SEBORRHOEIC DERMATITIS AND HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

                                                   SEBORRHOEIC DERMATITIS.

               

                This type of dermatitis that occurs consequent upon excessive secretion of sebum (seborrohoea). Obviously, it occurs at places where sebaceous glands are numerous (e.g. scalp, axillae and the glands). The dry form is characterized by the presence of patches covered with fine, browny and creasy white scales. When this type of seborrhea is associated with erythema and follicular papules, the condition is called seborrhoeic dermatitis.

AETIOLOGY OR CAUSES:-

                 Excessive secretion of sebum may be due to several factors. Such a person has large sebaceous glands especially around the nose, face and the axillary folds.

Some of predisposing factors for these conditions are below.

-          Hormonal imbalance.

-          Continued anxiety.

-          Excessive consumption of fat and carbo hydrates.

-          Infections with micro organisms over the skin surface.

TYPES:-

1.       GREASY FORM:-

The greasy form (seborrohoea oleosa) affects the face and the scalp. The affected person has large sebaceous glands at these sites. Patchy erythematosus areas covered with greasy scales or crusts are present over the affected site. Hair roots, especially those over the vertex and the eyebrows are affected resulting in patches of alopecia. Acne vulgaris may be associated.

2.       DRY FORM:-

The dry form (seborrohoea sicca) is characterized by the presence of patches covered with fine, browny and greasy white scales. When this type of seborrohoea is associated with erythema and follicular papules, the condition is known as seborrhoeic dermatitis.

 Seborrhoeic dermatitis usually occurs at 3 different sites – the scalp (seborrhoeic capitis), face and the flexures.

-          Seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp is full of white scales (commonly known as dandruff or scurf).

-          The scales are in fact, exfoliations derived from the horny layers of the epidermis. When scaling is associated only with erythema, the condition signifies a milder form of seborrhoeic dermatitis.

-          In more severe type of seborrhoeic dermatitis, the erythematosus patches are greasy due to oozing of sebum.

-          In the severest type, greasy erythematosus patches covered with crusts are spread all over the scalp.

-          Seborrhoeic dermatitis of the face affects the eyebrows, nose and the ears.

-          Seborrhoeic dermatitis of the flexures affects the axillary folds, groin and the under surface of the breasts. Greasy erythematosus papules are present at these sites.

-          In chronic seborrhoeic dermatitis the lesions are more erythematosus and more oozing than simple seborrhoeic dermatitis.

-          The lesions are covered with greasy crusts that separate out as flakes. Oozing from the scalp lesions may be so profuse that the pillow is soaked with greasy discharge that occurs during the night.

TREATMENT:-

-          The affected part should be kept dry and non- greasy. In case of seborrhoeic capitis, the scalp should be washed with a shampoo twice a week.

-          In acute stage, soothing and astringent are advisable along with a systemic antibiotics and ant histaminic drugs.

-          In chronic cases, local application of an ointment containing salicylic acid, sulphur precipitate, liquid carbonis detergens in a non- greasy base are advisable.

-          Certain dietary items particularly sweets, chocolates, ghee and dried fruits should be avoided.

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMNET;-

Some of the medicines which acts well on seborrhoeic dermatitis are below.

1.       CHAMOMILLA.

2.       HEPAR SULPH.

3.       MERC SOUL.

4.       PULSATILLA.

5.       RHUS TOXI.

6.       SILICEA.

7.       ACONITE.

8.       APIS.

9.       ARSENIC ALBUM.

10.   AURUM MET.

11.   BARYTA MUR.

12.   KALI SULPH.

13.   NITRIC ACID.

14.   PLUMBUM MET.

15.   STAPHYSAGRIA.

16.   SULPHUR.