Seborrhoeic Dermatitis

Question 1

What is seborrhoeic dermatitis (in adults)?

Answer 1

• A chronic dermatitis
• Caused by inflammatory rxn related to proliferation of normal skin inhabitant, a fungus called Malassezia furfur
• Common, affecting _~2% gen pop

Question 2

What are clinical features of seborrhoeic dermatitis?

Answer 2

• Eczematous lesions on sebum-rich areas
  
  • scalp (→ dandruff), periorbital, auricular, nasolabial folds
• Otitis externa and blepharitis may develop
• Associated conditions → HIV, Parkinson’s

Question 3

Seb Derm: How do you manage scalp disease?

Answer 3

• First-line → over the counter preparations containing zinc pyrithione (‘Head & Shoulders’) and tar (‘Neutrogena T/Gel’)
• Second-line → preferred agent is ketoconazole
• Selenium sulphide and topical corticosteroid may also be useful

Question 4

Seb Derm: How do you manage face and body?

Answer 4

• Topical antifungals eg. ketoconazole
• Topical steroids: best used for short periods

Difficult to treat - recurrences are common