn’t change standard therapies, a lot of that are over out there over-the-counter.

An individual who experiences frequent or extreme flare-ups might require prescription therapies from their physician.

Pure therapies

One older examine from 1999 used a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to research the consequences of aloe vera on seborrheic dermatitis.

Over the course of four–6 weeks, 44 adults with seborrheic dermatitis utilized one in all two therapies to their scalp twice per day. One group utilized an aloe vera ointment, whereas the opposite utilized a placebo.

These making use of the aloe vera ointment reported a 62% enchancment in signs, whereas these within the placebo group reported a 25% enchancment. The researchers concluded that aloe vera extract is profitable within the remedy of seborrheic dermatitis.

The next pure therapies may additionally assist alleviate dandruff and different signs of seborrheic dermatitis:

Over-the-counter therapies

The next over-the-counter (OTC) therapies might assist alleviate seborrheic dermatitis flare-ups in addition to maintain the situation underneath management. A number of the therapies outlined under are appropriate for infants, whereas others are appropriate for adolescents and adults.

For infants

Individuals should buy child shampoos formulated to deal with scalp situations in infants. These might comprise mineral oil.

To deal with seborrheic dermatitis in infants, the American Academy of Dermatology recommend:

utilizing child shampoo on the scalp dailygently brushing away scaly pores and skin because it turns into softerapplying OTC seborrheic dermatitis treatment to the scalp

For adolescents and adults

Sure shampoos comprise particular formulation to assist deal with seborrheic dermatitis in adolescents and adults. These embody shampoos for treating dandruff, in addition to shampoos containing the next substances:

selenium sulfidepyrithione zincsalicylic acidsulfurcoal tar

Individuals also can purchase OTC shampoos containing a category of antifungal drug referred to as azoles. One instance of that is ketoconazole (Nizoral). An individual ought to ask their pharmacist for recommendation on how and when to make use of the shampoo.

In some instances, a pharmacist might advise an individual to alternate between the remedy shampoo and their common shampoo. Individuals might ultimately be capable to cut back their use of the remedy shampoo to a few times per week.

Prescription medicines

Some folks might expertise extreme or frequent flare-ups of seborrheic dermatitis that don’t reply to OTC therapies.

In such instances, an individual ought to see their physician or dermatologist. They might suggest a corticosteroid answer to assist cut back scalp irritation or a stronger, prescription-strength shampoo.

In infants, seborrheic dermatitis often clears up by itself by the point they’re 6–12 months previous. In some instances, the situation might return in puberty. This can be as a result of hormonal adjustments.

Some adults may additionally discover that their seborrheic dermatitis clears up with out remedy. Nevertheless, most adults with the situation will expertise flare-ups for a few years. Utilizing preventive therapies akin to antidandruff shampoos may help stop and deal with flare-ups.

In very uncommon and extreme instances, seborrheic dermatitis might lead to some hair loss. This tends to be reversible.

Nevertheless, hair loss just isn’t widespread in seborrheic dermatitis. If there’s important hair loss, it could be as a result of one other trigger which may require medical remedy.

There are lots of efficient remedy choices that may relieve the signs of seborrheic dermatitis and deal with the irritation it causes.

Utilizing OTC antidandruff or medicated shampoos may help deal with the signs of seborrheic dermatitis. Individuals with extreme or persistent seborrheic dermatitis ought to see their physician to debate different remedy choices.