A term “seborrhea” is familiar to a few people. While one of the three people in the world suffer from this chronic illness. It is mostly attributed to the scalp and similized with dandruff. But it affects also the face, back, chest that is the parts of the body where sebaceous glands are especially active. And in this case seborrheic dermatitis is usually mentioned. In Latin seborrhea means “sebaceous excretion” that is pathological skin condition attributed to increased, or, on the contrary, insufficient sebum secretion. The illness usually starts in adolescence, is related to hormonal sphere and metabolism and it typically affects men, children and teenagers. What should do the ones who have noticed the seborrhea signs?
Types and causes of seborrhea
As well as dandruff, seborrhea can be:
- oily;
- dry.
With oily seborrhea the skin looks shiny, often dirty, because it quickly gets dusty and pick up dirt. The pores are enlarged, clogged, when pressed, they secret white thin threads of sebaceous “plugs”. Scab can appear on the skin.
Dry seborrhea appears because insufficient amount of sebum is secreted to smear and nourish the skin. As a result it peels, goes dry and becomes sensitive, is itching. Without the proper treatment and care seborrhea can cause various diseases, for example, eczema, seborrheic inflammation; blackheads and dandruff can appear; hair can start falling out.
There is a mixed form of seborrhea with the dry scalp and oily facial skin and back.
Seborrhea can be triggered by various factors, such as:
- stress;
- endocrine disorders;
- vegetative dystonia;
- metabolism problems;
- digestive system diseases;
- dysbiosis.
Highly allergic individuals as well as the people, whose ancestors suffered from inflammatory illnesses of the skin, are in risk group. But seborrhea is typically considered to be a virulent disease that is caused by Malassezia yeast. It is the fact that explains hygiene rules, prevention, treatment and skin care to a large extend.
Recommendations and care
Effective methods of seborrhea treatment include sea bathing, baths with herbs and special preparations, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial ointments, balanced healthy diet. The ones, prone to this unpleasant disease, itching, have sensitive skin, suffer from skin redness, have to pay attention to skin cleansing, nutrition and moisturizing.
Cleansing
The skin affected by oily seborrhea is to be thoroughly cleansed. Toners and gels with lactic acid, extracts of algae, knotweed, rose water, soap based on natural oils of chamomile, sea buckthorn, sage, calendula are to be used for this purpose. The skin proprietors prone to dry seborrhea, on the contrary, are to use tender, sparing, non-alcoholic cosmetic products, for example, facial cleansing milk with cucumber, witch hazel, bergamot, yarrow, marshmallow extracts. They don’t contract the skin, don’t make it dry, but cleanse it gently and refresh it.
Nourishing and moisturizing
It is possible to relieve inflammation and irritation by moisturizing products, that is creams on the basis of jojoba, seabuckthorn and castor oils as well as gels and healing balms with aloe leaf juice. These high quality cosmetics promote retaining moisture in the skin, making it smooth and elastic, restoring cracked, inflamed skin, eliminating peeling and irritation, protecting it from harmful impact of ultraviolet light.
In order to release the skin from keratinous layer (furfur) that inhibits on the skin cover, being evident aesthetic defect, you can use enzymatic or/and acid peeling 1-2 times a week. While masks on the basis of clay with algae and herb extracts will help to balance sebaceous secretion and improve immune protection of the skin. They adsorb surpluses of sebum, have calming effect, and restore mineral balance.
Effective methods of seborrhea treatment have to include doctor’s advices, taking the prescribed medicines. But multiple problems and skin imperfections can be eliminated using contemporary natural cosmetic products. By regular application they will help skin to remain clear, smooth, beautiful and young, prevent seborrhea appearance and development.
