Seborrheic Dermatitis severe flare up

Hello,

Please help.

I have always had mild to moderate seborrheic dermatitis on my scalp (which I never really treated) and a mild case around the sides of my nose.

A few months ago I was under a lot of stress (about to graduate from college) and had a pretty bad cold.
Towards the end of my cold, I noticed the redness around my nose increasing until it broke out into a big butterfly rash within 2 days that itched like crazy. Over the next few days it spread down to my neck stopping at the top of my breasts.

Once that initial crazy rash went away, I continued to have horrible itching around my eyes and the crusty patches on my scalp got worse and spread around my hair line and behind my ears.

Now months later, it is back to normal. Just the same mild redness around the nose and some patches on the scalp that I've always had.

This was a one time thing and VERY strange to me and I am still concerned and worried about what would cause an explosive flare up like that?!

Can having a cold or flu cause a severe seborrheic dermatitis outbreak like this?

Can someone please advise? I am very worried because nothing like this has ever happened to me before and I am without health insurance.

Thank you.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it can be due to seborrheic dermatitis or eczema skin. 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. People with seborrheic dermatitis produce too much sebum (the natural skin oil).
Treatment usually involves use of antifungal, anti inflammatory and sebo suppressive or Keratolytic ingredients. Dermatologist also recommends the use of photodynamic therapy which involves the usage of UV- A, UV- B laser and red or blue LED light to inhibit the growth of the yeast and reduces the inflammation.

Adjuvant therapy includes use of dandruff shampoo, an antifungal agent or both are essential during the pulse therapy and should be continued here after as maintenance therapy after each pulse. Anti fungal diet includes the elimination of sugar should reduce seborrhoeic dermatitis. Application of milk of magnesia is also found to be useful in the treatment of seborrhea.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[sonita30]

Thank you very much doctor.

If you see this post, could you please tell me if being sick with cold or flu can cause a flare up of seborrheic dermatitis?

Many thanks!