SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS: A LITERATURE REVIEW ON THE GENERAL ASPECTS

Abstract

Seborrheic dermatitis (DS) is a recurrent and chronic common skin disease; affects 1 to 3% of the immunocompetent population, with bimodal distribution. The pathogenesis is multifactorial and the diagnosis is clinical. It has no curative treatment, only disease control in order to prevent relapses. This article aims at a literature review of current knowledge on the etiopathogenesis and therapy of seborrheic dermatitis. Scientific articles and review articles published and referenced in Medline / PubMED, SciELO and Cochrane between 1991 and 2019 and a dermatology manual dated 2008 were consulted. Evidence shows a strong correlation between the integrity of the epidermal barrier and the severity of the disease, there is no single way to approach such a pathology. Treatment options include topical corticosteroids, antifungal agents and calcineurin inhibitors, and a non-steroidal topical device cream. Although DS alone does not seriously disturb the patient's quality of life, its occurrence, particularly in severe and resistant to therapy, can lead to emotional distress