Tips For Combating Seborrheic Dermatitis Flare Ups
Seborrheic is an embarrassing and uncomfortable skin condition to have, as it not only makes your face look patchy and inflamed, but it itches and hurts, too. If you're struggling with seborrheic dermatitis, try these tips to improve your appearance and the way your skin feels.
Keeping Clean
Although no one's entirely sure what causes seborrheic dermatitis, one of the leading theories is that it's caused by an immune response to an excess of skin yeast. One of the first things you should do to control seborrheic dermatitis is maintain an excellent skin regimen to minimize the excess yeast as much as possible. This means washing your face every day, or even twice a day, especially if you have oily skin, as that's where the yeast thrives and grows.
Try Honey
Many seborrheic dermatitis sufferers swear by honey, and it has a study to prove that it works, too. One study had participants with seborrheic dermatitis apply a mixture of raw honey and water to the affected areas of their skin every other day, with the mixture staying on the skin for 3 hours. Once four weeks passed, the participants switched to once a week for six months. The initial treatments helped to reduce the itching, scaling, and scalp hair loss, and continuing to do it every week kept the symptoms at bay.
Repair Skin Barrier
Another theory behind the problem of seborrheic dermatitis is that a damaged skin barrier allows the yeast to wreak havoc on your skin, damaging it. Harsh cleansers, makeup, and other skin products can potentially weaken or destroy your skin's barrier, allowing the skin to become susceptible to a variety of bacteria and pathogens.
You might be glad to know that even if your skin barrier is damaged, it's possible to restore it. Using products that contain hyaluronic acid and fatty acids can help to repair your skin barrier. Alternatively, you could use a product like Cerave moisturizer, which is specifically designed to restore and protect your skin's barrier.
See a Dermatologist
Finally, it's important for seborrheic dermatitis sufferers to see a dermatologist. Only a dermatologist can determine if you actually have seborrheic dermatitis and not another similar skin condition, like psoriasis. They also have the ability to prescribe medication that can help to combat the growth of yeast and reduce the inflammation your skin is exposed to.
Seborrheic dermatitis is unsightly and irritating, but you don't have to put up with the redness, itchiness, and scales that it creates. For more information, contact Henry E. Wiley, III, M.D. or a similar medical professional.