Eczema is an extremely common affliction—it affects children and adults alike. IT can also affect various parts of the body, from the legs, to the elbows, to the scalp. In fact, scalp eczema is one of the most common forms of eczema, perhaps because the skin on the scalp is different from the skin anywhere else on the body.
What’s Different About The Scalp?
The scalp is especially vulnerable to eczema, because the skin on the scalp is so unique. The sebaceous glands on your scalp produce a large amount of grease, and the scalp contains hair follicles as well. These characteristics alone make the skin on the scalp different.
Other environmental factors make the scalp more vulnerable to scalp eczema. The truth of the matter is, your head receives more exposure than other parts of your body to direct sunlight, heat, and cold. Additionally, your hair and scalp are exposed to cosmetic procedures that might damage your skin, such as shampooing and perm.
Scalp Eczema, Or Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
Another name for the skin condition “scalp eczema” is seborrhoeic dermatitis. Seborrhoeic dermatitis causes irritation and itching, and it results in oily, greasy scales of skin that eventually flake off. This leads to what is known as dandruff. The group of people most commonly affected by seborrhoeic dermatitis is adults aged 30-60, and it is more commonly seen in men than in women.
Symptoms of seborrhoeic dermatitis, or scalp eczema, are very distinctive from the symptoms of scalp psoriasis; however, they are often mistaken for each other. The symptoms of scalp eczema include: itchy scalp, a red and inflamed scalp, oily and yellowish scales that might flake off, and scales or greasy skin patches on the eyebrows or behind the ears.
The causes of scalp eczema are not certain. However, most health professionals think that it might be related to hormonal imbalances. Another theory is that it is caused by a fungus that lives on the skin. Although it is a chronic condition, it can be treated and managed.
Treatments For Scalp Eczema
The good news about scalp eczema is that there are many available treatments. These treatments are being improved upon every day. Some of the best treatment options include: anthralin, pyrithione, saliclyc acid, and corticosteroids.
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
Although scalp eczema is fairly common, it is also fairly easy to get rid of. Consult your doctor right away if you suspect that you have scalp eczema, and it could be gone before you know it!
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