Seborrheic Dermatitis in the Army: Maintaining Skin Care
During their military service, soldiers often find themselves paying extra attention to their skincare regimen. The use of toners, lotions, moisturizing creams, and mask packs becomes a normal part of their daily routine. Beauty companies recognize this and cater their products to meet the needs of service members. In fact, cosmetics rank among the most popular monthly items sold at the military PX, according to the Ministry of National Defense PX data portal.
However, simply using makeup and skincare products does not guarantee a healthy complexion. It is especially important for individuals suffering from seborrheic dermatitis to take extra precautions. Seborrheic dermatitis is a type of eczema that affects areas of the body with developed sebaceous glands, such as the scalp, eyebrows, nose, lips, ears, armpits, breasts, and groin.
The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is still unknown, but it is believed to be linked to factors such as the Malassezia fungus, immune response imbalance, abnormal sebum secretion, hormonal changes, and stress. The condition manifests as recurring inflammation of oily skin, accompanied by redness and slightly sticky keratin. It is particularly common among individuals under high stress, such as those in the military or with depression and Parkinson’s disease.
Managing seborrheic dermatitis involves focusing on symptom prevention and control rather than seeking complete recovery. Treatment should be approached as a long-term commitment, similar to managing chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. Overdoing unnecessary treatments can cause additional stress and adverse effects.
For scalp-related symptoms, using an antifungal shampoo is recommended. Depending on the severity of symptoms, daily or 2-3 times a week shampooing may be appropriate. Continuous use of an antifungal shampoo can help prevent symptom exacerbation and recurrence. It is also essential to keep the scalp clean, as excessive oil production can worsen inflammation.
For areas other than the scalp, local steroids or immunomodulators like tacrolimus and pimecrolimus are commonly used. However, caution should be exercised with long-term use of strong topical steroids, as they may have side effects. Systemic administration of steroids should be avoided as well.
While seborrheic dermatitis does not pose significant risks if left untreated, it can lead to severe itching and skin thickening if continuously scratched. Avoiding scrubs and alcohol-based products when washing the face, as well as gently moisturizing with low oil-content lotions, are important steps in managing the condition. Moisturizing before going out in cold and dry conditions and wearing a mask to prevent direct exposure to the cold wind can also help alleviate symptoms. It is crucial to refrain from drinking alcohol during treatment as it can aggravate inflammation.
Differentiating seborrheic dermatitis from psoriasis can be challenging, as the symptoms may overlap. However, psoriasis tends to have more severe manifestations, with clear skin boundaries, darker color, and the formation of silvery-white dead skin cells. Psoriasis primarily affects areas prone to friction, such as elbows, knees, buttocks, and nails. While both conditions can occur on the scalp, the treatment durations and outcomes differ significantly.
In conclusion, maintaining proper skin care is crucial for members of the armed forces, given the unique living conditions and stress they experience. By prioritizing prevention and symptom control, individuals with seborrheic dermatitis can effectively manage the condition during their military service. It is important to consult a healthcare professional for a personalized treatment plan and to address any concerns relating to skin health.
⑪ Seborrheic dermatitis
Health Kyunghyang publishes a series of articles on various diseases that can happen to members of the armed forces. It is true that the army is a group with an indefinite number of people, and it is difficult to handle immediately because of living conditions such as group life and training. Considering these points, the article includes what to pay attention to when living in the army and whether there are first aid measures. The topic this time is ‘Seborrheic Dermatitis’. <편집자 주>
Since seborrheic dermatitis repeats improvement and deterioration, it needs constant treatment, focusing on prevention and control of symptoms rather than complete recovery (Photo = Clip Art Korea).
Looking back on my military life, one of the things I paid most attention to was ‘skin care’. In fact, even during their military life, military soldiers often use toners, lotions, moisturizing creams, and mask packs while carefully examining their products. That’s why beauty companies are targeting Gun Mart (hereafter referred to as PX) in line with skin care-conscious military service members. According to the information on the popular products of the Ministry of National Defense PX, a public data portal, cosmetics were the most popular monthly products, excluding food and cigarettes.
