seborrhea

seb·or·rhe·a

S0199100 (sĕb′ə-rē′ə)n. A disease of the sebaceous glands characterized by excessive secretion of sebum or an alteration in its quality, resulting in an oily coating, crusts, or scales on the skin.

seb′or·rhe′ic adj.

seb•or•rhe•a

(ˌsɛb əˈri ə)

n. abnormally heavy discharge from the sebaceous glands. [1875–80] seb`or•rhe′al, seb`or•rhe′ic, adj.

seborrhea

A condition involving excessive production of sebum by the oil glands. Combined with dermatitis (itchy, scaly rash), it is a common cause of dandruff (the shedding of dead skin from the scalp as white flakes). Cradle cap is a form of seborrhea common to babies.

Thesaurus

Noun

seborrhea - a condition in which overactivity of the sebaceous glands causes the skin to become oilydisease of the skin, skin disease, skin disorder - a disease affecting the skin

Translations

Seborrhea

a skin condition characterized by a secretory disorder of the sebaceous glands. Seborrhea occurs in both sexes, usually during puberty, and is undoubtedly associated with neuroendocrine disorders. It affects the scalp, face, chest, and back.

Several forms of seborrhea are distinguished: seborrhea adiposa, concrete seborrhea, and mixed seborrhea. During seborrhea adiposa, sebum is secreted in abnormal amounts and accumulates on the skin; the ducts of the sebaceous glands are enlarged and gaping. Hair on the head is greasy and shiny and falls out readily, causing thinning hair in women and permanent baldness in men. Other symptoms include an increase in nervous excitability, fluctuations in arterial pressure, and other functional disorders of the autonomic nervous system. The intensity of sebum secretion decreases by the age of 24–26 years.

Concrete seborrhea is characterized by a less abundant secretion of sebum. An increased keratinization of the openings of the hair follicles obstructs the ducts of the sebaceous glands and results in the formation of blackheads, or comedones. The skin hardens at the affected sites, is dirty gray in appearance, and tends to form blackheads, keratin cysts, and scars; desquamation is pronounced and endocrine disorders are common. Hair does not usually fall out, and the process abates by the age of 26–28 years.

During mixed seborrhea, the symptoms of seborrhea adiposa are prominent on the face and scalp, and the symptoms of concrete seborrhea are prominent on the back and chest.

The treatment of seborrhea is directed at normalizing the activity of the endocrine glands (hormone therapy) and the nervous system (bromine and bismuth preparations, vitamins B₁ and B₆, hydrotherapy) and stimulating metabolic processes, for example, by the administration of blood transfusions, multiple vitamins, or arsenicals. External treatments include the application of paraffin and skin disinfectants (2 percent salicyl alcohol or resorcinol), the use of ultraviolet irradiation, and the removal of comedones.

REFERENCE

Korolev, Iu. F. Seboreia. Leningrad, 1963.

I. IA. SHAKHTMEISTER

seborrhea

[seb″o-re´ah] excessive discharge from the sebaceous glands, forming greasy scales or cheesy plugs on the body; it is generally attended with itching or burning.seborrhea sic´ca dry, scaly, seborrheic dermatitis.

seb·or·rhe·a

(seb'ō-rē'ă), Overactivity of the sebaceous glands, resulting in an excessive amount of sebum. [sebo- + G. rhoia, a flow]

seborrhea

(sĕb′ə-rē′ə)n. A disease of the sebaceous glands characterized by excessive secretion of sebum or an alteration in its quality, resulting in an oily coating, crusts, or scales on the skin.

seb′or·rhe′ic adj.

seb·or·rhe·a

(seb'ōr-ē'ă) Overactivity of the sebaceous glands, resulting in an excessive amount of sebum.
Synonym(s): seborrhoea. [sebo- + G. rhoia, a flow]

seb·or·rhe·a

(seb'ōr-ē'ă) Overactivity of the sebaceous glands, resulting in an excessive amount of sebum.
Synonym(s): seborrhoea.

seborrhea

seb·or·rhe·a

seb•or•rhe•a

seborrhea

Seborrhea

Seborrhea

REFERENCE

seborrhea

seborrhea

seb·or·rhe·a

seborrhea

seb·or·rhe·a

seb·or·rhe·a

seborrhea

Words related to seborrhea

noun a condition in which overactivity of the sebaceous glands causes the skin to become oily

Related Words