“Seborrheic dermatitis in infants or children is an inflammatory disease of the skin, characterized by lesions in reddish plaques covered with white or yellowish-looking greasy scales. It usually appears in the first 3 months of life and manifests itself in up to 70% of infants, which explains why it is a very frequent reason for consultation “, says Dr. Patricia Giglio, a dermatologist at our clinic.

What areas can it affect?

Areas that are rich in sebaceous glands such as the scalp, face, ears, eyebrows, chest and flexures (nasolabial, retroauricular, axillary, inguinal creases, etc.)

What are the signs of seborrheic dermatitis?

Usually there are no symptoms such as discharge, pain, or itching. In infants, it usually manifests as greasy-looking whitish or yellowish scales on the scalp (called “cradle cap”). Later, it can appear in the diaper area, being observed as reddish plaques that can be confluent, compromising the folds and with less flaking. It can also affect other body folds.

How to treat it?

Experts generally recommend:

• Daily cleansing with neutral shampoo, gentle brushing due to its mechanical effect, and lubrication of the skin and scalp with topical emollients (mineral oils, petroleum jelly) to soften and facilitate the removal of scales, especially in the cradle cap that usually occurs. be thicker than the rest of the lesions
• In infants, mild keratolytic substances can also be used that reduce the thickness of the superficial layer of the skin and increase the elimination of scales, such as lactic acid or urea.

What care should parents have during the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis?

Since this condition has a self-limited course, the recommended management is conservative. The first measure should always be to educate parents or caregivers about the benign characteristics of this condition, mainly aesthetic, in the context of a healthy infant. Its prognosis is excellent since it usually disappears in weeks or months.

Dr. Patricia Giglio
Dermatologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma