Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that causes flaking of the skin. The flaking most often occurs on the scalp, on the face, and behind the ears. Sometimes thick layers of scales form on the skin.
Another name for seborrheic dermatitis is seborrhea.
Seborrheic dermatitis is one common cause of dandruff, but dandruff can also be caused by flaking of dry skin that is not related to seborrhea.
There is no one specific cause for seborrhea. Sometimes it occurs when the body has hormonal changes, or when a certain type of fungus or yeast is on the skin. People who have Parkinson's disease or epilepsy are more likely to have seborrhea. Some people who have seborrhea do not have enough of some types of vitamin B in their diets.
The symptoms vary from mild to severe. The usual symptoms are flaking of dry skin from the scalp or a buildup of waxy dead skin behind the ear lobes. Often the skin on the middle of the forehead and on either side of the nose is red, especially in skin creases. Flaking can also occur in these areas. Flaking or scaly skin may form on the eyelids at the base of the eyelashes and may be difficult to wash away.
Your healthcare provider will ask about your history of skin problems and examine you. Lab tests are usually not needed because most often seborrhea can be diagnosed with the skin exam. In some cases your skin might be tested for fungus, or you might have blood tests.
Seborrhea often comes and goes and does not need treatment. Frequent shampooing with an anti-seborrhea shampoo can help prevent flare-ups. (The active ingredient in most seborrhea shampoos is selenium sulfide.)
If treatment is necessary, it is aimed at reducing the inflammation and buildup of yeast on the skin so that there is less scaling. The treatment depends on where the seborrhea is and how severe it is. If the seborrhea is on your scalp only, dandruff shampoo containing zinc or selenium may be all you need. Leave the shampoo on your hair for the amount of time recommended on the bottle before you rinse it out. Use the shampoo only as often as recommended. Your healthcare provider may recommend a prescription antifungal shampoo if other shampoos do not help. Be sure to follow the directions for use of any of these shampoos.
Treating the scalp with shampoo may also help the seborrhea rash on nearby areas of skin, such as the forehead and eyebrows.
Steroid cream or lotion may be used to treat more severe cases of seborrhea on the scalp, sometimes in addition to dandruff shampoo. Mild steroid cream can also be put on the face to treat redness and flaking. To avoid side effects, including skin and eye damage, follow your healthcare provider's instructions when you use steroid cream. Using a steroid for a long time can have serious side effects. Use steroid medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Don’t use more or less of it than prescribed by your provider and don’t use it longer than prescribed. Don’t stop using a steroid without your provider's approval. You may have to lower your dosage slowly before stopping it.
Creams used for yeast infections are also sometimes prescribed to control seborrhea rash on the skin and scalp.
Sometimes seborrhea causes flaky skin to build up on the eyelids, especially at the base of the eyelashes. It may help to put a mixture of half no-tears shampoo and half water on the eyelids with a cotton swab every day.
Seborrhea is a problem that may last months or years. It often comes and goes. Treatment can help control the symptoms, but it may not be possible to cure the symptoms completely.
If you have dandruff and hair loss, it may be caused by ringworm instead of seborrhea. Contact your healthcare provider for treatment advice.
Follow your healthcare provider's advice and instructions.
To help control dandruff, you may also try:
Doctors do not know how to prevent seborrhea.
