Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that many people suffer from, but it's also one that's often self-diagnosed. While there are ways to improve the condition of your seborrheic dermatitis at home, you really should seek help from a dermatologist instead. Here's why trying to tend to your condition all by yourself isn't the best idea.

More Harm than Good

If you look up how to treat seborrheic dermatitis at home, oftentimes one of the first suggestions you'll see is to use hydrocortisone cream on your dermatitis patches. Hydrocortisone cream is helpful in not only reducing the itch, but also fighting the inflammatory response that causes the patches in the first place. Unfortunately, it can also hurt you.

Long-term use of hydrocortisone cream can potentially thin your skin or even cause vision damage. You should never use it near your eyes, which makes it a problem for those who have seborrheic dermatitis in some of the most common areas, like the eyebrows or around the nose. If you're using it in these areas now, you should stop right away, and make sure to never touch your eyes after applying this product.

Sun Damage Risk

Another problem with self-treatment is that exfoliants are often recommended for treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.

Chemical exfoliants help to speed up cell turnover, releasing the dead shed skin before it can become a dermatitis patch. This is an excellent treatment method, and one that dermatologists often recommend themselves. However, that recommendation always comes with a side note: you must protect yourself from the sun if attempting this method.

Alpha hydroxy acids and other chemical exfoliants can increase your sensitivity to sun exposure. This means you could experience sunburns or long-term deep tissue damage to your skin if you're not careful.

Potential to Worsen

Unfortunately, just ignoring your seborrheic dermatitis isn't an option, either. In addition to being unsightly and itchy, seborrheic dermatitis can actually spread over the body. What might start out as a small patch near your hairline or eyebrows can end up covering the oilier parts of your face, neck, ears, and so forth. If seborrheic dermatitis isn't adequately treated, this is more likely to happen.

Seborrheic dermatitis can be a real nuisance, which is exactly why you need a dermatologist on your side. Talk to a doctor and get the ball rolling to see a dermatologist, such as at Georgia Skin Cancer & Aesthetic Dermatology, so that you can get the treatment you need for your skin.