7 Natural Treatments for Seborrheic Dermatitis(PARTII )

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Causes and Risk Factors of  Seborrheic Dermatitis

What causes seborrheic dermatitis? Although experts still aren’t totally sure why dermatitis develops, it appears to be related to the composition of the skin’s sebaceous gland secretions, the proliferation of Malassezia yeasts that can cause negative skin responses, and abnormal immune responses. (7)

Sebum is the component of the skin’s surface that produces oils (lipids) to keep the skin adequately hydrated. It contains high amounts of squalene, wax esters and triglycerides that normally prevent dryness. Research suggests that people with dermatitis might have close-t0-normal sebaceous gland activity. However, changes in the composition of the skin’s surface — coupled with a hyperactive immune system — might trigger abnormal responses to microbes on the skin.

Immune responses increase as there’s also a higher growth rate of lipid-dependent microorganisms, including yeasts. Malassezia yeasts are normally present on the skin in sebum-rich (oily) areas of the body, such as the face, scalp, trunk and back. But in people with seborrheic dermatitis, they appear to be produced at higher levels. In the process they leave behind byproducts that cause skin irritation and inflammation.

Seborrheic dermatitis commonly occurs among patients with other health conditions that affect their immune systems and raise inflammation.

Examples of these conditions are HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), autoimmune diseases, food allergies, mood disorders, recurrent infections or neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Seborrheic dermatitis is especially common in those with severely compromised immune function. In fact, it affects approximately up to 11 percent of immuno-competent adults and up to 85 percent to 95 percent of HIV patients. (8) Those with HIV usually experience more intense cases of seborrheic dermatitis and often do not respond to standard treatment as quickly as patients without immunocompromised systems. (9)

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) also notes that your risk for seborrheic dermatitis also increases if you are taking one of the following medications: (10)

• Interferon
• Lithium
• Psoralen

Even in people who don’t have other serious health conditions, risk factors for dermatitis include:

• Significant life stress
• Experiencing trauma
• Low exposure to sunlight (resulting in possible vitamin D deficiency)
• Hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menopause