Addressing Nutritional, Emotional Status May Improve Seborrheic Dermatitis

Both healthy nutritional habits and improved psycho-emotional status may lead to prevention of seborrheic dermatitis occurrence and exacerbation, according to new findings on the role played by nutritional habits, higher body mass index (BMI), and mental health status on this skin condition’s etiopathogenesis.1

These data were the conclusion of a new analysis authored in part by Tayfun Batan from the dermatology and venereology department at Health Sciences University Beyhekim Education and Research Hospital in Turkey.

Batan et al. noted that seborrheic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition impacting the sebaceous glands, can be impacted by such elements as immune status, hormones, neuropsychiatric conditions, and higher body fat content. However, they pointed out that the link had not been fully elucidated in prior research.

“There are strong data on the relationship between nutrition habits, psychoemotional status, and the other sebaceous gland diseases such as acne, rosacea, and androgenetic alopecia,” Batan and colleagues wrote. “However, there is limited knowledge on [seborrheic dermatitis] and nutrition. We aimed to evaluate the nutrition habits, body mass index (BMI), and psychoemotional status in patients with [seborrheic dermatitis.”1,2

Trial Design and Background

The investigative team conducted their research at the Eskişehir Osmangazi University Medical Faculty Dermatology Outpatient Clinic between December 2019 - December 2020. For the purposes of their analysis, the team assessed a total of 100 individuals who were shown to have seborrheic dermatitis and 110 healthy controls, all of whom were aged 18–65 years.

A diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis was based by the investigators on clinical evaluations. Specifically, they had assessed oily scales and erythema in regions rich in sebaceous glands with characteristic patterns.

Demographically, the control arm of the study was designed to closely match those with diagnoses of seborrheic dermatitis. Within the control arm, subjects who had been given a diagnosis of conditions such as verruca vulgaris or melanocytic nevus but had no systemic or psycho-dermatological conditions and were not being treated with any medication.

The investigators did not include participants if they had any psychiatric disorders, if they were over 65 years old or under 18, or if they reported any special dietary histories, cognitive impairments leading to prevention of independent questionnaire completion, eating disorders, inflammatory skin or chronic systemic issues, or were pregnant or breastfeeding.

Both of the cohorts in this analysis were provided with dermatological examinations, and the research team gathered sociodemographic data on them. To address various questions, subjects filled out self-assessment questionnaires asking about their demographic data, background, and regular nutritional habits.

Some of these dietary habits included their preferences for such as salt, fats, and spices. It also covered their consumption frequencies of coffee, tea, sugar, bread, fruits, red meat, vegetables, and milk.

Participants were also instructed to fill out the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the Adolescents Food Habits Checklist (AFHC). The severity of their seborrheic dermatitis was evaluated through the Seborrheic Dermatitis Area Severity Index (SDASI), adapted from the Psoriasis Area Severity Index.

Notable Findings

The researchers' findings demonstrated that there was a significant positive correlation identified between severity of one’s seborrheic dermatitis and body mass index (BMI) (P = .018). Additionally, they noted that subjects with the skin condition were shown to consume more bread and fewer vegetables and fruits (P = .001, P = .006, respectively).

The research team also noted that in their psychological assessments, it was demonstrated that subjects with moderate to severe seborrheic dermatitis had significantly increased anxiety subscale and total scores on the DASS-21 (P = .035, P = .049).

Those with moderate to severe seborrheic dermatitis reported higher intake of animal fats, margarine, and sugar (P = .008, P = .050). Subjects' AFHC scores, which would suggest healthier nutritional habits, were found by the researchers to be lower among those with the skin condition (P = .009), and particularly low scores were seen among those who consumed more bread and fewer fruits and vegetables.

The investigators’ findings, overall, indicate that obesity, habits related to diet and nutrition, and psychological factors, especially anxiety, maintain a major role in the development and severity of this skin condition. The promotion of healthy eating patterns and the addressing of patients’ emotional and psychological well-being may lead to prevention of this disease’s onset and exacerbation.

“This study has some limitations,” they wrote. “This is a single-center prospective study and has relatively few patients and includes only Turkish population. But this study is including diet and psychoemotional status in [seborrheic dermatitis]. These data are very few in literature. Despite these restrictions, we believe that the consequences are [worthwhile].”1

References

1. Batan, T., Acer, E., Kaya Erdoğan, H., Ağaoğlu, E., Bilgin, M. and Saraçoğlu, Z.N. (2025), The Relationship Between Nutrition Habits, BMI, Anxiety, and Seborrheic Dermatitis. J Cosmet Dermatol, 24: e16737. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16737.
2. E. Agaoglu, H. Kaya Erdogan, E. Acer, E. Atay, S. Metintas, and Z. N. Saracoglu, “Prevalence of Early-Onset Androgenetic Alopecia and Its Relationship With Lifestyle and Dietary Habits,” Italian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology 156 (2021): 675–680.