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Last Updated: May 16, 2020
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Seborrheic dermatitis: Who gets and causes, Faqs

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Dr. Venu KumariDermatologist • 18 Years Exp.MBBS, MD - Venereology & Leprosy
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This is a very common skin disease that causes a rash. When this rash appears, it often looks like the one pictured above. The skin tends to have a:

Reddish color.
Swollen and greasy appearance.
White or yellowish crusty scale on the surface.



One or more of these rashes can appear on the body. Sometimes, the affected skin itches.

Who gets and causes What causes seborrheic dermatitis?

Researchers are still studying what causes this common skin disease. From what they have learned, it appears that the cause is complex. Many factors seem to work together to cause seborrheic dermatitis. These factors may include the yeast that normally lives on our skin, our genes, living in a cold and dry climate, stress, and a person’s overall health.

By studying seborrheic dermatitis, researchers have learned the following:

It is not caused by poor personal hygiene.
It is not an allergy.
It does not harm the body.


Who gets seborrheic dermatitis?

People of all colors and ages get seborrheic dermatitis. You have a higher risk if any of the following apply to you.
Age

People in these two age groups are most susceptible:

Infants 3 months of age and younger.
Adults between 30 and 60 years of age.


Medical conditions

Your risk increases if you have any of these medical conditions:

HIV (About 85 percent of people infected with HIV develop seborrheic dermatitis).
Acne, rosacea, or psoriasis.
Parkinson’s disease.
Epilepsy.
Stroke or heart attack (recovering from).
Alcoholism.
Depression.
Eating disorder.


Medical treatments

If you are taking any of the following medicines, your risk for seborrheic dermatitis increases:

Interferon.
Lithium.
Psoralen.

References:
Habif TP, Campbell JL, et al. “Seborrheic dermatitis.” In: Dermatology DDxDeck.China, Mosby Elsevier: 2006, p. 40.
Plewig G Jansen T. “Seborrheic Dermatitis.” In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, Katz SI, et al. editors. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine, 7th ed. United States of America, McGraw Hill Medical; 2008. p.219-25.
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