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Dermatitis, Seborrheic

Shane L. Larson, MD and Briana Lindberg, CAQSM, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Chronic, superficial, recurrent inflammatory skin disorder affecting sebum-rich, hairy regions of the body, especially the scalp, eyebrows, and face and to lesser extent, chest, and ...

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis is usually made by history and physical exam. If unclear, a punch biopsy of the skin will confirm the diagnosis. 

HISTORY

  • Intermittent active phases manifest...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Increase frequency of shampooing.

  • Sunlight in moderate doses may be helpful.

  • Infants (cradle cap)

    • As above, increasing frequency of shampooing with a mild, non-medicated shampoo...

ONGOING CARE

Individuals with coiled hair or hair that is heat and/or chemically treated will need less drying agents to prevent hair breakage compared to those with straighter hair who may prefer dry...

REFERENCES

1
Dall'Oglio F, Nasca MR, Gerbino C, et al. An Overview of the Diagnosis and Management of Seborrheic Dermatitis. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022;15:1537-1548.
2
Okokon EO, Verbeek JH, Ruo...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Victoire A, Magin P, Coughlan J, et al. Interventions for infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis (including cradle cap). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;3(3):CD01138...

SEE ALSO

Algorithm: Rash 

CODES

ICD10

  • L21.9 Seborrheic dermatitis, unspecified

  • L21.1 Seborrheic infantile dermatitis

  • L21.0 Seborrhea capitis

  • L21.8 Other seborrheic dermatitis

SNOMED

  • 50563003 Seborrheic dermatitis (disorder)

  • 200776003...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Search for an underlying systemic disease in a patient who is unresponsive to usual therapy.

  • In infants, seborrheic dermatitis is usually self-limited.

  • In adults, seborrheic dermatitis i...

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