Chinese herbal medicine for seborrheic dermatitis complicated by allergy to topical agent: A case report

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common inflammatory dermatosis. Conventional medical treatments include corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and other therapeutic modalities. However, the use of the conventional medicine sometimes is limited by adverse effects, such as allergic reaction. We report the case of a 13-year-old girl with seborrheic dermatitis, who was allergic to topical agents and was cured successfully with Chinese herbal medicine. Her Chinese medical syndrome pattern was diagnosed as wind-heat invading the skin and herbs with wind-dispelling and heat-clearing properties were prescribed. Chinese herbal medicine is an alternative modality that can be considered for seborrheic dermatitis, in particular for cases complicated by adverse reactions from conventional topical agents.