Life Line

Treating that recurring rash

At times the skin may actually flake off. It occurs most commonly around the nose, ears, eyebrows and on the scalp and chest.

DEAR READERS,

Dudley from Greenwich Farm, Spanish Town Road, St. Andrew, speaks to Lifeline of his recurring skin rash. He is fair-skinned and often feels embarrassed by scaly, dry skin on his face and chest. His hair is always full of dandruff. He operates heavy equipment and notices that the sunlight and sweat make the rash worse. He asks 'Lifeline' what can he do to rid himself of these rashes and improve how his skin looks.

Dudley seems to be describing seborrheic dermatitis which is a common skin disorder which affects 1% to 3% of otherwise healthy individuals. It is characterised by dry (or greasy) scaly patches of skin. The area may be reddened and/or itchy. At times the skin may actually flake off. It occurs most commonly around the nose, ears, eyebrows and on the scalp and chest. It is sometimes seen in the newborn infant on the scalp and is then called 'cradle cap'.

Seborrheic dermatitis tends to recur over the course of the afflicted person's lifetime and outbreaks can last from weeks up to several years at a time. Scratching the rash causes it to spread and it is made worse by heat and dryness.

Several factors predispose people to develop this skin condition including the presence of the skin fungus, malassezia, in sometimes higher amounts than is usual in people with healthy skin. Treatment depends on the affected site. For seborrhoea of the scalp (scaly scalp) shampoos containing zinc and selenium (such as Selsun Blue shampoo), those containing tar or shampoos like Nizoral or Ketaconazole antifungal shampoo can be used with significant success.

Topical solutions

Topical solutions and ointments which are steroid or antifungal (antiyeast) based can also be used to successfully treat dandruff. Patches of scaly dermatitis to the face and eyebrows are usually treated with steroid creams or ointments for a limited period of time (to prevent thinning of the skin and stretch marks). Topical antifungal creams such as Nizoral skin cream are also successfully used.

Similar prescribed medication is used to treat these rashes when they occur on the chest or elsewhere on the body. A soap substitute is also useful such as oilatum soap and an antihistamine such as Aerius or Claritine can be taken daily to decrease itching of the skin.

Acidophilus supplements are useful in containing the levels of yeast present in the person. Vitamin A deficiency can cause seborrheic dermatatis and Vitamin A supplements are useful to help maintain a healthy skin.

Do not pick or scratch the skin as this makes the rash worse. Avoid all irritating soaps, heat, dryness and sweaty conditions.