Seborrheic dermatitis on the face: causes, signs and treatment methods

Seborrheic dermatitis on the face photo

Photo 1. Seborrheic dermatitis on the face of an adult

Photo 2. Seborrheic dermatitis on the face of an adult

Photo 3. Seborrheic dermatitis

Photo 4. Seborrheic dermatitis on a child’s face

What do herpetic rashes in the nose look like?

In the nose, the pathology looks slightly different than when localized on the tip of the nose, on the lips or genitals.

With exacerbation, a rash resembling abscesses appears.

Small, watery blisters filled with transparent contents appear on the nasal mucosa, around which the mucous membrane becomes red.

After some time, the rashes thicken and burst.

In their place, very painful ulcers form.

When the blisters rupture, they release viruses that can spread to the lips and areas around the nose.

Therefore, during this period, it is imperative to use antiviral gels and other drugs prescribed by a doctor for treatment.

Causes of seborrheic dermatitis on the face

The main cause of seborrheic dermatitis is the increased functioning of the sebaceous glands and a change in the composition of the fat they produce. A similar situation develops when the Malassezia fungus multiplies excessively (normally it is part of the skin microflora). In this case, it penetrates the sebaceous glands and produces a special secretion that forces subcutaneous fat to break down, forming fatty acids that irritate the skin and contribute to the occurrence of rashes.

Dermatitis affects men more often than women, which is explained by the action of androgen, a male hormone. This hormone stimulates the synthesis of subcutaneous sebum. In women, the disease usually manifests itself when estrogen levels decrease and androgen concentrations increase.

Seborrheic dermatitis on the forehead is especially often diagnosed in people whose close relatives have a similar problem, which is associated with a hereditary predisposition.

Other factors can also provoke the development of the disease:

• hormonal imbalances;
• disruption of the endocrine system (especially the thyroid gland);
• weakened immunity;
• hypovitaminosis;
• unfavorable environmental situation;
• improper facial skin care;
• excessive sweating;
• poor nutrition;
• lack of sleep;
• uncontrolled use of medications, especially hormonal ones;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• presence of infection in the body;
• dysfunction of the nervous system, manifested in the form of epilepsy or schizophrenia;
• diabetes;
• pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
• frequent stressful situations;
• overwork;
• malignant tumors in the adrenal glands or genitals.

Symptoms of herpes in the nose

Depending on how long you have been infected, certain symptoms will appear.

The consequences of primary infection have more pronounced symptoms.

The symptoms of relapses depend on the state of the immune system.

In some patients, an exacerbation of the process may occur in the form of mild itching and slight redness of the skin and mucous membranes.

Signs of relapse are characterized by:

• hyperemia of the skin and nasal mucosa
• swelling
• presence of tingling and itching in the affected area
• runny nose

If the infection is primary and the immune system is weakened, then the period of exacerbation is accompanied by:

• presence of headache
• temperature rise
• presence of pain in the affected area
• enlarged nearby lymph nodes may be noted
• malaise and weakness

If such symptoms appear, doctors recommend applying antiviral drugs to problem areas.

If this is not done, then in a couple of days herpetic rashes will begin to appear.

During this period, the symptoms of intoxication of the body begin to manifest themselves more acutely.

When a rash occurs, the manifestation of a runny nose intensifies.

The vesicles mature over several days and ulcers remain in their place.

The liquid that flows from the bubbles contains high concentrations of pathogens, and therefore poses a danger to people with whom the patient comes into contact.

Therefore, the affected areas should be treated several times during the day to prevent the spread of infection not only to nearby tissues, but also to others.

Healing of ulcers on the mucous membrane occurs faster than on the skin.

It will take up to three days for the affected tissue to recover.

To exclude the possibility of complications of herpes and the addition of a secondary infection, it is recommended to carry out therapy until the symptoms completely disappear.

If you stop treatment before the relapse ends, then the formation of purulent wounds inside the nose is possible.

Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis on the face

With seborrheic dermatitis on the face, symptoms appear:

• the appearance of pink, red or burgundy spots on the skin;
• the formation of white or yellowish scales and hemorrhagic crusts;
• peeling of the skin;
• irritation and increased sensitivity of the skin;
• itching and burning of varying intensity.

The course of the disease worsens in the autumn. In summer, unpleasant symptoms usually disappear.

If the ducts of the sebaceous glands become clogged, acne appears.

The disease is especially severe in men who grow beards and mustaches. Large plaques form under the hairline, which eventually transform into papules. If an infection occurs, then erythroderma is also detected. When papules coalesce, swollen areas colored red form.

The symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis are similar to those of other dermatological diseases. Therefore, only a doctor can make a correct diagnosis after a thorough examination of the patient.

2. Reasons

Erysipelas is a bacterial infection, the causative agent of which is almost always group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. This tendency, however, is not absolute: a similar inflammation can be caused by staphylococcus, especially in cases of a long-term chronically recurrent process, as well as other pathogens. In general, we have to take into account the fact that in recent decades in the clinic of infectious diseases, incl. skin, there is a steady tendency towards an increase in combined invasions (for example, bacterial and fungal), developing according to the mechanism of super- or coinfection.

