Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that predominantly affects the scalp, damages the hair follicles, and hinders hair growth. While seborrheic dermatitis doesnt cause hair loss directly, excessive scratching can injure hair follicles, resulting in some hair loss. The extra sebum associated with seborrheic dermatitis can also trigger an overgrowth of Malassezia, a type of yeast thats naturally found on most peoples skin. When it grows out of control, it can cause inflammation that makes it harder for hair to grow nearby. In very rare cases, inflammation may also affect the hair follicles and cause temporary hair loss. However, hair loss is not common in seborrheic dermatitis, and it is usually temporary and reversible.
Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis include scaly skin, flaking skin, greasy patches of skin on the head, dandruff, itchy scalp, rash on the scalp, redness on the skin, inflammation on the skin, thinning hair, and hair loss. To effectively treat the unpleasant symptoms of this skin condition, the condition itself has to be treated. Treating hair loss, hair thinning, and flaking skin without treating the source of these symptoms (the fungal infection) can exacerbate this condition and make the symptoms worse.
To treat seborrheic dermatitis, there are many ways to try, and some people find that a combination of treatments work best. Over-the-counter (OTC) remedies are usually the first line of treatment, and if these dont work, prescription treatment may be necessary. For mild cases of seborrheic dermatitis, medicated shampoo may be enough, but for more severe cases, prescription treatment may be required. Hair loss from seborrheic dermatitis isnt permanent, and the hair lost should grow back once the inflammation is under control, and the scalp is no longer being scratched or rubbed.
In summary, seborrheic dermatitis can cause hair loss indirectly by excessive scratching, inflammation, and overgrowth of Malassezia. However, hair loss is not common in seborrheic dermatitis, and it is usually temporary and reversible. To treat seborrheic dermatitis, the condition itself has to be treated, and a combination of OTC remedies and prescription treatment may be necessary. Hair loss from seborrheic dermatitis isnt permanent, and the hair lost should grow back once the inflammation is under control, and the scalp is no longer being scratched or rubbed.
