Could seborrheic dermatitis cause red patches on the skin?

Question

Hello doctor, I have had a persistent red patch on my left cheek for around six months. It comes and goes. It is mildly raised, gets flaky sometimes, and does not go away with moisturizers. Along with this, I also have flakiness and mild redness on my eyebrows, around the nose, on my scalp (dandruff-like flakes, long term), behind the ears, on the forehead near the hairline, and in the beard and cheek area. The affected areas are not usually itchy, but occasionally feel irritated or warm. Based on my research, I think it could be seborrheic dermatitis, but I want a professional diagnosis and guidance. I have not used any steroid creams or strong treatments. For the face, I did try moisturizers, but the patch did not go away. I would appreciate your help in confirming the diagnosis and recommending a safe and effective treatment plan. Please help. Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

It appears to be seborrheic dermatitis with seborrheic capitis as per your description. Other differentials could be seborrheic psoriasis. It is more of a cyclical problem, tends to curb down within two to three months of treatment. It naturally settles as age increases, usually around 30 to 35 years of age. Do you have any of these?

Does the patient have dry skin?
What are known triggers?
What are extreme weather conditions?
Do you use any fragrance-based lotion or soap?
Do you use certain medications?
Do you use harsh topicals like retinoids/AHA/BHA or steroids for a long duration?

Do reply for the complete treatment plan.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.