Seborrhoeic eczema

As seborrhoeic eczema can easily be mistaken for a number of other skin diseases (e.g. for psoriasis or fungal infections with adults and neurodermatitis with infants), you should first consult a dermatologist for a reliable diagnosis. The latter can normally already make the diagnosis based on the appearance of the skin and the previous history of the illness (anamnesis) and recommend effective treatment. Only in very uncertain cases will the dermatologist remove a sample of skin (biopsy) or carry out other laboratory tests.

Chronic seborrhoeic eczema cannot be cured but it normally responds well to an anti-inflammatory and/or anti-microbial therapy. The goal of the treatment is to control the disease in the long term if possible and to prevent it flaring up again. Normally, external treatment is sufficient. The treatment of infants and adults is different. The doctor decides on the type and duration of the therapy and a possible long-term 'maintenance therapy'.

With adults, very stubborn scaly skin is treated with substances such as salicylic acid that remove scaly skin. This should not be used on children. Scaly skin or crusts in the area of a head of hair are softened here e.g. with olive oil.

Corticoids (derivatives of cortisone) are prescribed against the inflammation and the itching. There are now also shampoos that contain these ingredients. So-called anti-mycotics are also effective against the yeasts that probably play a role in the development of the disease.

In severe cases, anti-mycotics or corticosteroids are also prescribed internally. These are countered with antibiotics for a secondary skin infection with bacteria.