[Imiseok Theme Dermatology Clinic] If seborrheic scalp dermatitis is left untreated, will it lead to seborrheic hair loss!?

Hello. This is Imiseok Theme Dermatology Clinic. Skin conditions that easily occur in cold, dry weather often cause itchy skin due to dryness. Not only the face, arms, and legs, but also the scalp can become itchy, and because it itches, some people keep scratching the scalp and worsen scalp inflammation. However, most people simply think, “I’ve got dandruff; I should shampoo more carefully,” and leave it at that. If you leave it untreated like that, seborrheic scalp dermatitis can develop and may further worsen into seborrheic hair loss. That is why it is important to treat seborrheic scalp dermatitis quickly when it occurs. Today, let’s look at the symptoms of seborrheic scalp dermatitis and seborrheic hair loss.

What is seborrheic scalp dermatitis?

Seborrheic scalp dermatitis, one of the representative conditions of seborrheic dermatitis, is a phenomenon in which dandruff, dead skin cells, pimples, and similar symptoms appear on the scalp, mainly caused by excessive sebum secretion, fungal infection, stress, and the consumption of greasy and irritating foods.

You should suspect seborrheic scalp dermatitis if: 1. the scalp becomes itchy and dandruff increases, 2. the scalp turns red, 3. there is pain when pressing on the scalp, 4. inflammation, oozing, or crusts appear on the scalp.

Then, what is seborrheic hair loss?

Seborrheic hair loss occurs when the symptoms of seborrheic scalp dermatitis—such as scalp itching, increased dandruff, inflammation, oozing, and crusting—become severe, damaging the hair follicles and leading to hair loss. As seborrheic scalp dermatitis persists for a long time, androgenetic hair loss in both men and women may also appear alongside seborrheic hair loss.

If the scalp is red, shows inflammation, has a lot of white dandruff, and itching continues, you should suspect seborrheic scalp dermatitis + hair loss. In severe cases, aged dead skin cells and sebum debris cover the entire scalp, causing pain and a bad odor, which creates discomfort in daily life. The pain and odor can also cause stress, and the resulting external stress may even lead to social withdrawal.

Prevention of seborrheic scalp dermatitis/hair loss

Manage stress so that you do not become stressed, and avoid irritating behaviors such as scratching the scalp with your fingernails. Use a non-irritating shampoo, and when shampooing, rinse thoroughly with water so that no shampoo residue remains. Always keep the scalp clean, but washing too often can actually make it worse, so shampooing once a day is appropriate. After shampooing, dry your hair all the way to the scalp.

Treatment methods for seborrheic scalp dermatitis and hair loss

Seborrheic scalp dermatitis tends to be chronic, so it often recurs even after treatment, making consistent management important.

Seborrheic scalp dermatitis can be treated by using small amounts of steroid medication and by undergoing scalp care programs at a hair loss center, such as scalp scaling. However, if treatment is carried out incorrectly, it can lead to seborrheic hair loss, so special caution is needed.

In the case of seborrheic hair loss, there is a high likelihood that androgenetic hair loss in women or men will appear together, so treatment suitable for the scalp and hair must be provided.

Hair loss treatments include Haircell, mesotherapy, scalp regenerative laser, Scarlet, and various other treatments, and customized treatment should be received after consultation and examination.

Imiseok Theme Dermatology Clinic has treated the skin of countless patients based on extensive clinical experience of more than 600,000 cases, and plans treatment programs according to the diagnosis and prescription of board-certified dermatologists, providing treatment tailored to the patient's condition. In addition, to show more effective treatment, we continuously add and replace premium laser treatment equipment.