Use of Olive Oil for the Treatment of Seborrheic Dermatitis in Children

Abstract

Use of Olive Oil for the Treatment of Seborrheic Dermatitis in Children S eborrheic dermatitis is a common complaint brought to pediatricians. Also known as "cradle cap" in infants and "dandruff" in adolescents, the condition is believed to be triggered by Malassezia yeasts. 1 The natural course correlates androgen-driven excess sebum production: spontaneous improvement by age 1 year and reoccurrence with puberty. Treatment of this condition has supported a billion dollar market for overthe-counter treatments, 2 loosely regulated by a Food and Drug Administration monograph. The Internet provides easy access to several websites that give directions for home treatments. A popular approach is application of oil (olive, vegetable, or mineral), left on for as short as 15 minutes or as long as overnight, followed by brushing to loosen scales, and finally shampooing. 3-6 While oil application may be risk free, a potential concern arises when considering a possible Malassezia virulence factor regulated by its metabolic lipid pathways. In vivo, Malassezia digests sebum into saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. 1 Only the saturated molecules are essential while the unsaturated fatty acids are a byproduct. 1 Organic oils (such as olive oil) contain both saturated and unsaturated lipids and may be counterproductive to treat a condition whose etiology is linked to Malassezia. In fact, olive oil is a standard in vitro culture media for Malassezia. 7 Saturated fatty acids likely encourage Malassezia overgrowth and excess unsaturated fatty acids may induce inflammation and scaling. As nondigestible oil, mineral oil may provide a triglyceridefree alternative to organic oils. Based on the evidence currently available, it may be prudent to avoid organic oils, especially olive oil, when treating seborrheic dermatitis or other inflammatory skin diseases triggered by colonizing microflora.

Handbook of Integrative Dermatology

“…In addition, olive oil (as compared to other natural oils such as sunflower oil) has actually been shown to damage the skin barrier instead of repairing it ). Thus, patients should be advised not to apply plant oils such as olive oil to the areas (Siegried and Glenn 2012 ). It has been suggested that an inorganic oil such as mineral oil may be a better alternative if patients insist on the application of oil for this condition.…”

Use of “natural” oils for moisturization: Review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oil

“…Still, its use for certain cutaneous diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis should be approached with caution because olive oil is used as a standard in vitro culture medium for Malassezia species . Olive oil contains saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, which may stimulate growth of Malassezia and induce inflammation, respectively …”

“…22 Olive oil contains saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, which may stimulate growth of Malassezia and induce inflammation, respectively. 23 It is also important to consider the risk of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in the context of AD. 24 On rare occasions, olive oil has been reported to cause irritant contact dermatitis and ACD.…”

Use of vegetable oils in dermatology: an overview

“…It has also been shown that olive oil exerts detrimental effects on the neonatal skin. 39 Increased systemic absorption of evening primrose oil may rarely lower the blood pressure 40 and lead to prolonged bleeding time. 38 Some researchers have also cautioned that vegetable oils like olive oil may encourage Malassezia overgrowth, and the excessive unsaturated fatty acids produced by the digestion of fat by these yeasts may augment inflammation in seborrheic dermatitis and other dermatoses linked with Malassezia.…”