Seborrheic dermatitis is a type of eczema (dermatitis) that can lead to itchy, flaky skin, dandruff, and rashes. Sometimes, people with this skin condition experience comorbidities, or other health conditions at the same time. One comorbidity that people with seborrheic dermatitis may experience is hypertension (high blood pressure).

While someone can have both seborrheic dermatitis and hypertension at the same time, scientists aren’t sure why this happens, and they’re still researching to uncover any potential connection between these two conditions. If you have seborrheic dermatitis, it’s helpful to know about related health conditions so that you can make a conscious effort to try to prevent and manage them.

If you have seborrheic dermatitis and hypertension, or if you’re concerned about developing hypertension, keep reading to find out what you need to know.

What Is Hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, happens when the pressure of blood in your arteries is too high for too long. Arteries are the vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. The health of your arteries is essential to your overall health. Over time, high blood pressure in your arteries can damage your heart and cause other health complications.

In most cases, hypertension doesn’t cause any symptoms. Unless you get your blood pressure checked, you may have high blood pressure and not know it. Sometimes, people with high blood pressure may experience symptoms like shortness of breath or headaches.

Nearly half of adults in the United States have hypertension, as it’s a very common condition. Hypertension can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, heart attack, and stroke, so it’s very important to manage this condition. The good news is that hypertension can be controlled with dietary changes, lifestyle changes, and medications.

How Are Seborrheic Dermatitis and Hypertension Related?

Because hypertension affects the arteries and seborrheic dermatitis affects the skin, you’re probably wondering how these two conditions are related. Scientists are still trying to figure that out as well. But they do have some theories.

Hypertension and Seborrheic Dermatitis Are Comorbidities

Some research has established that hypertension is more common in people with seborrheic dermatitis and that there’s an association between the two conditions. A large research study with more than 18,000 participants found that hypertension was more common in people with seborrheic dermatitis, as compared to those who didn’t have the skin disease.

Seborrheic Dermatitis Might Be a Risk Factor for Hypertension

Other research studies have found possible connections between the conditions in that one may be a risk factor for the other. This means that having one condition, like seborrheic dermatitis, may increase the risk of developing another condition (hypertension, in this case). Research has also found that the opposite is true — having hypertension may increase your risk of developing seborrheic dermatitis. However, there currently isn’t enough scientific evidence to confirm whether seborrheic dermatitis is a risk factor for hypertension or vice versa.

Medications May Play a Role

There are also theories about how medications for either condition may have an impact on the risk of developing the other condition. For example, in the journal Northern Clinics of Istanbul, the authors of one research study asked whether seborrheic dermatitis could be triggered by medications used to treat hypertension. Seborrheic dermatitis can be caused or triggered by certain medications like dopamine antagonists (used to treat Parkinson’s disease), lithium (used to treat mental health conditions), and immunosuppressants (used to treat conditions that affect the immune system). Drugs used to treat hypertension aren’t considered a part of this list, so more research is needed to understand whether hypertension medications can trigger or cause seborrheic dermatitis.

Other Possible Connections Between Seborrheic Dermatitis and Hypertension

Researchers have proposed several other ways that seborrheic dermatitis and hypertension may be connected:

• Through common genes
• Through psychological conditions
• Through chronic inflammation

There are at least 11 possible genetic mutations or changes that may cause seborrheic dermatitis. Although it isn’t known if any of these genetic changes also cause hypertension, they might be connected. Hypertension also runs in families, so genetic changes may play a role in developing hypertension.

Stress is a known risk factor for both seborrheic dermatitis and hypertension. So there may be a connection between the two conditions that lies in your body’s reaction to stress and stressful life events.

Inflammation is another commonality between seborrheic dermatitis and hypertension. Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition, and a potential cause is an immune system reaction to excess Malassezia yeast — a type of yeast present on everyone’s skin. This process causes inflammation and symptoms like scaly, flaky skin.

Metabolic syndrome is the name of a condition that includes various health issues such as hypertension and also seems to be an inflammatory condition. Inflammation plays a role in causing metabolic syndrome, and metabolic syndrome can in turn trigger further inflammation. More research is needed to understand if there’s a connection between seborrheic dermatitis and hypertension caused by inflammation, and this is an area that scientists are looking into.

Seborrheic Dermatitis and Metabolic Syndrome

Some research has suggested that seborrheic dermatitis is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome, which can include hypertension.

To be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, you must have at least three of the following criteria:

• Hypertension
• High blood sugar
• Low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol
• High levels of triglycerides (a type of fat) in your blood, which can raise levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol
• Extra fat in your stomach (abdominal obesity)

If you have seborrheic dermatitis, it’s essential to be screened for these conditions at your regular medical appointments. While some of these conditions won’t cause any symptoms, your doctor can measure your blood pressure and perform routine blood testing to check your levels of blood sugar and cholesterol.

Preventing Hypertension With Seborrheic Dermatitis

If you have seborrheic dermatitis and are concerned about hypertension, talk to your health care provider. They should take blood pressure readings at your regular visits and will advise you on what to do if your readings are abnormal.

There are also steps you can take to help reduce your risk of hypertension, including:

• Exercise regularly or be active.
• Discontinue tobacco use or vaping.
• Practice stress management techniques.
• Moderate your alcohol consumption.
• Follow a balanced diet.

Managing Hypertension With Seborrheic Dermatitis

If you have hypertension and seborrheic dermatitis, it’s important to visit your primary health care provider regularly. They will monitor your hypertension and advise you on lifestyle changes and medications. Make sure to tell your doctor that you also have seborrheic dermatitis, as they will consider all of your health conditions and medications when determining a treatment plan for your hypertension.

Also, tell your dermatologist or dermatology provider if you have hypertension. This information will help them get a better understanding of your overall health as they work with you on a treatment plan to help improve your quality of life.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MySebDermTeam is the social network for people with seborrheic dermatitis and their loved ones. On MySebDermTeam, more than 5,600 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with seborrheic dermatitis.

Are you wondering about the connection between seborrheic dermatitis and hypertension? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.