Typically, lesions are yellowish, greasy scales or flakes that resemble potato chips.
This condition tends to be recurring and last throughout the patient's life. Individual
outbreaks of the disease may last weeks, months, or years. Seborrheic dermatitis is
frequently found closely associated with common acne. Both skin conditions should be
treated at the same time.
(2) Treatment. The patient should eat a well balanced diet, restricting
excess sweets, spices, hot drinks, and alcoholic beverages. Urge him to maintain
regular working hours, get adequate sleep and recreation, and observe standards of
simple cleanliness. Living in this manner should relieve such factors as infections,
overwork, stress, constipation, and dietary abnormalities--all of which cause the disease
to worsen. Steroids, creams or lotions, may be applied to the skin lesions.
CAUTION: Potent fluorinated corticosteroids used regularly on the face, however, may
produce steroid rosacea (superficial inflammation resembling acne).
Selsun, Fostex, and Sebulex may be used to treat seborrheic dermatitis
of the scalp. Do not overuse Selsun because it can cause baldness. If
seborrheic dermatitis in the skin folds is being treated, apply astringent wet
dressings followed by three percent vioform and one percent hydrocortisone
base.
h. Urticaria (Hives).
(1) Description/characteristics. Urticaria is an acute or chronic inflammatory
skin reaction of an allergic origin with eruptions of evanescent (unstable) wheals or
hives. Hives are caused by ingesting food or drugs. An acute case lasts less than six
weeks. A chronic case lasts longer than six weeks. Common causes of hives include
eating shellfish, strawberries, eggs, and chocolate as well as using penicillin
(2) Treatment. Avoid re-exposure to sensitizing drugs or foods and look for
the drugs and foods that caused the hives. Eliminate these drugs and foods. Give
epinephrine 1:1000 in the dosage 0.3-1.0 ml sc if laryngeal spasm is suspected.
Administer antihistamines for prompt and sustained relief of symptoms.
i. Nevi (Mole).
(1) Description/characteristics. A nevi is a congenital, discolored spot which
is elevated above the surface of the skin. The cause of these skin lesions is unknown.
Nevi are dome-shaped, flat, or elevated papules with brown or black colored flesh.
They are often hairy and appear on any part of the body. Nevi usually appear during
childhood, usually on the palms, soles, and genitalia. They may be the precursor to
malignant melanoma.
(2) Treatment. All suspicious lesions of this type should be examined by a
dermatologist for surgical removal and biopsy.
MD0575
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