However, blindly applying makeup does not mean your skin will improve. In particular, people with seborrheic dermatitis need more attention.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a type of eczema that lasts a long time. ▲ Scalp ▲ Eyebrows ▲ Nose ▲ Around the lips ▲ Ears ▲ Armpits ▲ Breast ▲ Groin, etc. A chronic inflammatory skin disease that occurs in areas with developed sebaceous glandsin.
The cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unclear. but Malassezia (fungus), immune response imbalance, abnormal sebum secretion, hormonal changes and stress are the main causesreferred to as
Seborrheic dermatitis is a recurring inflammation of oily skin. Unlike other dermatitis, it is not severely itchy and is accompanied by red and slightly sticky keratin. In particular, the incidence is high in patients with depression, Parkinson’s disease patients, and military service members who are under high stress.
Seborrheic dermatitis repeats improvement and worsening. therefore Focus on prevention and symptom prevention rather than cureShould be. In other words, it should be approached as if it were a chronic disease such as diabetes or high blood pressure. If you overdo unnecessary treatment in order to treat it in a short period of time, you may feel stressed because you feel that it is not well treated with adverse effects.
In the case of the scalp, it is good to wash the hair with a shampoo that contains antifungal ingredients. If the symptoms are severe, once a day, if the symptoms improve, about 2-3 times a week is appropriate. Even if your symptoms improve Regular use of an antifungal shampoo can prevent symptoms from worsening or recurring. In particular, the scalp becomes oily, and inflammation can worsen when oil is oxidized, so it’s important to keep it clean.
Areas other than the scalp are treated with local steroids or immunomodulators (tacrolimus, pimecrolimus, etc.). However, caution should be exercised as long-term use of strong topical steroids may cause side effects. In particular, since seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic disease, systemic administration of steroids should be avoided.
Seborrheic dermatitis does not cause major problems even if left untreated for a long time. However, if left untreated, itching can become severe, and if the skin is continuously scratched, it can become thick (concretion) and the medicinal effect can decrease.
Hanyang University Hospital Dermatology Professor Joo Min-sook said, “Seborrheic dermatitis does not leave scars, but pigmentation can occur if left untreated.“Especially, if you keep getting sores on the face, this causes stress and lowers your self-esteem,” she stressed. “As one of the symptoms that occurs in patients infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), If your symptoms are severe or do not improve, an HIV test is recommended.I will,” he said.
To relieve oily skin, there are cases where you use scrub products to wash your face too much, which is a shortcut to worsening skin health. therefore When washing your face, avoid scrubs or products that contain alcohol. do. also Avoid rubbing or forcefully removing dead skin cells. do.
Professor Joo Min-sook said, “The skin of seborrheic dermatitis patients is more sensitive than you think, so you need to treat it carefully.”It is important to continue to moisturize by using a lotion with a low oil content.” he advised. Following “As symptoms worsen when it is cold and dry, it is also useful to moisturise before work and wear a mask to prevent direct exposure to cold wind.” he explained. In addition, drinking alcohol worsens inflammation, so you must refrain from drinking during treatment.
On the other hand, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis are often confused, but psoriasis has more severe symptoms. Like seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis is also a chronic inflammatory skin disease with repeated worsening and improvement, but psoriasis has clear skin boundaries and a darker color. In addition, silvery-white dead skin cells form, and if you peel off the dead skin cells, the skin underneath the dead skin cells becomes thin and can cause bleeding.
Most of all, seborrheic dermatitis occurs mainly on oily skin, but psoriasis occurs mainly in areas with a lot of friction, such as elbows, knees, buttocks, and nails. The two diseases can be confused if they occur only on the scalp, but it is not difficult to distinguish them during treatment. In addition, seborrheic dermatitis seems to heal with ointment, but psoriasis has a difference in that the treatment itself takes a long time.
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