How to get rid of my seborrheic dermatitis?

In December I woke up with very dry skin all over my forehead and i thought it was just usual dry skin.. but then the skin became very tight and plasticy and very very shiny even straight after i got out the shower. I went to the doctor who gave me fucidin and it didn't work and again was given daktarin, daktacort and nizoral. I then had a mild skin peel which reduced the overall plasticness but i still have lines on my forehead and it is still very shiny skin and scaly all over. Since then I've been told to use 1% hydrocortisone and if I don't use it for one day it flares up and becomes very very dry again. The doctors have told me now that it just might be my skin type but i refuse to believe that. it is constantly shiny even without any type of cream on, very scaly and dry but i don't know what to do i don't want to keep using hydrocortisone if its not improving it? is there anything you can suggest. I did visit a dermatologist and he sent me back saying keep using whatever ur usuing but its been 4 months and no improvement

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes flaky,dry, white to yellowish scales to form on oily areas esp under the nose or anywhere on face. Topical antifungals and mild steroids are the usual treatment and combination of the two can be used to treat stubborn patches. Oral antifungal drugs and immunomodulators such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus are used in very severe cases.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[dpatel75]

Hi,

The thing about my skin is it has never flaked, it is just plasticy. When I wash my face, i see the scales that are all shiny and have a dry texture but this never flakes and when I exfoliate the shinyness increases. The steroid cream has done nothing to help, I was wondering why the skin has this texture and how I could help my skin regain moisture and go back to normal.

Thank you