The main risk factor is microtraumatization of the skin of the nose in combination with weakened local immunity and non-compliance with sanitary and hygienic rules.

The risk increases in the presence of foci of chronic coccal infection in adjacent tissues and organs (otitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, and many others). One of the widespread causes of erysipelas is the practice of self-squeezing out elements of acne and/or pustular (pustular) rash in unsterile or frankly unsanitary conditions. In some cases, nasal erysipelas is iatrogenic in nature, i.e. the launch of the pathological process is caused by medical procedures or surgical intervention on the ENT organs.

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How to treat seborrheic dermatitis on the face?

If symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis appear on the face, treatment should be carried out by a specialist. Self-medication can only worsen the condition.

The dermatologist will examine the patient’s skin and refer it for laboratory testing. If necessary, he will advise you to consult a neurologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, andrologist or gynecologist. Based on the diagnostic results, the doctor will select the optimal treatment, which should be comprehensive. First, the dermatologist prescribes weak drugs. If they do not produce the desired result, then he moves on to potent ones.

To effectively cope with the disease, it is imperative to identify and eliminate the cause of the disease. If dermatological problems are caused by disturbances in the digestive system, the patient is referred to a gastroenterologist. After the examination, he will prescribe suitable medications, most often enzymes, sorbents and choleretic agents. Enzymes and choleretic drugs will restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and sorbents will remove toxic substances from the body.

Typically, treatment for nasal dermatitis includes:

• compliance with the diet prescribed by a specialist;
• drug therapy;
• physiotherapy;
• maintaining personal hygiene using gentle products.

Drug therapy involves taking:

• antihistamines - relieve itching;
• probiotics – restore intestinal microflora and normalize the functioning of the digestive tract;
• vitamin complexes – strengthen the immune system and increase the body’s resistance.

In addition to medications intended for oral use, external agents that have a moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and antifungal effect are recommended.

Both glucocorticosteroid hormonal ointments and non-hormonal drugs can be used. But you need to know that glucocorticosteroids, although they have an effective effect (relieve inflammation, swelling and redness), but they are addictive and, with prolonged use, provoke side effects (vasodilatation, the formation of rosacea and telangiectasia, the development of erythema).

Therefore, it is better to give preference to non-hormonal drugs, among which the products of the “Losterin” series (cream, ointment, gel, shampoo) have shown particular effectiveness. They are characterized by a neutral composition, do not contain hormones, do not irritate the skin and are not addictive. The drugs included in the “Losterin” line can be used not only by adults, but also by newborn babies. They are recommended for daily use both during remission and during acute inflammation. Active substances (naphthalan, salicylic acid, natural oils, medicinal plant extracts) are included in the composition of “Losterin” products in optimal proportions, which determines the most effective therapeutic effect. Even if seborrheic dermatitis has passed, Losterin should continue to be used to prevent a relapse.

Physiotherapeutic procedures can effectively complement drug treatment. Small doses of ultraviolet light will ease the course of the disease, restore the functioning of the sebaceous glands, and relieve redness, swelling and itching.

3. Symptoms and diagnosis

As shown above, typical manifestations of erysipelas of the nose include erythema and inflammatory swelling of the soft tissues, clearly demarcated by a roller from healthy skin. The swelling can be so severe that the patient’s face becomes deformed and changes beyond recognition. Blisters filled with mucopurulent exudate (bullous form of erysipelas) are often observed.

As a rule, the general symptoms of infectious intoxication are pronounced: malaise, fever, hyperthermia (up to 40° and above), headache, weakness, soreness and swelling of the nearest lymph nodes. After a few days, body temperature may drop just as sharply.

It should be noted that in the absence of timely adequate therapy, erysipelas tends to expand to neighboring areas (skin of the face, neck, chest, ear, etc.); with the involvement of the mucous membranes and submucosal layers of the pharyngeal structures, the development of such serious complications as abscess formation, phlegmon, sepsis, and intracranial inflammation is possible.

The clinical picture of erysipelas is quite specific and usually does not create any difficulties in diagnosis. Examination of the ENT organs reveals hyperemia of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity. Laboratory diagnostic methods are used to identify the pathogen(s) and assess drug sensitivity. In more complex cases, they resort to instrumental imaging diagnostics (endoscopy, ultrasound, etc.).

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Prevention of seborrheic dermatitis on the face

To prevent dermatitis on the forehead from causing a relapse, it is recommended to follow several rules:

• strengthen the immune system;
• cleanse the body of waste and toxins;
• exclude from the diet salty and spicy foods, fatty and smoked foods, marinades, spices and condiments, sweets, chips and crackers, products containing preservatives, flavor enhancers and dyes;
• introduce fermented milk products into the menu, which include lacto- and bifidobacteria, animal proteins, bran, buckwheat, oatmeal;
• cook food with vegetable oil;
• restore the functioning of the digestive system.

Stages of herpes development

If the immune system is able to cope with the virus, then the healing stage proceeds faster than usual.

If the immune system is weakened, complications may develop in the form of the formation of ulcers, and if left untreated, the infection can penetrate the tissues of the organ of vision and brain.

