Solutions & treatments

Focus on psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis

Redness and scales on the face, body and scalp can be linked to two specific chronic diseases that affect sensitive and reactive skin: seborrhoeic dermatitis and psoriasis.

Who is affected by seborrhoeic dermatitis?

It is a frequent condition in adults (it affects 3% of the population), especially young adults, but it also commonly affects infants (71% of them), although only temporarily. “Cradle cap” in infants is one sign of seborrhoeic dermatitis.

What causes seborrhoeic dermatitis?

While some specific conditions promote the sudden onset of seborrhoeic dermatitis, symptoms usually appear in healthy young adults.

Several factors are to blame:

The chronic, recurring nature of seborrhoeic dermatitis which causes redness on the face with or without scales and/or dandruff is a significant source of discomfort for affected people. This discomfort is both social and functional (itching, burning sensations, etc.).

What are the signs of psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious skin condition that affects 2 to 3% of the population. It may appear at any age. Specific triggering factors can reveal a genetically predisposed profile and cause lesions to appear.

Psoriasis patches are red (erythematous) and covered with thick whitish scales. They are very clearly defined compared to healthy skin.

The areas most traditionally affected are the elbows and knees (areas that are impacted by microtraumas), but any part of the tegument may be affected. The scalp is one area frequently impacted (particularly the occipital area). When psoriasis reaches the skin folds (groin, armpits, etc.), this is called inverse psoriasis, which is much less scaly. The nails are sometimes affected as well in various ways (thickening, pitting, deformations). Sometimes psoriasis appears on the skin as very small “drop-like” patches or pustules with erythema (redness).

Who is affected by psoriasis?

Psoriasis affects men and women of all ages. However, it begins before the age of 20 in one third of cases and frequently appears between the ages of 20 and 40.

What causes psoriasis?

The family is affected in 30 to 40% of cases. Transmission involves several genes (multi-gene) and is not systematic.

Locally on the skin, accelerated epidermal renewal causes patches to appear. With this predisposed susceptibility, certain triggering factors are clear