Alot of the research on seb derm supports that it is the waste material left
behind from fungus feeding on our sebum that causes the inflammation. So
why do some people get seb derm inflammation yet most don’t? the reasoning
behind that is that those with seb derm have a t-cell defect and that
becasue of this defect, our skin "overreacts" to stimuli when it really
should not be overreacting.

This theory is further supported by the fact that anti-fungal shampoos and
creams are effective to a degree in treating seb derm–they are not cures
becasue the fungus will always grow back and because the constant seb derm
inflammation destroys the skins protective barrier making us much more
susceptible to secondary bacterial and fungal infections and contact

dermatitis–the vicous cycle.

Topical and systemic anti-inflammatories are also helpful becuase they
counteract our overreactive inflammatory skin cellls–again no cure as we
all know about the dreaded rebound effect of steroids and the possibility of
steroid induced rosacea–however, supposedly, Elidel and Protopic are not
supposed to have these side effects though personally I beleive they are
much less effective at reducing the inflammation than even low grade
steroids like Desowen and hydrocortisone.

RJ