Seborrheic dermatitis

[ventor3000]

I have an eczema like skin condition around my nose and in my eyebrows. I've had this condition for severel years, sometimes worse, sometimes better. Before, i thought it was rosacea, but when I accidently discovered it was improved by dandruff shampos containing ketoconazole, I realized it's probably something like 'seborrheic dermatitis'. Investigating this condition, however, was not easy since it seems noone really knows what causes it. Basically it's overgrowth of a specific bacteria in the sebum rich areas of the face it seems. Some people seem to be helped by stopping milk consumption, but that did not do it for me. Things that i've notced that worsens the condition in my case is: coffee, nicotine, stress and cold weather (Sweden brrrr...). I've recently 'restarted' the wai way of eating, because when I did last time, I was _almost_ clear. I did not use much nicotine at the time, so this could also be a partial reason. Are there any experiences from facial eczema on this forum? What did help? What did trigger it?

[RRM]

Welcome Ventor,

I have an eczema like skin condition around my nose and in my eyebrows.

Could you illustrate on a drawing of the face (or similar), to what area exactly your skin condition is confined to?

[ventor3000]

It looks something like this around the nose: http://www.dermnet.com/images/Seborrhei ... cture/7343 , also I have it in the bottom of the hairs of the eyebrows (cant say if the guy on the picture have it). It also usually comes with dandruffs all over the scalp.

[RRM]

You may try applying Vaseline.
You need to apply it very consistently, keeping the affected skin covered in Vaseline constantly.
Please try that for 2 weeks and report back to us.

[ventor3000]

Ok. I've used vaseline each morning the last two years. Only a thin layer all over the face. I will try to use it more agressivly on the inflamed areas for two weeks and let's see what happens. Unfortunately (??) the condition is not very bad at the moment, but I think I will see a difference if it helps.

[RRM]

Yes, if it helps, you will definitely see the difference.

[Mr. PC]

Hello. I believe I have the same thing. The Wai diet helped me in this regard also, but not completely.

The leading theory is that Seb Derm is caused by the Malassezia yeast. It eats Oleic Acid (found in all oils, including your natural skin oil). I believe Vaseline helps because it reduces oil production and therefor the yeast has less to feed on. Some other things you can do (I'm not an expert, but I think I'm right on most things)

Don't use any kind of oil on your face or hair.
Try washing your face with sea salt-water / minerals (I've read this but haven't yet tried it).
Use zinc-oxide, and zinc pyrithione on your face. (It's possible to buy pure zinc oxide powder, and mix it with something, like honey).

Try taking these supplements (I will link ideal forms. If you're interested in theory I'll write why I believe they're ideal).

Zinc (picolinate or any other chelated zinc). http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035B ... HVHVVQY3O6

Glucosamine http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013O ... LCMHMARNJL )

Magnesium (I'm not really sure yet which forms are good.)

Probiotic (I think this is the most important component, and here is my list of what I think are the top 3
https://www.master-supplements.com/ther ... fault.aspx
https://labdoor.com/review/renew-life-u ... tical-care
https://labdoor.com/review/now-foods-probiotic-10
Basically choose high CFU count, and at least 4 strains, but careful not to take something with tons of strains (like 20) as they're most diluted in that case an ineffective. Make sure there are numbers listed after the strain; this tells you they're a specific pedigree that's able to get through your stomach acid. Theralac has some really cool tech that you can read about on their website. Again, I'm taking none of these because I live in Turkey, and so am limited to the GNC brand (which isn't too bad). Build up slowly, start with 25cfu a day, then build up to 50, 75, maybe 100.

The theory behind this is that the Malassezia yeast is able to survive in people who have a compromised immunity due to gut problems, and so by fixing these you can actually cure the skin condition, as opposed to simply treating it.

*Don't* use steroids, as everything I've read indicated they make things worse long term (as does coconut oil). Contrary to what I've said so far however I'm finding that Tea Tree oil works fantastically to wash my face, though I don't leave it on (and maybe it will worsen things long term. I'm not sure the Oleic Acid content as I'm not sure what it's diluted with. Tea Tree oil manufacturers are allowed to list diluted oil as 100% pure).

[Mr. PC]

I found someone online mention using this, http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/supp ... d=b39349d2

for dandruff (caused by the same fungus).

I'm curious what anyone's thoughts are on this. I never understood the idea behind 'natural' anti-fungal / antibiotics etc. For example, if Coconut Oil has anti-fungal properties, can't whatever is anti-fungal be extracted, and be used more effectively?

But again, I'd really like to know if such a product could have any real benefit (maybe taken with pro-biotics).

[Mr. PC]

Here's a study showing that probiotics reduce dandruff; they mention the specific strains used, but I wonder if the specific strain really matters. I haven't found anything that compares 1 strain to another in terms of dandruff or Seb Derm.

http://www.edermatologynews.com/special ... 5b9c0.html

[RRM]

Did you try what i recommended, regarding dandruff?
(Washing daily, using vaseline for styling)

[Mr. PC]

I've been washing daily, and it's helped (and I notice when I don't wash, it worsens). Washing with Tea Tree oil also helps.

I tried Vaseline years ago, and it worked amazingly at first, but then after some time stopped working. What I've noticed is almost anything I try works at first, and then later stops working.

[RRM]

But that is not true for washing daily. Just keep on doing it, and you will find out.