What Are The Causes Of Seborrheic Dermatitis What Aggravates It
Researchers arent sure of the exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis. They think there may be many causes. Factors that are thought to play a role include:
- A type of yeast called Malassezia, which is present on everyones skin, but overgrow in some people.
- An increased level of androgens .
- An increased level of skin lipids.
- An inflammatory reaction.
- Family history .
Other factors that trigger or worsen seborrheic dermatitis include:
- Stress.
- History of other skin disorders, including rosacea, psoriasis and acne.
Why African Americans Experience Greater Hair Loss
Individuals with afro textured hair may experience even greater degrees of hair loss than seborrheic dermatitis sufferers with other hair textures due to the medications and treatment regimens prescribed by their doctors and because of different hair care practices among individuals with tightly coiled hair.
Many individuals with afro textured hair avoid daily washing and opt to wash their hair weekly or every two weeks to keep their hair from becoming dry and brittle. They also add oils to their hair and scalp in between washings to further moisturize and condition their hair. These hair maintenance practices become problematic during seborrheic dermatitis flare ups because the disease thrives in an oily environment. Additionally, treatment for seborrheic dermatitis typically requires use of medicated shampoos and ointments that must be applied to the scalp regularly. Over-the-counter and prescribed medications may further strip natural oils and moisture from afro textured hair. When hair damage from daily washing and prescribed medicines is added to the hair loss sustained due to the removal of scaling it becomes clear why afro textured hair can be particularly adversely impacted by the disease.
Restoring Edges For Black Women
I encourage you to find out more about the treatment options currently available for restoring edges for black women as well as other African-American hair loss treatments specifically designed for Afro-textured hair.
To learn more about restoring African-American hair or for a free consultation call Dr. Frank for more information at 751-4246.
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Psoriasis On Arms
Is Your Scalp Irritated
Symptoms of a sensitive scalp may include the following: burning, tingling, pain, itching and redness. If your symptoms are severe, you may have a hyperreactive or hypersensitive scalp. Regardless of whether your case is mild or extreme, it is important to consider the factors that can cause the sensitivity of the scalp.
The symptoms may be due to an unbalanced diet or the use of the wrong shampoo. Also, exposure to certain weather conditions, pollution or stress may cause you to experience sensitivity in the area of the scalp. Taking these and other factors into account will help you determine why your skin is so sensitive and how to best improve this situation.
In many people, shampoos containing harsh chemicals is one of the main causes of scalp sensitivity. The cleansers or aggressive surfactants, present in many shampoos, can wash away the acid mantle of the scalp, that is, the natural acidity that protects your skin, leaving it vulnerable to dryness and irritation.
Some people report having a hypersensitive or sensitive scalp after receiving treatment for skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis.
When the natural protective barrier of the skin has been altered by one or more of these factors, microinflammation of the scalp can also become a major cause of the increased sensitivity. This occurs when the skin cells of the scalp become inflamed, increasing vulnerability to irritation.
The Best Scalp Moisturizer For Black Natural Hair
I am a big believer in chemical-free hair care products.
Because I know exactly what to expect from them.
Zero side effects.
When I used Head & Shoulders, for example, it worked fine at the beginning.
But then after a few weeks
I started feeling severe swelling and irritation on my scalp.
I knew something wasnt right.
So I dug a little deeper into the ingredients list and checked each item with an eagle eye.
And guess what?
Coal Tar one of its main ingredient causes Photosensitivity. A condition that makes your skin sensitive to sunlight, therefore causing burning and stinging sensations.
I had to stop using it immediately.
Since then, Ive been testing other products until I stumbled upon LivSo.
And I am glad I did. I immediately fell in love with the brand and what it stands for.
LivSo understands the unique needs of black African American peoples scalp and hair. Their scalp moisturizing products are formulated by expert dermatologists and scientific research.
In fact, 97% of people who used LivSo products for 12 weeks claimed that it was the best product ever to treat their dry scalp conditions.
For example:
Read Also: Psoriasis Treatment In Ayurveda Patanjali
Is Your Scalp Dry
This is a reverse situation. The hair looks dry, brittle, fragile, with split ends, difficult to untangle and comb. A dry hair is due to a scalp that lacks sebum, can be congenital in the case of people who secrete naturally little sebum or, acquired, although the dryness. In all cases, the skin barrier does not fulfill its function, the loss of water accelerates and the hair becomes dry, brittle and rough. Due to the lack of hydration, the hair is sensitive to static electricity and it becomes difficult to comb.
Treating Skin Of Color
For some psoriasis patients, getting the right diagnosis isnât always so black and white. And once minorities receive the proper diagnosis, they often face unique risks, challenges and stigmas.
Editor’s note: This story was updated on 06/17/2020. NPF has released a statement regarding the current racial injustice in the U.S.
