Do I Have Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Do you have skin flakes (dandruff) on your scalp, hair, eyebrows, beard or mustache?

Do you have poorly defined localized scaly spots or diffuse scales on the scalp?

Do you have patches of greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales or crust on the scalp, face, sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids, chest, armpits, and groin area or under the breasts?

Do you have red skin in the affected area?

Do you have itching in the affected area (minimal itch most of the time)?

Do you have salmon-pink, thin, scaly, and poorly defined plaques in skin folds on both sides of the face?

Do you have scales in the shape of petals or rings on the hairline and on the chest?

Do you have a combination of oily and dry skin in the middle part of the face?

Do you have scaly red eyelid margins?

Do you have a rash in armpits, under the breasts, in the groin folds, and genital creases?

Do you have superficial folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles) on cheeks and upper trunk?

Do you have winter flares that improve in the summer after sun exposure?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis is a common condition that usually affects the skin on your scalp. It is characterized by an itchy rash with flaky scales. There are two types of seborrheic dermatitis: infantile and adult. Infantile seborrheic dermatitis affects infants under the age of 3 months, while adult seborrheic dermatitis often begins in late adolescence. In newborns, seborrheic dermatitis usually resolves by the age of 1, while in adults it can last for years. This condition is more common in men than in women. Also, people with oily skin are prone to seborrheic dermatitis.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin disorder that refers to a chronic type of eczema. It usually appears on the areas of the skin which are rich in oil-producing glands (sebaceous glands) such as your scalp, face, sides of the nose and your upper back. The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown. The possible cause of this condition may be an inflammatory reaction to yeast called Malassezia, which can be normally found on the skin’s surface. A diagnosis is based on skin examination. A skin biopsy may be useful, but is not usually needed.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis is a common disease characterized by a skin rash. The affected skin is red, swollen with a greasy appearance. You may notice a white or yellowish crusty scale on the affected skin’s surface. This condition is not caused by poor hygiene, although it may look like that. There is no cure for seborrheic dermatitis, but there are treatment options that can help to remove scale, prevent infection of your skin and reduce swelling and itch. Your dermatologist will prescribe the type of treatment according to your age and the affected skin part.