Accompanying symptoms of seborrheic eczema
In addition to seborrheic eczema, some associated symptoms may also occur. Depending on the type of seborrheic eczema (dry or oily), either dandruff may appear, which is visible on the individual hairs and scalp, or, if it is the oily variant, too oily a scalp and oily hair. The frequently occurring, disturbing itching of the scalp also has a not inconsiderable effect on the general condition of the affected person.
This can result in restlessness, irritability and even sleep disorders. If seborrhoeic eczema is associated with inflammation of the scalp, it can also cause a burning or painful scalp. In very rare cases, headaches may also occur.
Diagnosis
Often the diagnosis of seborrheic eczema is a gaze diagnosis. If this skin disease is suspected, a dermatologist should be consulted to examine the affected skin area more closely. If he or she sees the scaly changes typical of the disease, he or she will examine the rest of the body to see if there are scaly, itchy changes in other areas of the skin.
There are several other skin diseases that have the same symptoms, but which mostly occur in other parts of the body. These include psoriasis, which is also known as psoriasis, and neurodermatitis. Both diseases can also cause scaly and reddish, inflammatory skin changes.
Psoriasis, however, usually affects areas of the upper body and the arms and legs. The clinical picture is characterized by a strongly thickened and horny skin surface in sharply defined areas. This skin begins to flake strongly, is always dry and peels off.
Neurodermatitis can also have dry components. Their occurrence is allergic, the occurrence mostly in the crook of the arm. Both alternative skin diseases can also occur on the scalp in rare cases.A corresponding differentiation is therefore sometimes not so easy.
Where do sebarrheic eczema occur?
It can also happen that seborrheic eczema does not spread on the scalp but in the facial area. This fact makes it probable that seborrheic dermatitis may involve sebaceous glands. This is because a large number of sebum-producing glands are found in the area of the facial skin.
If seborrheic eczema occurs in the area of the face, it is usually in the area of the forehead, on the cheeks and under the eyes. Corresponding areas around the eyes can also swell. The appearance of seborrheic dermatitis on the face is similar to that on the scalp.
The skin of the face is altered by scaling, may be reddened and itchy. In the case of severe infestation, swelling can also occur in the entire facial area. Another characteristic feature of seborrheic eczema is that the affected areas are usually sharply defined.
Thus, several small reddish scaly and itchy areas (usually roundish to oval) may appear on the forehead, under the eyes and on the cheeks. It is important to distinguish them from neurodermatitis, which can also occur in this area and may look similar. A seborrhoeic eczema occurs relatively more frequently in the scalp area than in other areas.
Although the reason for this is not known, the theory that sebaceous glands could be responsible for the development of the disease could be confirmed. Because in the area of the scalp there is a multitude of sebaceous glands. In the area of the scalp a seborrhoeic eczema leaves a strongly scaling scalp.
Sometimes there are also disease courses in which there is a rather greasy and yellowish scalp. The reason why one and the other type of eczema occurs is not known. There can also be numerous mixed patterns in this disease.
Also different different parts of the body can be affected. Some affected persons suffer from seborrhoeic eczema of the scalp and also of the facial area and possibly even of a part of the upper body or the back. Very pronounced variants, where all skin areas of the body are affected, occur relatively rarely.
