What Causes Seborrheic Dermatitis? The Background Behind Recurring Flaking and Redness

3-Line Summary

1. The causes of seborrheic dermatitis are not limited to one factor.

   Sebum and Malassezia,

   along with the skin barrier and inflammatory response, are involved together.

2. Recurrent redness, flaking, and itching on areas with abundant sebum—such as the scalp, eyebrows, and sides of the nose—are characteristic.

3. Rather than trying to eliminate it completely, it is important to reduce aggravating factors and manage symptoms appropriately when they become severe.

Hello.

I’m Kim Ha-won from 뷰티스닥터.

When dandruff keeps appearing on the scalp or the eyebrows and sides of the nose become red and flaky, it is easy to think that the problem is caused by not washing properly.

For this reason, many people first look for products that leave the face feeling especially clean or that remove flakes.

However, seborrheic dermatitis is not a problem caused by dirty skin.

It is closer to a chronic inflammatory skin condition in which sebum, the yeast naturally present on the skin,

along with the skin barrier and immune response, act together in complex ways.

Rather than trying to eliminate all sebum, it is important to first examine why the skin keeps becoming sensitive.

1) What are considered causes of seborrheic dermatitis?

The first factor commonly mentioned is sebum.

Seborrheic dermatitis often appears on areas with well-developed sebaceous glands, such as the scalp and hairline,

the area between the eyebrows, the sides of the nose, and around the ears.

However, having a lot of sebum does not mean that everyone will develop the same symptoms.

Malassezia, a yeast commonly found on the skin, is also mentioned in connection with the causes of seborrheic dermatitis.

As this yeast uses sebum, it can produce substances that irritate the skin.

In skin that reacts sensitively to these substances, redness, flaking, and itching may appear.

A weakened skin barrier and each person’s individual inflammatory response can add to this.

This is why, in the same environment, one person may develop only dandruff while another may also experience facial redness.

Seborrheic dermatitis does not occur only on the scalp.

It may also appear on areas with abundant sebum, such as the eyebrows, beside the nostrils, inside and outside the ears, and the upper chest.

Therefore, rather than focusing only on reducing dandruff,

it is important to check the overall distribution, including whether redness and itching are also present around the face and ears.

2) How are causes different from aggravating factors?

If the cause of seborrheic dermatitis is the underlying basis of the condition,

aggravating factors are more like conditions that suddenly intensify the symptoms.

Dry seasons and low indoor humidity,

mental and physical stress,

and scratching the scalp or forcibly removing flakes can worsen redness and itching.

Washing the hair several times a day because the scalp feels oily,

or scraping away dandruff with the fingernails, should also be avoided.

Although the skin may appear cleaner right away,

minor wounds and damage to the skin barrier can make itching and flaking worse.

Wash your face and shampoo with lukewarm water,

and cleanse gently using your fingertips.

Rather than layering exfoliants and scrubs,

it is better to reduce the number of products you use and observe how your skin responds.

When the face is red and flaky,

it is also better to reduce the use of greasy ointments or cosmetics,

as well as shaving products with a high alcohol content, depending on the condition of your skin.

Recording the season and stress level on days when symptoms worsen,

along with any new products used over a period of two to three weeks,

can help you identify your own aggravating factors.

3) What direction does treatment take?

Treatment for seborrheic dermatitis focuses on controlling redness, flaking, and itching rather than eliminating them completely all at once.

Depending on the condition of the scalp,

medicated shampoos containing antifungal ingredients may be used.

For the face or areas around the ears, topical antifungal medication or medication to control inflammation may also be considered according to the degree of inflammation.

However, scalp psoriasis, contact dermatitis,

and fungal infections such as ringworm can look similar.

Because the medication and care methods differ depending on the condition,

it is difficult to make a self-diagnosis based only on photographs.

In particular, avoid using steroid ointments on the face arbitrarily for a prolonged period.

Long-term use may cause perioral dermatitis,

steroid-induced rosacea,

acne, and rebound flare-ups.

Even after symptoms have subsided, rather than stopping or changing medicated shampoos or topical medication on your own,

it is better to adjust the frequency and duration of use during a medical consultation.

Rather than continuing strong treatment for a long time,

it is necessary to distinguish between periods of worsening and routine maintenance,

and adjust the intensity according to the condition of the skin.

If flaking and redness persist for several weeks or longer,

if oozing and yellow crusts develop,

or if pain or swelling becomes severe or the affected area spreads quickly,

it is better to consult a dermatologist.

In Closing

The causes of seborrheic dermatitis are difficult to explain through sebum alone.

Malassezia and the skin barrier,

an individual’s inflammatory response, and aggravating factors in daily life can overlap,

causing symptoms to recur.

It is not uncommon for symptoms to improve and then return depending on the season or physical condition.

Rather than washing aggressively and removing flakes by force,

it is important to reduce irritation and continue care suited to the condition of your skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Will washing my hair every day help?

Washing your hair regularly so that sebum does not build up for too long may help.

However, it is better to avoid hot water, harsh cleansing,

and the habit of scratching with your fingernails.

Q2. Can I remove flakes with my hands?

Forcibly removing them may worsen inflammation.

Manage them gently with shampoo and moisturizer,

and if thick flakes keep recurring, have them checked during a medical consultation.

Q3. Can food cause it?

It is difficult to conclude that any one specific food is a direct cause.

The relationship between diet and seborrheic dermatitis remains controversial,

so it is better to observe your individual response.

Q4. Will medication cure it completely?

Medication can help calm the symptoms,

but seborrheic dermatitis in adults may repeatedly improve and worsen.

Even after the condition improves,

it is important to continue lifestyle care that reduces irritation.

Thank you for reading this lengthy post.

I’m Kim Ha-won from 뷰티스닥터.