Seborrheic dermatitis and the scalp
Seborrheic dermatitis usually develops at the beginning of puberty and is not contagious. The dermatitis is caused by a change in the skin's grease, also known as sebum. When this sebum changes, the yeast cells on the skin are likely to grow faster. Everyone has yeast cells on their skin, but if there are many, they can cause inflammation of the skin. The course of seborrheic dermatitis is variable, with quiet periods alternating with times when it is more active.
It is not known exactly what causes seborrheic dermatitis. What is known is that the yeast Malassezia furfur plays an important role. This yeast is found on the skin of many people, but it causes an inflammatory reaction in some. Other causes may include:
- Stress
- Genes
- Certain medical conditions and medications
- Cold, dry weather
- A reaction of the immune system
Not only can stress and cold be a cause, but they can also make dermatitis worse. It is also common in babies. About 70% of all newborns can be affected. Then it is called Cradle Cap.
Seborrheic eczema and hair loss
Seborrheic dermatitis is generally a chronic condition. You will always have to watch out for it and treat it. As mentioned earlier, it can flare up in intervals. If it persists for a long time, it can also have a negative effect on the health of the scalp. It is here where hair loss is associated with seborrheic dermatitis. The increased oil production causes irritation and inflammation of the scalp, leading to severe itching. Scratching the skin can damage hair follicles, hindering natural hair growth and causing hair loss.
Read more about it here: Scalp condition impacts hair growth and retention via oxidative stress
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The right treatment for seborrheic dermatitis
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to tackle the flaking and itching caused by seborrheic dermatitis. The best-known remedy is ketoconazole. This is an antifungal agent with a proven effect against dandruff and fungi. However, slight side effects have been reported with the use of this agent in shampoos. In some cases, people experience skin complaints such as itching, burning, redness and flaking. It is also unwise to stop treatment abruptly. This again causes irritation because the skin has become accustomed to the treatment. Another option is called Piroctone olamine. It has a similar effect as ketoconazole and is also known under the brand name 'Octopirox'.
Read more about the effect of piroctone olamine compared to ketoconazole here.
Neofollics shampoo is a shampoo that contains Piroctone olamine and promotes hair growth. In addition to 12 hair growth stimulating ingredients, this shampoo also tackles scalp problems such as seborrheic eczema. It soothes the scalp, is effective against dandruff and lays the foundation for healthy hair growth.
Only want to tackle seborrheic dermatitis? Then Neofollics has the Scalp Therapy Line. It provides relief from various scalp conditions, including seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, dandruff, flakes and irritated scalp. The Exfoliating Shampoo is clinically proven to provide relief through its high concentration of active ingredients.