Can lemon remove seborrheic dermatitis
Natural Treatment for Seborrheic Dermatitis: What Works?
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Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as dandruff, is an inflammatory skin disease.
It most often affects the scalp and causes scaly, red patches to appear. These patches may also appear on the face and upper body. These are areas with many sebaceous glands, which produce oil.
Seborrheic dermatitis is not contagious. Instead, its the result of an allergy or an autoimmune reaction. Its a chronic condition, which means treatment can manage but not cure it.
It may take several rounds of treatment to get rid of symptoms. Conventional treatments are effective, but they can contain strong chemicals.
Home remedies can limit this exposure, with fewer side effects. Used alongside medical treatment, they can help you find relief more quickly.
Psoriasis vs. seborrheic dermatitis: Whats the difference?
Seborrheic dermatitis can result from different factors, depending on your skin type and sensitivities. So theres no catch-all alternative treatment. Your dermatologist can help you find one thats suitable.
Fish oil
Fish oil supplements can help suppress flare-ups of dermatitis that allergies trigger, as well as provide other nutritional benefits. Its omega-3 fatty acids can help boost overall immune and cardiovascular health.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a plant with anti-inflammatory properties.
Supplements containing aloe vera gel or extracts can help suppress flare-ups. They can also help lessen the severity of flare-ups that do happen.
Probiotics
Probiotics may help treat different kinds of dermatitis, especially in children. But theres little research to link probiotics to effective results for seborrheic dermatitis.
Still, probiotics can promote a healthier digestive system. This can decrease inflammatory issues throughout your body.
Apple cider vinegar
An apple cider vinegar soak will loosen the scales on your scalp. It may also lessen inflammation in the area of the flare-up.
To use this treatment:
- Wash your hair with shampoo.
- Apply a diluted solution of apple cider vinegar to the area.
- Let the vinegar and water sit on your scalp for a few minutes.
- Rinse well.
Olive oil
Another option for at-home treatment is to coat your scalp with olive oil.
Follow these steps:
- Apply the oil to the scalp.
- Leave the oil on for about an hour.
- Brush thoroughly to remove scales from your scalp.
- Wash and shampoo your hair as usual.
MORE: Seborrheic Dermatitis: Best Shampoos for Treating Your Scalp
Seborrheic dermatitis is not directly linked to any dietary habits. But that doesnt mean your diet has no effect on your flare-ups.
Eat foods that support your immune system and focus on those with anti-inflammatory properties. You may find that your symptoms decrease.
To fight inflammation, eat a diet that includes:
- plenty of green, leafy vegetables
- tomatoes
- olive oil
- fruits that contain antioxidants, such as cherries, strawberries, and blueberries
- foods that are high in vitamin C, such as citrus and bell peppers
- almonds
- sweet potatoes
- foods with plenty of vitamin E, like wheat germ and avocados
Seborrheic dermatitis isnt life threatening, but it is chronic and can be uncomfortable. At times, you may find the scaling, itching, and redness distracting, especially if it happens on your face or upper body.
Talk to your doctor about your symptoms to ensure you get a correct diagnosis. You can connect to a dermatologist in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool.
Also, see your doctor if flare-ups are a persistent concern or if you also have other symptoms.
Your primary care physician may refer you to a dermatologist, who specializes in skin conditions.
They may want to order some tests to further evaluate your situation and talk to you about treatment options complementary to your condition.
Topical treatments are the most commonly recommended solution for seborrheic dermatitis outbreaks.
Corticosteroids. Creams and shampoos containing corticosteroids or hydrocortisone can help reduce severe inflammation. These are only suitable for short-term use, as they can cause side effects.
Keratolytics. Products containing salicylic acid, lactic acid, urea, and propylene glycol can help remove scales.
Antibacterial gels or antifungal creams. These can help in the case of a fungal or bacterial infection.
Light therapy. Exposing the affected area to ultraviolet light may help soothe the skin and reduce itching and redness.
Coal tar. Coal tar cream can help slow the process of skin cells dying and falling off. Apply it to scaling areas, leave for several hours, and shampoo later to remove it.
Medicated shampoos. Use a product containing ketoconazole, ciclopirox, selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, coal tar, and salicylic acid, twice a week for a month or longer. If necessary, you can use them indefinitely.
Supplementing these treatments with an alternative or natural treatment can help decrease side effects over the long term.
Although its unclear what causes seborrheic dermatitis, there appear to be some common triggers.
Stress can aggravate flare-ups for many skin conditions, including seborrheic dermatitis. Try to be mindful of what triggers you in particular.
Know your triggers
Its possible that your flare-ups are connected to an allergic reaction, so try to document if theres anything unusual or new to your environment when a flare-up happens.
To keep from triggering a flare-up, avoid wearing wool caps and sweaters. Instead, opt for fabrics like cotton and silk.
Self-care measures
The following may help
- Wash affected areas regularly with a mild shampoo.
- Avoid styling gels and hair sprays during a flare.
- Avoid alcohol-based products, as they may trigger a reaction.
Support your immune system
A weakened immune system can also contribute to how severe your symptoms are. Take care of yourself and make sure to eat a diet rich in vitamins E, C, and K.
Dandruff: What your itchy scalp is trying to tell you
Ways of managing seborrheic dermatitis include at-home treatments and topical creams.
With the help of a dermatologist, you can find a treatment that works for you.
