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Reviewed by Dr Victoria Lewis, specialist registrar in dermatology
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General Seborrhoeic eczema has little or nothing to do with sebum (the oily secretion of the sweat glands), so the name is a poor one. The name persists partly because some of the areas affected (eg the groins and armpits) are also where there are greater concentrations of sweat glands within the skin. It is a well recognised pattern of eczema affecting all age groups from young adults to the elderly. A type of seborrhoeic eczema is also seen in babies during the first year of life. Appearance and symptoms Four common patterns are seen.
Causes Skin infection by yeast called Pityrosporum is thought to play a part in seborrhoeic eczema. Anti-yeast treatment can therefore be effective, although it usually needs to be repeated periodically. Treatments
Medicated shampoos containing anti-yeast medication may keep mild activity under control. If there is a lot of scaling, additional treatments such as sulphur and salicylic acid cream followed by selenium shampoo or coal tar preparations can be needed.
A mixture of anti-fungal cream and mild steroid (1% hydrocortisone) is the usual regime for flare-ups. This is used for approximately two weeks at a time. Washing your face and body twice a week in the shower with the medicated shampoos listed above helps to prevent relapse.
The main treatments for infants are emollient creams, but mild steroid and/or antifungal creams may be needed. Cradle cap can be loosened with a mixture of salicylic acid in aqueous cream, which is then washed out with baby shampoo. Oils such as olive or arachis are also long-standing remedies for de-scaling cradle cap. |
| Based on a text by Dr Dan Rutherford, GP |
| Last updated 15.09.2005 |
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