My Journey with Seborrheic Dermatitis

The Struggle is real "Seborrheic Dermatitis"

I have been struggling with this issue since the age of 14. During my relaxed days as a teen, I tried so many products catered to hair and scalp, not being fully aware of my scalp issue those products only made my situation worse time after time. It is 16 years later today that I finally realize what the problem is after thorough research and experimentation, seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic Dermatitis is a papulosquamous disorder patterned on the sebum-rich areas of the scalp, face, and chest. In addition to sebum, this dermatitis is linked to Malassezia (fungi), immunologic abnormalities, and activation of complement. Its severity ranges from mild dandruff to exfoliative erythroderma. I found that definition online at (medscape.com). Here are a few images from google below.

Now lets discuss how I control my issue at hand after a long journey of sensitive, inflamed, painful, oozing, itchy and swollen scalp. Six years ago I decided to go natural (free from the chemical straightener) and boy oh boy was it the best decision I made in a long time. I still get so excited knowing I made that big chop to Freedom, liberation, and feminine empowerment ahhhh YES! And in return it help calm my scalp eczema. So straying away from the chemical was beneficial in many ways. Along my natural hair journey I watched plenty you tubers give their best advice via product reviews, and I mean every natural hair woman I know was using coconut oil as part of their daily hair regimen. So of course I decided to try the coconut oil mixed with a little tea tree oil (antifungal) but my scalp said nope this is not it girl (lol) try again. I tried the apple cider vinegar rinse, that did not work. So I continued my research and because my scalp was so sensitive to almost every product, a light bulb went off and my inner wisdom spoke to me and said how about not putting any product at all directly on your scalp. That was an ah hah! moment for me, so that is just what I did not do. So as of today here are my fav. and safe external go to products:





                                               Shampoo: Shea Moisture (Dandruff Control)

Conditioner: Shea Moisture (grow and restore treatment mask)

Styling product with moisture: Curls (crème brule whipped curl cream)

Raw Shea Butter (with added tea tree oil) antifungal

I shampoo my hair every week (mandatory)

I apply the conditioner only onto my hair avoiding my scalp

while my hair is wet I apply a dime size amount of raw shea butter all over my hair
once my hair is thoroughly dry I apply my creme brule followed by raw shea butter
I detangle my hair (ends to root) then I two strand twist my hair into small sections
normally I leave it twisted until my next wash day, and it holds great moisture!

 Since we got the external control out of the way, lets touch on the internal health journey with Seborrheic Dermatitis. I truly believe this issue is linked to diet. Sugar being one of the main contributors of my flare ups, yeast feeds on sugar, so it was only wise for me to cut back on the sweets and the starchy foods (which are my fav). I keep a food diary and It is a challenge but well worth the peace. Spicy foods for me and my scalp are a big No! The healthier and the greener my foods are the more at peace my scalp will be. I am also aware that I benefit greatly from meditation and yoga, they both help to center me and bring peace among my chaotic energy. It also helps me to focus and in turn helps me control my stress and anxiety (which causes flare ups). I understand that this is apart of me but it will not control me. My holistic approach to any given situation is the solution to many of my problems. The more organic, the better!

words of wisdom

If you are struggling with any situation do not give in, be patient with your self, there is a solution waiting for you.