Seborrheic Dermatitis – Natural Honey Treatment

Research has demonstrated that an application of honey to Seborrheic Dermatitis can help relieve itching and scaling in as little as one week and even heal it completely!

I know it sounds too good to be true, but raw honey (unprocessed) has naturally occurring antibacterial and antifungal properties. So it makes sense that it helps reduce the itching of Seborrheic Dermatitis as this is exacerbated by the yeast Malassezia furfur (Pityrosporum Ovale).

This yeast has infinity for the sebaceous glands as it requires the oil to survive, grow and replicate. So you can commonly find Seborrheic Dermatitis where the sebaceous glands are most prominent.

Where Is Seborrheic Dermatitis Located?

The face and scalp are the most common areas to see Seborrheic Dermatitis, especially around the nose, on the nasal creases, eye lids, eyebrows, and also behind the ears.

When affecting the scalp it is commonly called ‘dandruff’, when it occurs in babies it is called ‘cradle cap’.

When the yeast grows rapidly, the cell renewal of the skin is disturbed and can result in Seborrheic Dermatitis which is characterised by itchy, red, flaking, scaly skin.

It also has been hypothesized that there may be an abnormal immune response to this naturally occurring yeast on the skin resulting in inflammation producing the skin problem.

None the less, it would be very beneficial for you with Seborrheic Dermatitis to use natural antifungal treatments to help manage the growth of yeast on the skin in turn reducing the itchiness and the redness.

Step By Step Treatment

I am recommending here what was demonstrated in the clinical trial of thirty patients with the topical honey treatment on Seborrheic Dermatitis lesions.

Step 1. Apply a diluted raw honey mixture (90% honey diluted in warm water) directly to the Seborrheic Dermatitis lesions, of the scalp, face, chest or wherever it is located. Do so every two, to three days for 4 weeks. (Apply after cleansed skin)
Step 2. Gently rub the diluted honey into the lesions for 2-3 minutes
Step 3. Leave the honey on for 3 hours
Step 4. Rinse the honey off with warm water

When to Expect Results

According to the trial, within one week the itching and scaling had disappeared.

In the second week, the skin lesions were healing and some had disappeared completely by the end of the second week.
Those who had the skin lesions on their scalp with associated hair loss received a marked improvement in the rate of their hair loss, decreasing dramatically.

The patients who were treated once weekly for the following 6 months (15 patients) after the initial 4 week treatment did not show any relapse of the skin condition. The other 15 patients who stopped treatment had relapse of the lesions within 2-4 months.

What Else Contributes to Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Applying the honey treatment will greatly provide you with fast relief of the skin condition. Whilst you do the external treatment it may also be beneficial for you to look into the deeper underlying causes to your skin condition.

Other factors that have been associated in causing Seborrheic Dermatitis are:

Candida Overgrowth – Candida is another type of fungal infection found in the digestive system tract and is commonly found in Seborrheic Dermatitis sufferers.
Food Allergies/Sensitivities – Getting tested for food sensitivities may be a good idea to determine what foods trigger your skin condition.
High Fat Diet – The use of a lot of bad fats in the diet can create a worsening of the skin condition
Poor Immune System Function – Low immunity can make you more prone to fungal infections, viruses and bacteria.
Nutrient Deficiencies – Deficiencies of Zinc and B vitamins can lower you immune system but also increase sebum production that could contribute to Seborrheic Dermatitis
High Refined Sugar Intake – Sugar can trigger Seborrheic Dermatitis by suppressing the immune system and being a source of food for the yeast.

There you go, a natural skin care treatment for Seborrheic Dermatitis – but please don’t forget to look at your body holistically and what you can change in your lifestyle or diet that will give you a healthier body and healthier skin!

Also, just a warning – please do not use honey on open wounds like ulcerations or cuts as it can actually make it worse. When using honey on open wounds and cuts only use the medicated wound care and not just the straight raw honey as it has been treated in such a way that it is safe to use.

References

1. Al-Waili NS. Therapeutic and Prophylatic Effects of Crude Honey on Chronic Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff. Eur J Med Res, 2001 July 30:6(7) 306-308.