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Seborrhoeic Eczema/Dermatitis

What is seborrhoeic eczema?
This is a scaly inflammatory skin rash most common on the scalp, eyebrows, sides of nose, ears, middle of chest, back, underarms and groin. It can occur in infancy and adulthood.

What causes it?
It is believed to be caused by a yeast-like micro-organism in the skin.

What does it look like?
Red and scaly patches which may be paler or darker than the person’s normal skin colour. It can cause ‘cradle cap’ on the scalp in infants.

Can it be cured?
There is no cure. It tends to clear in infants before 12 months, but tends to come and go in adults. It can however be controlled by treatment.

How can it be treated?
Infants – Mild steroid creams mixed with an antifugal, sulphur and/or salicylic acid. Mild shampoo

Adults – Medicated shampoo (Zinc pyrithione, selenium sulphide, ketoconazole, steroid, salicylic acid, coal tar) at least twice weekly in active disease, weekly for maintenance. Combinations of topical steroids, antifungals, sulphur, salicylic acid. ‘Oily cap’ (arachis oil and salicylic acid mixture) for severe scalp involvement.