Seborrheic Dermatitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Seborrheic dermatitis, also called seborrheic eczema, is a common, chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting areas of the body rich in oil glands, foremost the scalp and face (especially the sides of the nose, eyebrows, and behind the ears) and the middle of the chest. It is characterized by yellow or white oily scales and skin redness with variable itching. The well-known dandruff is nothing but the mildest and most common form of this condition.

The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is not fully known, but it is thought to relate to the skin's reaction to a type of fungus (yeast) that lives naturally on the skin's surface and feeds on its oily secretions, in addition to other factors such as increased oil secretion and individual predisposition. It is important to emphasize that it is not caused by poor hygiene and is not contagious. Its severity increases with some factors such as stress, weather change (often worsening in winter and dry air), fatigue, and some diseases. It is common in infants (appearing as scales on the scalp known as cradle cap) and in adults, and may be more prominent in some groups.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic condition that tends to improve and relapse over periods, so it is often not a disease that is permanently cured, but it is very well controllable and not dangerous. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and control flares: on the scalp, medicated shampoos containing antifungal or exfoliating ingredients are used regularly, and on the face and body, antifungal or anti-inflammatory creams are used for short periods by the doctor's guidance. Avoiding strong irritants, managing stress, and persisting with treatment even after improvement to reduce relapses also help control it. In infants the condition often improves on its own with growth.

• Yellow or white oily scales and skin redness.
• Variable itching on the scalp, face, and chest.
• Dandruff (the mildest form).
• In infants: scales on the scalp (cradle cap).

• The skin's reaction to a fungus (yeast) living naturally on its surface.
• Increased oil secretion and individual predisposition.
• Worsens with stress, dry and cold weather, and fatigue.
• (Not caused by poor hygiene and not contagious.)

• Diagnosis is often clinical from the rash's appearance and characteristic locations.
• No tests are needed in most cases.
• Distinguishing it from psoriasis and eczema when needed.

The scalp

• Medicated antifungal or exfoliating shampoos regularly.

The face and body

• Antifungal or anti-inflammatory creams for short periods by the doctor's guidance.

Controlling flares

• Avoiding strong irritants, managing stress, and persisting with treatment to reduce relapses.

A chronic, controllable condition that is not dangerous. This content is educational and does not replace consulting a dermatologist.

• A secondary infection from intense scratching.
• Psychological and cosmetic impact when it spreads on the face.
• Recurrent flares (tends to relapse).

• Persisting with medicated shampoos and creams even after improvement.
• Avoiding strong irritants and harsh care products.
• Managing stress and skin care in dry weather.