Causes and Symptoms of Seborrhoeic Eczema
Seborrhoeic eczema is a form of eczema that mainly affects the head, face and the trunk of the body and is closely linked with dandruff. This condition is associated with the sebaceous glands that are responsible for the secretion of natural oil, called sebum, which is essential as it lubricates the skin, giving it its soft, supple texture. When a person is suffering with seborrhoeic eczema, these sebaceous glands become overactive resulting in an excess secretion of sebum that has an adverse effect on the skin. Excess sebum clubbed with a yeast infection causes dry or greasy flaking of the scalp, face and in some cases, the trunk, and is mainly found along the margin of the hair or in skin folds. Seborrhoeic eczema is in no way contagious or harmful but should be attended to at the earliest in order to minimize discomfort.
Seborrhoeic eczema can be an inherited disorder. Pollution, unhygienic conditions and temperature changes can lead to seborrhoeic eczema. Stress, fatigue and sleep deprivation are believed to aggravate the condition. Greasy areas of skin, skin lesions, itching and mild redness are characteristic of seborrhoeic eczema. In severe cases, thick, oily, yellowish-brown crusts may form on the skin and severe inflammation, redness and itching may be experienced. This disease can lead to hair loss if ignored.
Treatment of Seborrhoic Eczema
Seborrhoeic eczema can be brought under control through numerous natural remedies, but the results cannot be obtained overnight. Hence, it is essential to follow a strict skincare routine persistently. Personal hygiene is a matter of priority when trying to get rid of seborrhoeic eczema. Since oil buildup is the main cause of seborrhoeic eczema, washing your hair several times a week will prove beneficial in minimizing the accumulation of sebum, dead skin cells and other pollutants that affect the scalp and hair adversely. The use of a mild, medicated antifungal shampoo and body wash is recommended to curb the growth of the fungi that aggravates the condition. Applying milk of magnesia on the skin, just before a bath, will prove beneficial in the treatment of seborrhoic eczema. After a bath, a final rinse with a mixture of a few drops of tea tree oil and water will also prove beneficial as tea tree oil has the ability to kill microbes and absorb excess oil. After a bath, massaging the affected area with aloe gel is advantageous due to the natural moisturizing, antimicrobial and skin-healing properties of aloe. The intake of a tablespoon of flaxseed oil daily is also known to reduce the symptoms of seborrhoeic eczema.