If you have ever suffered from a flaky, red, itchy scalp, chances are you’re familiar with the condition known as seborrheic dermatitis, also called seborrhea. Seborrheic dermatitis is the presence of inflamed, irritated skin on the scalp and other parts of the body that tends to peel and flake off. While the scalp is the most common location of these outbreaks, others have reported bodily seborrheic dermatitis on the chest and the arms, for example. While it should not be confused with other skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, some of the treatment options might be similar. For one, an anti-fungal treatment has been known to be one of the best ways to target and eliminate the effects of seborrheic dermatitis.
Treatment
The truth is, many treatments do not fully rid of the condition; rather, they are utilized to curb flare ups and reduce the severity of the scarring and scabbing. The inflammatory nature of the condition is treated by anti-inflammatory drugs and creams, while the anti-fungal creams and other treatments work to reduce the amount of sebum produced as a result of the condition. Seborrheic dermatitis is, after all, a fungal condition on the skin.
Products: Oral Anti-fungals
According to a study published by the doctors Gupta AK, Richardson M, Paquet M in 2014, eight different oral anti-fungals were tested and were deemed to be effective in treating the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis. From the study, these are: itraconazole, terbinafine, fluconazole, ketoconazole, pramiconazole, prednisone, isotretinoin and homeopathic mineral therapy. You may recognize terbinafine if you have ever suffered from athlete’s foot; it is the anti-fungal property that is found in most of the creams and ointments that treat the condition. All of these have been deemed gentle and potent enough to target your dermatitis.
Topical Anti-fungals
If you prefer not to ingest a pill, then there are various face and body washes that will act just as potently. When shopping for an anti-fungal cream, gel, or wash, there are two natural ingredients that have been gaining popularity: tea tree oil, which already delivers tremendous benefits to the skin whether you have seborrheic dermatitis or not, and oregano oil. Tea tree oil is a gentle oil found in many cleansers and toners that can rid or reduce the body of the effects of acne, inflammation, fungus, scabies, and other painful conditions. Oregano oil is typically used to relieve itchiness and pain from rashes.
Body washes and soaps
You will have to look at the many ingredients that go into the production of your soaps and body washes, especially if they are perfumed. Ingredients such as the perfumes, which contribute to the great smell, can actually irritate your dermatitis. The best ingredient to look for in helping to alleviate your dermatitis is zinc pyrithione, which has tremendous antifungal properties. You can easily find a bar of zinc pyrithione soap online or in various drug stores.
