Treatment of Seborrhoeic Dermatitis in Asia: A Consensus Guide

Abstract

Seborrhoeic dermatitis (SD) is common in Asia. Its prevalence is estimated to be 1-5% in adults. However, larger population-based studies into the epidemiology of SD in Asia are lacking, and the aetiology of SD may differ widely from Western countries and in different parts of Asia. In addition, clinically significant differences between Asian and Caucasian skin have been reported. There is a need to define standardized clinical diagnostic criteria and/or a grading system to help determine appropriate treatments for SD within Asia. With this in mind, experts from India, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Italy convened to define the landscape of SD in Asia at a meeting held in Singapore. The consensus group developed a comprehensive algorithm to aid clinicians to recommend appropriate treatment of SD in both adults and children. In most cases, satisfactory therapeutic results can be accomplished with topical antifungal agents or topical corticosteroids. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents with antifungal properties have been shown to be a viable option for both acute and maintenance therapy.

Keywords: Asia; Consensus; Diagnosis; Seborrhoeic dermatitis; Treatment.

Fig. 1

Proposed therapeutic algorithm for adult SD of the scalp and hairy areas. AIAFp = Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent with antifungal properties.

Fig. 2

Proposed therapeutic algorithm for adult non-scalp SD. AIAFp = Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent with antifungal properties; TCI = topical calcineurin inhibitors. * Off-label use.