Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
Pronunciation: seb-oh-REE-ik der-mah-TY-tis
A chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition affecting sebum-rich areas, presenting with greasy scales and erythema, strongly associated with Malassezia yeast.
Full Definition
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a common, recurrent papulosquamous disorder affecting sebaceous gland-rich regions such as the scalp, nasolabial folds, eyebrows, and central chest. The condition is associated with an inflammatory response to Malassezia species and is exacerbated by stress, immunosuppression, and neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease. In infants it manifests as 'cradle cap.' Editors must be alert to the British spelling 'seborrhoeic' (with the digraph 'oe') versus the American 'seborrheic'; the choice must be consistent throughout the document and aligned with the target style guide. It should not be conflated with psoriasis, with which it can overlap in 'sebopsoriasis.'
Usage
Usage note: Flag British vs. American spelling difference ('seborrhoeic' vs. 'seborrheic') as a style decision; do not silently correct without checking the required variant.
In Context
- "The manuscript alternated between 'seborrhoeic' and 'seborrheic'; the editor standardized to British spelling throughout." — Manuscript editing note
- "Seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp responds well to antifungal shampoos containing ketoconazole." — Patient information leaflet