When Brenda Kong was diagnosed with psoriasis in 1993, her family had been in the U.S. about 11 years. âMy parents spoke limited English, and there isnât a word in our language for psoriasis,â says Kong, who was born in Cambodia and whose parents spoke Khmer. âThey didnât understand what it was, and for a long time, they couldnât understand why Western doctors couldnât heal me.â
Kong, now 37, was diagnosed with psoriasis at 13 and psoriatic arthritis at 22. As an active young athlete, she tried to hide her skin by wearing long socks when she played volleyball and tennis, but her condition was difficult to conceal. Her parentsâ friends offered unsolicited advice about which foods to cut from her diet and which herbal teas to drink. Theyâd ask embarrassing questions and lift her sleeves to examine her skin. âThey were trying to help, but when youâre a teenager, youâre sensitive to everything,â says Kong, who lives in Oakland, California.
You May Like: Nail Psoriasis Treatment In Ayurveda
Diagnosing Psoriasis In Skin Of Color
Psoriasis is found more frequently in white than in African American and Hispanic populations. However, these numbers may not paint the full picture, as psoriasis may be more readily identified in people with lighter skin and it is sometimes misidentified in people with darker skin tones. âAcross skin types, many features present similarly, such as the symmetrical distribution of psoriasis on the body and well-circumscribed nature of psoriasis plaques,â shares Junko Takeshita, M.D., Ph.D., M.S.C.E., an assistant professor of dermatology and epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Differences do exist and are important to recognize, such as âthe red color or erythema that is typically seen with psoriasis on light skin often appears more purple or brown in darker skin types. Sometimes the scale that accompanies psoriasis is so thick that it is difficult to appreciate that underlying color of the plaque itself. Nevertheless, psoriasis remains a common condition across skin types and races/ethnicities,â continues Dr. Takeshita.
What’s The Difference Between Seborrheic Dermatitis And Psoriasis
Psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis can mimic each other. Both are patches of red skin with flakes. Both can be found on your scalp and back.
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease that affects 2% to 4% of the population. The scales of psoriasis are often thicker than that of seborrheic dermatitis. The edges of those scales are very well-defined. On the scalp, psoriasis scales are closer to a silver color than white or yellow.
There is a condition called sebopsoriasis where seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis overlap. In that case you have the symptoms of both: both white flakes and silver flakes, both on the scalp or back, both itchy.
If youre concerned about whether you have psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis, consult your healthcare provider. Treatment for one may not work as treatment for the other.
Read Also: What Age Can You Get Psoriasis
It Often Goes Undiagnosed
Psoriasis is likely to be under- or misdiagnosed in African Americans and people with skin of color. For instance, according to Dr. Sodha, these patients are 52% less likely to report having been given a psoriasis diagnosis by a physician. There are a few reasons for this, like the fact that people of color are 40% less likely than whites to report having seen a dermatologist for care. They also report three million fewer overall out-patient visits for psoriasis, Dr. Sodha notes. And population studies of psoriasis patients show that African Americans tend to report lower income and fewer years of education, which likely affects access and utilization of healthcare, thereby delaying diagnosis, leading to disease progression and delayed initiation of treatment.
Expertsand patientsagree that this is where education and normalizing conversations about skin conditions within diverse communities will help. My hope is that dermatologists are exposed to a diverse range of skin tones when theyre trained and educated, as well as in residency,” says patient advocate Reena Ruparelia of . This will ensure that patients get the best care and the peace that comes with a formal diagnosis.
Who Gets Seborrheic Dermatitis
About 11% of the population has seborrheic dermatitis. It occurs most often in infants younger than three months old and in adults ages 30 to 60. It is more common in men than in women, and in Caucasians more than African Americans.
If you are born with naturally oily skin, you are more likely to get this type of dermatitis. A history of psoriasis in your family makes you vulnerable as well. If you live in a dry, cold region, the weather doesnt cause the seborrheic dermatitis, but it does make it worse.
If you have these health issues, youre more prone to seborrheic dermatitis:
Immunosuppressions:
Recommended Reading: Psoriasis On Feet And Legs
What Is Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common, noncontagious, easy-to-manage skin condition. This type of dermatitis causes itchy red patches and greasy scales on your skin along with white or yellow crusty or powdery flakes on your scalp.
Seborrheic refers to the sebaceous glands while derm means skin. Its called dandruff when its on a teenagers or adults scalp, and cradle cap when its on a babys.
Seborrheic dermatitis can occur in other areas of your body. These are areas with the most sebaceous gland activity: your upper back and chest, face/forehead, the creases at the base of your nose, behind your ears, navel , eyebrows, under your breasts and in the creases/bends of your arms, legs and groin.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a lifelong condition that appears, disappears with treatment, and flares up from time to time.
Is Your Scalp Oily
If your scalp is heavy, it lacks volume and has a bright appearance, especially at the root. Behind these signs, there is usually a hyperseborrhea, whose causes can be diverse. The excess of sebum accumulates in the roots, which consequently present an oily appearance. Heavy and crushed, the hair is smoothed into strands, which look dirty because sebum traps dust in the air and easily adheres to the hair.
Also Check: Types Of Biologics For Psoriasis
Home Remedies For Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a recurring autoimmune disorder, characterized by itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales often occurring on your elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms and feet. Oddly enough, while it affects your skin, psoriasis actually begins deep on the inside in your immune system. Per the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations, 125 million people worldwide about 2 to 3 percent of the total population suffer from psoriasis.