In a child, compared to an adult, the clinical manifestations are more pronounced.

Types of crusts

The color and nature of the crusts will help you understand the cause of your dry nose. There are white, yellow-green and bloody crusts.

If white crusts form in the nose, this is not a reason to panic. White color indicates the absence of infection or inflammatory process. They appear in infants, in adults after operations on the nasal septum, after rhinoplasty. Treatment of white crusts is not required. It's easy enough to remove them.

It is necessary to have your nose treated by an ENT doctor if you find yellow-green crusts. This color indicates the presence of an infection. It is not enough to cure crusts in the nose; you need to properly treat the underlying disease.

Dry crusts with blood in adults occur due to the fact that the mucous membrane is penetrated by a network of blood vessels. For some reason, they become injured, and the blood dries on the mucous membrane. Bloody crusts are not normal. It is imperative to understand and look for the causes of crusts with blood. Dry blood crust should not be picked off, as the wound can become infected. After an examination by an ENT doctor, the doctor will prescribe an effective ointment for blood crusts, allowing you to remove them safely.

Herpes in the nose: features of therapy

Drug treatment of herpetic rashes in the nose involves the prescription of systemic and local drugs.

Depending on the severity of symptoms, treatment can be carried out comprehensively or medications can be prescribed separately.

At the initial stage of development of the pathological process, when only precursors are present, local therapy with Zovirax, Levomekol, and Acyclovir is carried out at home.

Fenistil Pencivir cream can also be used.

The drug Erazaban prevents the development of complications.

Panavir deserves special attention; it helps cope with advanced forms of herpes, relieves pain, has an anti-inflammatory effect, and also helps increase local immunity.

Regardless of the location of the process: at the tip of the nose, in the cavity or near it, the affected areas require treatment.

Timely application of ointments to the affected areas can reduce the spread of infection to the areas surrounding the nose.

They are recommended to be applied in a thin layer to clean skin every 4 hours.

According to doctors, the effectiveness of therapy will be maximum if the affected area is treated in the first two days.

During the treatment process, you should try to touch the rashes with your hands as little as possible and under no circumstances squeeze them out.

Treatment should be carried out very carefully with a disposable cotton swab, after which it must be disposed of.

As soon as a blistering rash appears, the doctor should prescribe complex therapy.

The treatment regimen is supplemented by taking tablets with antiviral effects.

These include Famvir, Valacyclovir, Acyclovir, Valtrex.

Medicines with antiviral effects are not prescribed to be taken orally by children, during pregnancy, or by women during lactation.

Based on the test results, the doctor will determine what types of virus have been identified, calculate the required dosage of the medicine, and also tell you how long to take the pills and what to apply to the resulting ulcers.

Typically, zinc or tetracycline ointment is used to treat ulcers.

Their use will prevent re-infection and spread of infection to nearby areas of the face.

If complications arise and the disease is accompanied by an increase in body temperature and symptoms of intoxication in the patient’s body, then the oral medication regimen is supplemented with Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.

To improve the functioning of the immune system, drugs to strengthen the immune system are prescribed.

In order to accelerate tissue regeneration and prevent the spread of infection, antiseptics are used.

They treat wounds and areas of skin and mucous membranes around the affected areas.

In order to make the body’s recovery process more effective, the following are prescribed:

● Amiksin . The drug helps increase the body's resistance to viruses;

● Polyoxidonium has a stimulating effect on the immune system, which allows the body to effectively cope with infection;

● Neovir . Takes part in the synthesis of interferons aimed at fighting pathogens.

All these measures will be effective and will prevent relapses only if the patient observes the requirements of personal hygiene.

That is, use only personal items when in contact with your face (use only your towel), etc.

As a rule, to assess the effectiveness of drugs, tests must be taken before and after the course of treatment.

Diagnosis of herpes

Even if the patient has characteristic signs of infection, additional studies will be required to confirm the diagnosis of HSV.

The statement becomes possible based on:

✔ Cytological examination of biomaterial. For analysis, swabs are taken from the affected areas.

✔ PCR allows you to detect the genetic material of the virus in the test sample (saliva, blood).

✔ ELISA allows you to detect Ig to the herpes simplex virus in the blood, as well as determine the duration of the disease.

Blood tests can identify herpes from other infections with similar symptoms.

How is herpes treated in children and women during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes hormonal imbalance, resulting in decreased immunity.

Therefore, in this state, their body is susceptible to viral infection.

Most medications - antiviral drugs are no exception - have a toxic effect.

So their use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is extremely undesirable.

In this regard, the most rational option would be to use folk remedies, but only with the permission of the attending physician.

Treatment for herpes infection in children is similar to treatment for adults.

Ointments are used as local therapy, and Viferon and Acyclovir are used for systemic treatment.

Another feature of the treatment of pathology in childhood is the presence of age restrictions.

In most cases, the use of systemic agents is contraindicated for children under 12 years of age.

According to experts, the child’s body must overcome the virus itself so that it can easily withstand exacerbations in the future.

With immunodeficiency, the body will not be able to fight the infection, and the progression of the disease will provoke complications.

Therefore, the prescription of antiviral therapy in this situation will be justified.