Chronic Inflammatory Skin Conditions

Winter is here! With the air is cold and dry, chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and scalp-psoriasis are more likely to flare up during this time of year. As you may have guessed by the name, these common skin diseases result in the skin being inflamed and flakey, making the skin feel sore and itchy. Each of these scalp conditions are very common and very uncomfortable during flare-ups. Let's get a better understanding of these conditions, and the best ways to treat them. 

First up is Dandruff, a skin condition that results in dry skin becoming small flaky pieces  that come off of the scalp, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.  This condition can be caused by a medical condition (Parkinson's disease, Mayo Clinic),  dry or oily scalp, sensitivity to hair care products,  or bad hair habits. Dandruff is considered a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association says Seborrheic Dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes a scaly rash on oily areas of the body like the scalp, around or inside the ears, facial areas like the eyebrows and nose, and skin folds like the chest area. The rash can appear on the skin in many different ways, and can sometimes look like another skin condition, like dandruff or psoriasis. The cause of this skin disease is unknown, however,  oily skin and yeast, that lives on the skin, are common factors. Yeast is a fungus, and dermatologist believe that this living yeast feeds on the skin's naturally produced oil, sebum, then grows and causes the skin to have a reaction. 

Who is affected by this disease? Anyone can develop seborrheic dermatitis, however, men are more likely than women to develop this skin condition, worldwide. In the United States, Black people are the most common ethnic group to develop this condition. Amongst age groups, infants, adolescence, and adults in their 30's and older develop seborrheic dermatitis. For infants, this condition is known as cradle cap. American Academy of Dermatology Association

Lastly, Scalp Psoriasis is another common skin disease that causes irritation, patchy scales, and discoloration on the scalp and/or surrounding areas. “It may look different on different skin tones. If you’re light- to medium-skinned, it often shows up as raised, reddish, or salmon-colored patches with white scales. On darker skin, the patches may be purple and the scales gray,” says AAD. Other symptoms included dry scalp, itching, bleeding, or temporary hair loss. Psoriasis can be a result of one's immune system is not functioning properly. which causes the over growth of cells, causing scales. 

So, how do we treat these irritating skin diseases? AAD, Mayo Clinic, and WebMD all agree that having a regular cleansing routine for your scalp is the first place to start. A clean scalp means less itching and pain from flare ups. For mild cases, over the counter dandruff shampoos containing zinc, salicylic acid or coal tar. More severe cases call for medicated shampoos, like ketoconazole, scale softeners, and/or corticosteroids prescribed by your dermatologist. 

Although there are no direct links between specific foods that cause these inflammatory skin diseases (VA.gov), we must remember that the scalp is skin, and everything we take into our bodies affects every part of our bodies, including the skin (scalp). The key word that links these common scalp disorders is "inflammatory." Knowing this, you might consider reducing or completely eliminating inflammatory foods from your diet. 

VA.gov says to "reduce intakes of refined carbohydrates, avoid foods that promote yeast growth such as bread, milk, cheese, wine or beer, and consider adding biotin, an omega-3 supplement, and/or a good quality multi-vitamin." Hopkins Medical goes on to add foods high in saturated and trans fats like red meat, and foods high in added sugar like candy and sodas. Consider eating more whole fruits and vegetables, especially those with anti-inflammatory properties like berries, leafy greens, and even dark chocolate. A change in diet may not cure you of the disease, however, it can make living with them less irritating and painful. 

 

Works Cited:

Seborrheic Dermatitis: Overview. www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/seborrheic-dermatitis-overview.

Scalp Psoriasis: Shampoos, Scale Softeners, and Other Treatments. www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/treatment/genitals/scalp-shampoo.

“Scalp Psoriasis.” WebMD, 17 Dec. 2024, www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/scalp-psoriasis.

How to Treat Dandruff. www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/scalp/treat-dandruff.

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs. www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/seborrheic-dermatitis.asp#:~:text=Take%20an%20anti%2Dinflammatory%20dietary,different%20approaches%20for%20stress%20management.

“Psoriasis Diet: Foods to Eat and Avoid if You Have Psoriasis.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 4 Jan. 2022, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/psoriasis-diet-foods-to-eat-and-avoid-if-you-have-psoriasis.