Though it can be hard to diagnose because it can look like other skin diseases, heres what we know. A problem within your immune system causes psoriasis. In a process called cell turnover, skin cells grow deep in your dermis before rising to the surface. This typically takes about one month. With psoriasis, the process is complete in a matter of days. Because your cells are rising entirely too fast, youre left with the unsightly skin woe.
Even more, theres no cure. In fact, psoriasis symptoms tend to come and go as they please. In saying that, many factors can worsen or soothe the ailment.
Factors that worsen psoriasis:
Remedies for Soothing Psoriasis from the Comfort of Your Home
Avoid alcohol
Stop Scratching! Try These Natural Remedies for Itchy Scalp
Prevent a Psoriasis Outbreak by Identifying These Surprising Triggers
Is Psoriasis Genetic?
The Same Treatments Stand No Matter What The Patients Skin Tone May Be
Thankfully, there are a variety of options when it comes to treating psoriasis. You can combat the condition with topical steroids and phototherapy or with oral medications and biologics for more severe cases. I the biologics, because of the superior way that they control the disease with a simple injection every few weeks, Dr. Hartman says. Most of these medications can be self-injected, so you can safely administer them at home to treat your psoriasis without worrying about frequent trips back to the doctor’s office.
Coping with psoriasis in between treatments can be tricky since there’s no true cure for the condition, but there are topical remedies like these soothing dermatologist-approved lotions that might provide some relief in the meantime.
The bottom line: This immune disease might be more prevalent in patients with lighter skin, but people with Black skin can also suffer from psoriasis and are more likely to have severe cases of it if they do. Lesions can look purple-gray or dark brown. If you think you may have psoriasis, check with a derm.
Don’t Miss: What Not To Do With Psoriasis
Treating Scalp Psoriasis In Women Of African Descent
Dr. Andrew Alexis is the Chair of the Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai St. Lukes and Mount Sinai Roosevelt. He is also Associate Professor of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Alexis is the Co-Chair of the Skin of Color Seminar Series in New York City. During the 2017 conference he provided practical pearls and treatment outlines for African American patients with scalp psoriasis.
Dr. Alexis recommends selecting a treatment regimen that is compatible with the patients hair care practices including less frequent hair washing in women of African descent . Daily hair washing, especially with most prescription shampoos, is often associated with increased hair dryness and breakage. In addition, it is also very time consuming for most women of African descent due to common styling practices.
Suggested Regimen for African-American Females:
- Once weekly washing with prescription shampoo. This may be increased to two times a week depending on the severity and patient preferences
- Continue with usual conditioner
- Once weekly topical fluocinolone acetonide in peanut oil vehicle applied to the scalp for 6-8 hours overnight prior to washing or several times per week without washing
- Once to twice daily application of POTENT topical steroid in vehicle that is compatible with hair care practices and hair texture Ask the patient for vehicle preferences
- Alternative: calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension daily
Afro Hair Loss Treatment: The Correlation Between An Unhealthy Scalp & Hair Loss
A loss of fewer than 100 hairs per day is normal since it corresponds to the course of the hair cycle. If there is a greater loss of hair, it is convenient to take it into consideration for treatment. Excessive hair loss is often related to an unhealthy scalp.
External attacks of a physical nature can also affect the health of your scalp, such as using hair dryers with very hot air too close to the scalp, and other external factors such as aggressive cosmetic products, especially for oily hair.
Another scalp related problem that causes hair loss is microinflammation. This is a mild inflammation of the skin. In fact, they are so mild that they can not even be detected in clinical examinations. However, if we study the skin tissue where the micro-inflammations are located, we can detect the presence of inflammatory immune cells In other words, the skin responds to irritation with inflammation and, in this way, tries to repair itself. If these skin cells are subsequently subjected to further irritation, the skin may progress to a true inflammatory response.
If not scalp related, other causes for hair loss include a temporary situation such as stress, fatigue, pregnancy , change of season , deficiencies in the diet (especially iron, silicon, B vitamins, zinc, essential fatty acids, sulfur amino acids, and hormonal problems.
To also find out more about hair loss, read my article on Afro hair loss treatment.
You May Like: Psoriasis Treatment Tea Tree Oil
Psoriasis Can Cause Hair Loss
Natural black hair can dry out more quickly and become brittle. Most shampoos used to treat psoriasis require that they be used every day. The continued use of these products can lead to temporary or even permanent hair loss. The active ingredients found in these medicated shampoos often include salicylic acid and coal tar. Both of these ingredients accelerate the removal of dead skin cells which is exactly what is needed to treat the psoriasis. But they can also cause the scalp and hair to become very dry. In addition, it is very important to avoid excessive scratching. It may seem like a good idea to scratch the scaling to more quickly remove the build up of dead skin cells. However, the scratching could possibly damage the hair and you. Instead of only scales coming out you may see clumps of hair. Hair loss from psoriasis is usually only temporary during the time of a flare up. After the condition begins to heal the hair will typically return to normal.