Seborrhea is a dermatological disease that affects the scalp and is characterized by increased sebum secretion and changes in sebum secretion. The main symptom is thickening of the stratum corneum, peeling, severe itching. In the transition to a chronic form – alopecia (baldness).
reasons
Genetic predisposition
Aggressive environment
Pregnancy
Puberty period
Pre-climax
Diseases of the endocrine system – diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism
The main causative agent of seborrhea is the yeast–like fungus Pityrosporum ovale, which changes the chemical composition of sebum. It is found in 90% of the population. Another reason trichologists consider inadequate dandruff treatment, aggressive hairdressing services, excessive application of personal hygiene rules, as well as its absence.
symptoms
With seborrhea, the scalp peels off, flakes off, signs of inflammatory processes are obvious. Usually seborrhea begins with the back of the head and the hairline, then when untreated, it passes to a smooth skin. In rare cases (about 15%) seborrhea occurs on the eyebrows, eyelashes. If such skin manifestations are accompanied by itching – dry seborrhea. In another case, with a prolonged course without adequate help, red spots, plaques on the skin are formed, covered with thick scaly crusts, which the patient combs, as a result of which the integrity of the crusts is violated, blood inclusions appear. Since combing, the patient brings microorganisms into the crack – a secondary infection joins, and the whole process is aggravated.
Another variant of seborrhea – oily – is characterized by the formation of light yellow scales that tightly cover the entire scalp. If you exfoliate these scales, there is a pale pink slightly inflamed skin under them, thin, rapidly traumatizing. Due to the increased fat content of the head, the scales stick together, the appearance of the hair becomes untidy, greasy.
Stress, physical and mental stress aggravate seborrhea, hair becomes thin, brittle, dull and thin. The scalp is dehydrated, after shampooing, even despite the increased fat content, there is a feeling of tightening, dryness.
diagnostics
If you suspect seborrhea, you should consult a trichologist. He will examine the skin, prescribe studies. It is very important to find out the cause of seborrhea – a study of hormone levels, the state of the gastrointestinal tract, a neurological history. Laboratory analysis will determine the causative agent of seborrhea and, therefore, prescribe adequate medication.
treatment
A mandatory aspect is to follow a diet. It is forbidden to eat fatty, donated, sweet and salty food. The diet includes vegetable fiber, foods rich in vitamin B, zinc. Local treatment includes rubbing zinc and tar preparations into the scalp.
If the scales fit too tightly to the skin, they are first softened with vaseline oil, then covered with antimycotic drugs containing nizoral. In the most severe cases, with the ineffectiveness of antifungal drugs, hormone therapy is prescribed.
Hardware physiotherapy is also indicated: cryomassage, darsonvalization. These methods soothe the skin, relieve inflammation, itching goes away. After the disappearance of the clinical symptoms of seborrhea, therapeutic shampoos are prescribed, which must be used for another 2-3 months and then up to twice a month. Patients with seborrhea are not recommended to dye their hair, do perming, overuse styling products, it is better to dry their hair naturally.
