Seborrheic dermatitis is thought to be due to a combination of an over production of skin oil and irritation from a yeast called malessizia.

Seborrheic dermatitis appears to run in families. Stress, fatigue, weather extremes, oily skin, infrequent shampoos or skin cleaning, use of lotions that contain alcohol, skin disorders (such as acne), or obesity may increase the risk.

Neurologic conditions, including Parkinson's disease, head injury, and stroke may be associated with seborrheic dermatitis. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has also been linked to increased cases of seborrheic dermatitis.

Symptoms

Seborrheic dermatitis can occur on many different body areas. Usuallky it forms where the skin is oily or greasy. Commonly affected areas include the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, creases of the nose, lips, behind the ears, in the outer ear, and middle of the chest.

Seborrheic dermatitis in infants, also called cradle cap, is a harmless, temporary condition. It appears as thick, crusty, yellow or brown scales over the child's scalp. Similar scales may also be found on the eyelids, ear, around the nose, and in the groin. Cradle cap may be seen in newborns and small children up to age 3 .

Cradle cap is not contagious, nor is it caused by poor hygiene. It is not an allergy, and it is not dangerous. Cradle cap may or may not itch. If it itches, excessive scratching of the area may cause additional inflammation, and breaks in skin may cause mild infections or bleeding.

In general, symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis include:

Skin lesions

Plaques over large area

Greasy, oily areas of skin

Skin scales -- white and flaking, or yellowish, oily, and adherent -- "dandruff"

Itching -- may become more itchy if infected

Mild redness

Hair loss

Homeopathic Treatment:

Sanicula: – Scaly dandruff over the scalp, eye-brows and other hairy parts.

Phosphorus: – Copious; falls out in clouds. Falling off of hair in bunches. Itching of scalp

Graphites: – Herpetic dandruff (dandruff accompanied with eczema or other eruptions). Scalp scaly with distressing itching, humid, Falling of hair, Burning on vertex

Calcaria Sul. – Dandruff on the scalp causes eruptions with thick yellow crusts; eczema; also pimples due to dandruff; falling of hair.

Thuja: – White scaly dandruff; hair dry to falls out.

Psorinum: – Dandruff smells badly.

Arsenic Alb.:- In debilitated subjects. Patients with fair skin. Scalp itches intolerably; circular patches on bare spots; dry scales; nightly burning and itching.

Acid Flour: – Dry scurfy irritable scalp with falling off of hair.

Mezerium: – With great itching and loss of hair