"Greasy Face Explosion and Flaking Skin?" Seborrheic Dermatitis, an SOS from Your Red, Itchy Skin

The concept of yupung in Donguibogam closely aligns with seborrheic dermatitis in modern medicine. Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that primarily targets areas with active sebaceous glands, such as the face (especially around the nose, eyebrows, forehead, and behind the ears), scalp, and chest. It is characterized by shiny sebum accompanied by red patches, white or yellowish scaly keratin, and frequent pruritus. The primary cause involves several overlapping factors. First, excess sebum production plays a central role. An increase in cortisol, the stress hormone, stimulates the sebaceous gland to produce more sebum, which supplies nutrients for the yeast Malassezia residing on the skin. Malassezia exists naturally on healthy skin, but abundant sebum causes excessive proliferation, releasing substances that provoke inflammation. 😥 Our skin mounts an immune response to the metabolites of this Malassezia, damaging the skin barrier and producing redness, keratin, and pruritus. This parallels the classical view where damp-heat accumulates in the skin, causing itching like wind and redness like fire. Modern medicine has identified further contributing and aggravating factors. Irregular habits, insufficient sleep, mental stress, decreased immunity, and even certain neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease or specific medications can worsen seborrheic dermatitis. Diet is equally influential. Meals high in sugar, fat, and processed foods increase internal inflammation and disrupt gut health, negatively impacting the skin. Deficiencies in nutrients such as vitamin B complex or zinc are also associated with the condition. As these internal and external factors disrupt the balance of the skin, seborrheic dermatitis develops. Rather than a simple surface concern, it serves as an important reflection of whole-body health.