The difference between acne and seborrheic dermatitisdermatologist Jinho Jung

1. Definition of acne and seborrheic dermatitis

Both seborrheic dermatitis and acne are caused by increased sebum production. When sebum is secreted from the sebaceous glands, it escapes through the hairy hair follicles. When the sebum secreted by the sebaceous glands is blocked at the entrance of the hair follicle and cannot go out any further, and the bottom of it swells like a balloon, creating a lesion called "comedones," that is acne.

The composition of sebum is oil, and there are components called fatty acids in the oil. The more fat is broken down by fungi or fungi on the skin, the greater the amount of fatty acids, which causes inflammation of the skin, which is seborrheic dermatitis.

2. Differences between acne and seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by itching when it becomes inflamed, and in more severe cases, red erythema and a rash. And there's a lot of dandruff.

Acne is based on comedones, while seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by dandruff, erythema on the face, and itching. Also, acne is more severe around the age of 20, and seborrheic dermatitis is more severe around the age of 40.

To sum up, seborrheic dermatitis and acne are both related to an increase in sebum secretion, but acne is caused by blocked sebum secretion, and sebum secretion is good, but the amount is high, so there are a lot of fatty acids that cause inflammation of the skin, and it is seborrheic dermatitis that causes inflammation of the skin.

3. Treatment methods

Acne can be treated with an exfoliant to clear the blocked opening of the hair follicle or medications that suppress sebum production. When sebum production increases, acne bacteria feed on sebum, so acne bacteria increase. Therefore, treatment is given to kill acne bacteria or to suppress inflammation, but in the case of seborrheic dermatitis, the main symptom is increased inflammation, so treatment to reduce inflammation is the main one. If you have a lot of dandruff on your head, you can use a medicated shampoo every day. Steroid medications can be used whenever there is inflammation, or if the inflammation is too severe, medications that suppress inflammation.

Currently, the only drug that reduces sebum is isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is often used to treat acne that doesn't respond well to regular acne treatments, but it's only used for severe acne because it has a lot of side effects.

For seborrheic dermatitis, drugs that suppress sebum secretion are rarely used. This is because sebum must be present in adequate amounts on our skin. Without sebum, your face becomes tight and dry, and you can't live. So, in the case of seborrheic dermatitis, you can think of it as a relatively inexpensive drug that reduces inflammation.