A variety of alternative treatment methods can help you avoid possible long-term side effects of prescription and over-the-counter creams.
Can you get a clean scalp with lemon juice? Heres the truth
Lemon Juice for the scalp
Lemon is known as a "miracle fruit". It's high in vitamin C and other plant chemicals that are good for you. Lemon water (essentially, diluted lemon juice) has been related to weight loss, better digestion, and overall body purification in studies. Lemon water has the ability to make our skin sparkle. But did you know that lemon juice provides a slew of hair-care benefits? There are a number of convincing reasons to put lemon juice on our hair.
Can lemon juice help in keeping the scalp healthy?
Lemons have antifungal characteristics that might help keep your scalp healthy. Furthermore, lemon juice can aid in the regulation of oil secretion. This is another another fantastic lemon juice hair advantage.
Can Lemon Juice Help In Fighting Dandruff?
Yes, it is possible. Another hair benefit of lemon juice is this. The citric acid in its juice is effective, safe, and affordable, as it helps restore the normal pH balance of the scalp, preventing an overgrowth of those unpleasant white flakes. Furthermore, lemon juice's astringent effect controls the scalp's sebum level, keeping it from becoming itchy, excessively greasy, or dry, and so preventing dandruff.
Before you start using lemon to get rid of dandruff, you should first figure out what's generating the flakes. A common form of dandruff is seborrheic dermatitis. It's essentially an itchy, red rash with white or yellow flakes that might affect not only our scalp but also our face and other portions of our chest. Seborrheic dermatitis is also linked to the Malassezia fungus, which lives on the scalp and feeds on the oils released by hair follicles. Lemon can assist to eliminate dandruff by regulating this oil. Also, note that dandruff can be caused by other things such as yeast proliferation in our body, unhealthy diet and stress.
Can You Use Lemons to Treat Dandruff?
Dandruff is a condition that causes the skin on your scalp to flake. Though not considered a serious condition, it can be annoying and difficult to treat.
Recommended dandruff treatments often include using a medicated shampoo or adding vitamins to your diet. However, some online forums and home remedies call for lemons as a solution.
As with many citrus fruits, lemons are rich in antioxidants, essential vitamins, and citric acid (a form of vitamin C). This combination of vitamins has a reputation for boosting the immune system and maintaining hair health. But can lemons effectively fight dandruff?
Keep reading to find out if lemon juice is effective at improving dandruff symptoms, plus how to use it and possible side effects.
Before evaluating the benefits of using lemon to treat dandruff, lets look at what causes dandruff.
Many cases of dandruff are caused by the presence of Malassezia, a yeast-like fungus that feeds on the oils present on the scalp. Similar to other natural fungi, Malassezia generally causes minimal issues unless its present in excess.
Too much of this fungus can cause skin to dry out and become irritated. The result is dandruff and other dry skin disorders.
Sensitivity to hair products is another cause of dandruff. Allergies and irritants in certain products can cause inflammation in the scalp, resulting in contact dermatitis. This condition can leave behind a red, itchy, and scaly rash.
Other common causes of dandruff include:
Advocates of natural dandruff treatment believe lemons can:
- provide vitamin C, citric acid, flavonoid, and iron all nutrients essential to hair and skin health
- balance the pH of the scalp to keep dandruff at bay
- strengthen hair follicles
- eliminate excess oils in the scalp that lead to buildup and scalp flakes
The citric acid present in lemon is a natural pH adjuster for the scalp, according to a
Shampoos often include citric fruits, like lemon, for their fragrant smell and ability to adjust the scalp to a 5.5 pH. This helps to:
- maintain neutrality
- prevent any adverse reactions and inflammation on the skin
- reduce the risk of dandruff
In addition, lemons are rich in vitamin C and B. Vitamin C has powerful antioxidant properties that not only help to strengthen hair follicles, but also promote collagen production to help repair damaged skin cells.
Vitamin B can also help to improve skin conditions, even on the scalp. A
However, despite these many benefits, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of lemon juice for treating dandruff.
Before incorporating lemon juice or any other new product into your hair cleansing routine, talk with a doctor. You want to make sure you dont have allergies or arent taking medications that could cause adverse reactions if exposed to lemon.
Direct application
Many remedies suggest direct application of lemon juice to the skin. Rather than using it in place of shampoo or conditioner, apply the lemon juice to the scalp as a pre-shampoo treatment.
Leave it on for a few minutes to allow the lemon to penetrate the hair follicles and skin. Afterward, rinse it out with warm water, and wash your hair and scalp with a mild shampoo.
You can repeat this cycle every wash day for consistent results.
Mixed with other ingredients
Some home remedies pair lemon juice with other ingredients for added benefits, such as coconut oil and sugar. Mixed together, these ingredients can act as an exfoliating scrub or setting solution before regular shampooing.
Its important to note that while these remedies may be helpful for some, their benefits for dandruff are anecdotal. More research needs to be done to support accurate results.
As with any product, applying lemon juice directly to the skin may cause some uncomfortable symptoms or side effects. Stop use immediately if you begin to experience the following:
- burning
- stinging
- redness
- dryness
- increased dandruff
Lemon juice has been cited in many home remedies as a helpful solution to treating dandruff. And while this may prove true for some, more research is necessary to confirm the effectiveness of this ingredient.
Talk to a doctor before applying lemon juice to your skin, hair, and scalp.
