Can seborrheic dermatitis be cured completely?

Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
Updated on February 10, 2025
00:00
00:00

Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrheic eczema, is a chronic, superficial inflammatory skin disease characterized by papular and scaly eruptions that occur in areas with excess sebum production. It often causes varying degrees of itching and commonly affects areas rich in sebaceous glands, such as the head, face, and trunk, and is more frequently seen in adults and newborns. The exact cause of this condition is still unclear; it is generally considered to be related to sebum secretion and changes in its chemical composition. Additionally, colonization and infection by Malassezia, as well as several other factors such as stress, diet, deficiency in B vitamins, and alcohol consumption, can also influence the occurrence and development of the disease. Since the causal factors are not well understood and there are many triggering factors, the disease has a chronic course and can recur repeatedly. Although seborrheic dermatitis can be cured, it can still recur.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
56sec home-news-image

Seborrheic dermatitis is caused by what?

Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrheic eczema, is a chronic papular squamous superficial inflammatory skin disease that occurs in areas with excessive sebum secretion. It can be accompanied by varying degrees of itching and is commonly found on the scalp, face, chest, and back where sebaceous glands are abundant. Both adults and newborns are frequently affected. The exact causes of this condition are not yet fully understood. Currently, it is generally believed to be related to an increase in sebum secretion or changes in its chemical composition. Additionally, colonization and infection by Malassezia fungi, along with factors such as stress, diet, vitamin B group deficiency, and alcohol consumption, can all influence the occurrence and development of this disease to varying degrees.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
58sec home-news-image

What is seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis refers to a type of inflammatory skin disease that occurs in areas where sebum secretion is abundant, including the face, chest, and back. These areas tend to be oilier and are prone to developing erythema and greasy scales. If the seborrheic dermatitis is of the dry type, it may also be accompanied by symptoms of peeling skin. The condition commonly affects individuals with hyperactive sebaceous glands, typically those with oily skin. Some people have combination skin that is also prone to oiliness, making them susceptible to seborheic dermatitis, often due to improper skin care. Dietary habits, frequent late nights, and consuming overly spicy or greasy foods can also lead to the development of seborrheic dermatitis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
1min 43sec home-news-image

How to completely cure seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp?

Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrheic eczema, is a chronic, superficial inflammatory skin disease characterized by papular scaly rashes, predominantly occurring in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the head, face, and trunk. The exact cause of this disease is still not fully understood. It is mainly believed to be related to an increase in sebum secretion or changes in its chemical composition. Additionally, colonization and infection by Malassezia yeast, along with factors like stress, diet, deficiency in B vitamins, and alcohol consumption can all influence the occurrence and development of this condition to varying degrees. Due to these factors, the disease has a chronic course and may relapse repeatedly. Seborrheic dermatitis occurring on the scalp, although clinically curable, can still experience flare-ups. Its symptoms mainly include oily hair, scalp papules, erythema, dandruff, and itching. Clinical treatment primarily involves the use of shampoos containing ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, or salicylic acid. This can be accompanied by oral antihistamines, supplementation with B vitamins, or zinc-containing preparations. It is crucial to maintain regular life habits, ensure sufficient sleep, restrict diets high in polysaccharides and fats, increase the consumption of vegetables and fruits, avoid alcohol and spicy irritant foods, use less hot water and strongly alkaline soaps for bathing, and avoid various types of mechanical irritation to reduce the recurrence of scalp seborrheic dermatitis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
1min 4sec home-news-image

How to deal with seborrheic dermatitis?

For seborrheic dermatitis, topical application of some corticosteroid medications like desonide ointment or hydrocortisone butyrate cream can be utilized. However, it is important to avoid prolonged, excessive use on the more delicate facial skin. In cases of oozing or erosion, treatments such as boric acid solution or saline can be used for wet compresses. Additionally, for seborrheic dermatitis, one may also choose calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus ointment or pimecrolimus cream. If severe itching occurs with seborrheic dermatitis, symptomatic itch relief should be provided, primarily through oral antihistamines such as desloratadine dispersible tablets or cetirizine hydrochloride tablets. Treatment can also include traditional Chinese medicine based on differential diagnosis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
1min 35sec home-news-image

How to treat seborrheic dermatitis on the face?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic, superficial inflammatory skin disease with papular and scaly lesions that occurs in areas with excessive sebum secretion, often accompanied by varying degrees of itching. When seborrheic dermatitis affects the face, our clinical treatment mainly includes three aspects. The first is topical medication treatment, which can involve the use of low-concentration tacrolimus ointment or pimecrolimus cream, as well as zinc oxide oil, nitrofurazone ointment, zinc oxide and boric acid ointment, etc. If necessary, short-term use of compound preparations containing glucocorticoids and antibiotics, such as compound miconazole ointment and compound econazole ointment, may be employed. The second is oral medication, which can supplement B-group vitamins, primarily B2, B6, or a compound vitamin B, as well as zinc-containing preparations. For severe itching, antihistamines can be taken orally. In cases of bacterial infection, antibiotics such as erythromycin or tetracycline can be used, and can be supplemented with traditional Chinese herbal decoctions. The third aspect is to inform patients to maintain a regular lifestyle with sufficient sleep, limit high-carbohydrate and high-fat diets, avoid spicy and irritant foods, avoid alcohol consumption, eat more vegetables and fruits, avoid various mechanical irritations, and use less hot water and highly alkaline soap when washing the face.