Seborrhoeic dermatitis

There are over a thousand entities in dermatology; it is difficult to understand all in just a few pages. We are going to describe a few common skin problems. This is purely educational; if you have a skin disease, please consult your dermatologist.

If you have dandruff problem, you have a very high chance of having seborrhoeic dermatitis, being one of the most commonly encountered skin disease. There is a commensal yeast on our scalp known as Malassezia. When they overgrow, they irritate our skin causing itch and skin flaking. Like acne, most people will be affected by this condition at some stages in life.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis affects mainly the face and scalp. It causes redness, itch and skin flakes. It also affects the mid-brow area and the cheeks.

The mainstay treatment is to use an anti-yeast shampoo regularly to reduce the yeast population, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory topical medication. Once it is under control, a once weekly shampooing is all that is required to keep you free from dandruff.