What is seborrhea?
Seborrhea is a condition in which the normal life span of your dog’s skin cells is cut short, and the dead skin cells accumulate on the surface of your dog’s skin. The sebaceous glands may also be impacted. The sebaceous glands are located in your dog’s skin generally near the hair follicles, and they produce sebum, a fatty substance that helps to keep your dog’s skin moist. If the sebaceous glands are affected this will result in a change in the quantity and quality of sebum.

There are three types of seborrhea. The first type of seborrhea causes dry flakey skin and is known as dry seborrhea or seborrhea sicca. The second type of seborrhea causes oily skin and is known as oily seborrhea or seborrhea oleosa. The third type of seborrhea is seborrheic dermatitis in which the skin becomes greasy, flakey and inflamed. Skin impacted with seborrhea is also prone to secondary infections.

What will seborrhea look like in my dog?
Your dog will have scaly, flakey, itchy, dry or greasy patches on the skin. Hair loss, excessive licking or scratching and redness of the skin may also occur. Seborrhea can also give the skin a foul odor. In severe cases, the impacted skin may be painful.

How does my dog get seborrhea?
In some dogs, seborrhea is an inherited condition. Other causes include allergies, injuries, parasites or hormonal imbalances.

How is seborrhea diagnosed?
A physical examination can diagnose seborrhea. However, your vet will likely also do further testing to rule out other skin diseases with similar symptoms or to check for the underlying cause or secondary infections.  

How is seborrhea treated?
If the underlying cause can be identified, the treatment of that ailment is primary to treating seborrhea.  However, finding the exact cause of your dog’s seborrhea is not always easy, so treatment often relies on simply dealing with the symptoms. There are several medicated shampoos and topical solutions that help relieve the symptoms of seborrhea. Proper nutrition and dietary supplements may also aid in combating seborrhea. If secondary infections occur, other medications such as antibiotics may also be required.

How is seborrhea prevented?
Preventing the occurrence of other skin conditions and the prompt treatment of other skin conditions may prevent seborrhea.

Can I get seborrhea from my dog?
No, you cannot contract seborrhea from your dog.