Oily, flaky and irritated skin are common skin issues which often relate to the inflammatory skin condition called Seborrheic dermatitis or commonly called Seborrhea. Seborrhea typically affects the T-zone area of the face, which includes the forehead, eyebrows, the sides of the nose and the hairline & scalp.

Who is affected by Seborrheic dermatitis?
Seborrhea affects any age group but is most commonly found in adults aged 30-60 and in infants under the age of one, which is commonly referred to as ‘cradle cap’.

What causes the skin condition?
The precise cause of this skin condition is unknown. Some causes could be genetic, hormonal, environmental or immune system related. Factors which can inflame or exacerbate an existing issue could be emotional stress, fatigue, illness, or diet.

The oiliness of the skin is caused by excessive sebum production by sebaceous glands. It is assumed that Malassezia fungus appearing naturally in the skin, consumes the sebum, proliferates and can produce substances that can irritate and inflame the skin if a skin sensitivity exists. These events contribute to red, inflamed, itchy and sometimes sore skin. Flakiness is caused by excessive proliferation of the skin cells.

The symptoms of Seborrheic dermatitis in infants, children & adults
Seborrhea flare-up symptoms depend on the severity. In early on, mild cases, there is red, irritated and flaky skin. In more severe cases, the skin can become thick, scaly and often greasy. The areas of rash can be itchy and sore.

Many individuals suffering from this condition tend to experience it on their scalp as well. Seborrheic scalp dermatitis can cause similar symptoms on the scalp, most notably dandruff, oily hair and if severe, hair loss.

Click here to learn more about other skin conditions such as Psoriasis.