All inflammatory conditions and skin diseases require special care and attention, and in quite a few cases the help of a doctor is also necessary. That's why we decided to talk to the expert, Dr. Born Pavičić, specifically about the problem of seborrheic dermatitis, which is often mistaken for skin dehydration, while the underlying problem is actually a more serious one. dr. Pavičić is a specialist dermatovenerologist from the Clinic for Dermatology and Venereology KBC Zagreb and director of the dermatology and venereology practice "Dermatologija Pavičić" with many years of experience. In addition to providing detailed information about the causes, symptoms and treatment of seborrheic dermatitis, at the end of the conversation he reveals his favorite Skintegra products.
What are the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis? On which parts of the body can it occur?
Seborrheic dermatitis affects seborrheic areas of the skin (rich in sebaceous glands) - scalp, face, area behind the ears, chest, upper back, armpits, elbows and knee pits, but most often occurs in the scalp and face area.
The symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis can differ depending on the localization, so there are sharply limited red foci on the scalp, covered with whitish-yellowish scales. On the face, it most often appears in the area of the eyebrows, next to the nose and in the nasolabial folds, on the cheeks and on the chin in the form of sharply limited dry red spots with discrete flaking and itching.
What are the triggers of seborrhea? Do any external factors affect the appearance of symptoms?
Seborrhea or excessive secretion of sebum is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and occurs in about 70% of people. In addition to heredity and the hormonal influence of androgens, stress, emotional excitement and nutritional factors (fatty and spicy food, alcohol) also have an important influence . Also, external factors have an influence on the season (summer is usually better for everyone).
Why is seborrhea often mistaken for skin dehydration?
Substitution for dehydration often occurs due to the symptoms of seborrhea in the form of peeling and flaking of the skin with itching, which can be similar to dehydrated skin.
How is seborrheic dermatitis treated in the acute phase?
In the acute phase, seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by redness and small peeling of the skin in predilection places, most often on the face and scalp. In the acute phase, when the inflammatory component is more pronounced, short-term anti-inflammatory therapy can be applied in the form of local corticosteroid preparations or immunomodulators - calcineurin inhibitors. Local antimicrobial creams and imidazole derivatives (ketoconazole) are also often used.
Cosmetic products are the basis of care and a complement to therapy, both in the acute phase and in the phase of remission or maintenance. The key is to use mild topical neutral preparations.
What products are recommended for daily care when the condition is under control? What ingredients should be avoided?
Regular application of products for daily care is necessary continuously, including in the phase of remission, that is, when the condition is under control, in order to continue to maintain it as such and thus reduce the possibility of deterioration. Products with salicylic acid can help with this condition due to the increased scaling of the skin, but also the anti-inflammatory effect that salicylic acid has. It is important to avoid products with greasy bases and aggressive preparations in order not to cause additional irritation of sensitive skin.
When is it necessary to see a doctor and what does a dermatological examination look like?
I recommend an examination as early as possible before symptoms appear in order to react in time and thus prevent a stronger inflammation and to keep the condition under control by recommending adequate care and therapy. The dermatological examination consists of a detailed history, a clinical examination and, if necessary, supplemented by a swab of the facial skin, and at the end, adequate care and therapy are recommended. Given that it is a chronic-recurring disease, regular follow-up is also necessary in order to modify the therapy according to the skin status.
From your experience, what are the most common mistakes when treating skin prone to seborrheic dermatitis?
The most common mistake is the application of inadequate neutral local preparations and greasy bases and aggressive soaps, which often leads to irritation and further worsening of skin changes. In today's digital age, hundreds of information, advertisements and recommendations for various preparations are available, and therefore, choosing the wrong preparations worsens the condition, and unfortunately, patients often come to the examination late, in the stage of severe inflammation, when the treatment process is long and difficult.
Can you tell us your favorite Skintegra product?
Given that one of my narrow areas of work is medical cosmetology, that is, diseases and problems of the skin of the face, my favorite products are from the line for oily skin prone to acne . I like the rounded offer of products for the daily routine when the gel/cleanser and the corresponding cream are used in combination, so my favorites are definitely Amphibian, Clarion and Tria light.
Also, I have to single out a new favorite, which is the CICA-CERA cream.
Today, sensitive, unbalanced and reactive skin is a growing problem in practice; you could say imbalanced skin. CICA-CERA cream with its composition (ceramides and cica complex) has a therapeutic effect, restores the skin barrier, the skin becomes more resistant to inflammation and external factors, and also prevents dryness and irritation.
Therefore, even though the cream is a treatment, it is definitely recommended to be used daily as a preventive care, especially in the mentioned cases of sensitive and reactive skin.