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What Causes Redness On Scalp While Suffering From Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Posted on
Mon, 21 Mar 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 21 Mar 2016
Answered on
Wed, 25 May 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : I suffer with seborrheic dermatitis on my face and scalp. I am concerned about the hair growth on my scalp. I seem to have a line of hairs that is growing in a different direction and there is red skin underneath. Im am worried i have folliculitis decalvans after looking online. I have atached an image for reviee.
Brief Answer:
Not folliculitis decalvans
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr.kakkar (dermatologist). I have gone through your query and I have also reviewed the image.
I can see erythema of scalp. You difinitely seem to have seborrheic dermatitis.
The line of hair growing in different direction is absolutely a normal thing and is part of natural whorl of hair that forms at the vertex of scalp.
Folliculitis decalvans is a deeper form of folliculitis which is also associated with a cicatricial/ scarring alopecia whereas I don't see any folliculitis or scarring in this image. I don't think you have folliculitis decalvans. You just have plain seborrheic dermatitis which is characterized by erythema and scaling of scalp.
Regards
Not folliculitis decalvans
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr.kakkar (dermatologist). I have gone through your query and I have also reviewed the image.
I can see erythema of scalp. You difinitely seem to have seborrheic dermatitis.
The line of hair growing in different direction is absolutely a normal thing and is part of natural whorl of hair that forms at the vertex of scalp.
Folliculitis decalvans is a deeper form of folliculitis which is also associated with a cicatricial/ scarring alopecia whereas I don't see any folliculitis or scarring in this image. I don't think you have folliculitis decalvans. You just have plain seborrheic dermatitis which is characterized by erythema and scaling of scalp.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I have attached another picture for review. I don't understand why the redness is in line with the pattern of hair growth? What can i do to redice the redness?
Brief Answer:
Ketoconazole shampoo and topical steroid preparation
Detailed Answer:
Hi. Thank you. I have reviewed the image.
This is part of seborrheic dermatitis. Redness is more along this patch but I can see that there is diffuse redness elsewhere as well.
I suggest you to use a ketoconazole based shampoo e.g Nizral shampoo, every alternate days. In addition I suggest you to use a topical steroid cream or lotion e.g triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% cream or mometasone furoate 0.1% lotion, once daily at night, on scalp skin, for 2 weeks. Topical steroids are antiinflammatory and vasocontrictive in action and would reduce redness and scaling of seborrheic dermatitis.
Regards
Ketoconazole shampoo and topical steroid preparation
Detailed Answer:
Hi. Thank you. I have reviewed the image.
This is part of seborrheic dermatitis. Redness is more along this patch but I can see that there is diffuse redness elsewhere as well.
I suggest you to use a ketoconazole based shampoo e.g Nizral shampoo, every alternate days. In addition I suggest you to use a topical steroid cream or lotion e.g triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% cream or mometasone furoate 0.1% lotion, once daily at night, on scalp skin, for 2 weeks. Topical steroids are antiinflammatory and vasocontrictive in action and would reduce redness and scaling of seborrheic dermatitis.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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