The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of skin conditions including seborrheic dermatitis, also known as dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis affects the oily areas of the skin where sebaceous glands are present, primarily in the scalp, face, and upper trunk. (Seborrheic dermatitis may also be called seborrhoeic eczema or seborrhea.)
Seborrheic dermatitis is the whitish or yellowish powdery or greasy scales or plaques that can build up and irritate the skin on the scalp, behind the ears, between the eyebrows, along the eyelashes, and in the creases beside the nose, as well as in the skin folds of the upper trunk.
Among the suspected causes of seborrheic dermatitis is the overgrowth of a yeast, Pityrosporum ovale of the Malassezia genus, which is normally present on the skin [Hay RJ, Graham-Brown RA. "Dandruff and Seborrhoeic Dermatitis: Causes and Management." Clin Exp Dermatol, 1997]. The fact that seborrheic dermatitis responds to antifungal medications supports the suspected role of yeast, a form of fungus, in the development of this disorder.
Add Anifungal Foods and Herbs to the Diet
Many foods contain antifungal properties and can be used in the natural treatment and prevention of yeast overgrowth. Olive oil and coconut oil, in particular, are useful in cleansing and treating seborrheic dermatitis. Both oils have antifungal properties and are effective in softening and removing the scales that build up in advanced cases of seborrheic dermatitis.
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Sage
- Oregano
- Fermented foods (i.e. sauerkraut, kimchi)
- Radishes
Because many of these foods lose their antifungal properties when heated at 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius), they should be added to food at the end of cooking.
References for foods and herbs with antifungal properties: Olive oil [The Olive Oil Source. "Skin Disease and Olive Oil." oliveoilsource.com, 2007], coconut oil [Fife, Bruce, N.D. "Candida and Virgin Coconut Oil." coconut-connections.com, 2001], turmeric, ginger, and sage [Galand, Leo, M.D. "The Four Pillars of Healing: How The New Integrated Medicine Can Cure You", Random House, 1997], oregano ["Fungus Focus. Oil of Oregano Highlights." , 2003 Fungus Focus.com], fermented foods containing lactic acid bacteria [Schnürer, Johan and Jesper Magnusson. Trends in Food Science and Technology, Volume , Issues 1-3, January-March 2005], radishes [Mercola, Joseph, M.D. 100+ Nutrition Facts About 25 Well-Known Foods. Mercola.com, 2008].
Get Sun Exposure
Both UV-A and UV-B light inhibit the growth of P. ovale. Many individuals have reported improvement in seborrheic dermatitis during the summer [Wikler JR, Janssen N, Bruynzeel DP, Nieboer C. "The effect of UV-light on Pityrosporum Yeasts: Ultrastructural Changes and Inhibition of Growth". Acta Derm Venereol 1990].
Avoid Allergenic Foods in the Diet
While P. ovale yeast is present on everyone's skin, some individual's are more susceptible to overgrowth than others. According to Dr. Nicole Sundene, many patients who present with seborrheic dermatitis also have food allergies, especially to wheat, dairy, and citrus [Sundene, Nicole, N.D. "Natural Treatment for Seborrheic Dermatitis, Cradle Cap, Dandruff, and Itchy Scalp." KitchenTableMedicine.com, 2008].
The eight most common allergens are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat. According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, these foods account for 90 percent of food-allergic reactions.
Among the available treatments for seborrheic dermatitis, many can be found in the kitchen. Immediate relief of symptoms can be achieved by applying coconut oil or olive oil directly to the effected areas. Long-term prevention and natural treatment can be as easy as getting outside, avoiding allergens, and incorporating antifungal foods into the diet.
