Seborrheic Dermatitis vs. Atopic Dermatitis
When the skin is itchy, there is desperation to scratch. Scratching damages the skin even more and makes it itchier; this is the vicious cycle of dermatitis. Depending on the type of dermatitis you have, causes vary.
Seborrheic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis are types of dermatitis; they may have interchangeable symptoms, but we are here to bust all of your confusion. There's no real significant difference between the two skin conditions. In fact, it's possible to have both seborrheic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis at the same time. Dermatitis is an umbrella term used to describe a wide range of specific skin health concerns that involve flaky, irritated, inflamed or itchy skin.
What is seborrheic dermatitis?
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin disorder that causes flaky scales with an itchy rash. It might look similar to eczema, psoriasis, or an allergic reaction. It usually happens on the scalp, but you can get it anywhere on your body. Babies of 3 months or younger often get cradle caps, which is brown or crusty, with yellow scales on their scalp. It usually goes away before they are a year old, although seborrheic dermatitis can come back when they reach puberty.
Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis
In infants, seborrheic dermatitis mostly occurs on the scalp, leading to dandruff-like flakes. An infant may also have seborrheic dermatitis symptoms on its bottom, which can be mistaken for a diaper rash. In adults, symptoms can differ from person to person and they may include:
- Skin redness, swelling or inflammation
- Greasy scales of skin that may exfoliate or develop into thick patches
- Rash or itchiness in the affected area
Causes of seborrheic dermatitis
Some factors make individuals more likely to develop a seborrheic dermatitis condition, which includes:
- Family history: Individuals who have a family history of seborrheic dermatitis or have had cradle cap
- Inflammatory response: A specific type of yeast on the skin may cause an immune system reaction and skin inflammation
- Medical diagnoses: Psoriasis, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, and recovery from a heart attack or a stroke, may all increase the risk of developing seborrheic dermatitis
Besides these risk factors, certain environmental triggers may lead to a flare-up of this skin condition, including stress, change in weather, hormonal changes, and exposure to chemicals.
What is atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema, a skin condition that makes the skin itchy and leaves red patches usually on the legs, arms and face. The rashes flare and go away but they can come back again.
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis
While atopic dermatitis can develop on any part of the body, symptoms more often affect the face, hands, elbows, knees, and feet. People can have a range of symptoms that vary between individuals. The common symptoms of atopic dermatitis include:
- Itchy skin
- Painful or irritated skin
- Rashes that may ooze or weep fluid
- Dry, flaky or cracked skin
- Discolored or reddened skin
- Thick or hardened skin patches called plaques
Causes of atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis can be triggered by perfume in skincare, irritating fabrics, chemicals, foods, hygiene products, and weather changes; some characteristics put people at higher risk for atopic dermatitis, including:
- Having severe allergies or hay fever
- Having asthma
- Having a family history of allergies, hay fever, or asthma
- Being exposed to dust mites or other irritants
Seborrheic dermatitis vs. atopic dermatitis
|
|
Seborrheic Dermatitis |
Atopic Dermatitis |
|
Age of onset |
0-6 months |
Usually after 3 months |
|
Distribution |
Scalp, face, neck, ears, diaper areas |
Face, extremities, and diaper areas |
|
Lesions |
Skin redness, swelling, greasy-yellow fluid; crusty yellow or brown scales on the scalp |
Salmon-pink patches with white scales, post-inflammatory pigmentation |
|
Functioning |
None |
Sleep impairment reduced ability at school/work |
|
Triggers
|
Stress, genes, dry weather, immune system response, dry skin |
Heat, sweat, stress, dry weather |
|
Responsiveness |
Responds to treatment |
Responds to treatment but frequently relapses |
Also read: https://www.drbatras.com/skin-treatment-at-dr-batras
Homeopathic treatment for atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis
Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. The homeopathic medicines are selected after a case analysis, which includes the physical and mental constitution, medical history of the patient, family history, presenting symptoms, likely causative factors, etc. This helps address the physical as well as the psychological factors associated with the condition.
A study of 118 atopic dermatitis patients published in the Complementary Therapies in Medicine Journal reported that homeopathy was as effective as conventional treatments in the short term. And homeopathy was more effective than conventional treatments in the longer term.
At Dr Batra's®, our doctors first understand the medical history of the patient, examine the distinctive dermatitis symptoms and causes to provide the best suitable skin treatment. Dr Batra's® has introduced India first 3D imaging device for the evaluation and analysis of skin health. As authenticated by The American Quality Assessors, our positive treatment outcome rate is 94.3% in treating skin conditions, including dermatitis. Book an appointmentwith Dr Batra's ® to get a customized treatment plan for your skin condition.
