Flaking at the Sides of the Nose and Eyebrows: Seborrheic Dermatitis

Sometimes you notice small flakes at the sides of your nose, between your eyebrows, or along your hairline.

Your skin may be slightly red, sometimes itchy, and sometimes dandruff shows up on your scalp as well.

You apply moisturizer and things improve for a little while — but after some time, the flaking comes back.

One possible reason is seborrhea, known medically as seborrheic dermatitis (Seborrheic Dermatitis).

What is seborrhea?

Seborrhea is a common inflammatory skin condition that tends to appear in areas rich in oil glands.

It can affect your scalp, eyebrows, the sides of your nose, your ears, and sometimes your chest as well.

One of the factors involved is a yeast called Malassezia, which lives naturally on most of our skin.

In some people, an inflammatory reaction develops that's linked to this yeast and to other factors as well.

It's important to understand that seborrhea doesn't mean you're not clean enough, and it isn't contagious.

Why does it keep coming back?

Seborrhea is a chronic condition that tends to come and go in cycles of flare-ups and calm periods.

For some people it gets worse during times of stress, in cold weather, or when their environment changes.

It isn't always possible to pinpoint a clear cause for a flare-up.

How can you tell seborrhea from ordinary dryness?

Simple dryness can cause flaking and a tight feeling.

With seborrhea, you often also see redness and somewhat oily scales, especially in typical areas like the sides of the nose and the eyebrows.

But you can't always tell the two apart by appearance alone.

Eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions can cause similar flaking, too.

Why isn't moisturizer always enough?

Moisturizer can help ease dryness and discomfort, but it doesn't necessarily treat the inflammation that causes seborrhea.

When appropriate, antifungal products are used, such as ketoconazole, and sometimes anti-inflammatory treatments as well, as recommended by a doctor.

It's especially important to be careful about using steroids on your face for a long time without medical guidance.

What should you do day to day?

Use gentle cleansing products.

Avoid rubbing the flakes hard.

Choose skincare products that don't irritate your skin.

If you have seborrhea on your scalp, a medicated shampoo designed for it may help keep symptoms under control.

And understand that sometimes you'll need maintenance treatment even after your skin looks better.

My daily recommendation

I think one of the mistakes we make is treating every bit of flaking as if it were just a lack of moisture.

But sometimes the flaking is only the outward sign of something else going on in your skin.

Once you understand the difference, it's easier to choose the right treatment and avoid unnecessary trial and error.

Not every flaky patch needs another rich cream, and not every bit of redness is just sensitivity.

Sometimes you first need to understand what's really happening beneath the surface.

Nurit Rozenblat

With love,
Nurit Rozenblat
OrOrgani

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