Seborrheic dermatitis (also known as dandruff or seborrheic eczema) is a common, noncontagious skin condition that primarily affects the scalp. It causes symptoms like skin inflammation, scaly patches, and persistent flaking.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292f75a892-662e-440c-bcfd-7b128f426223 The condition can develop at any age, but it’s most common in infants and people ages 30 to 60. Seborrheic dermatitis can flare up from time to time in response to certain triggers. You may need to use medicated shampoo or other treatments to manage symptom flares.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d2e94494-795d-49a6-8af2-5e3a62ccc3af
Types of Seborrheic Dermatitis Types The types of seborrheic dermatitis are characterized by age. They include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629dc2bd651-c86a-4386-aed6-7424459ad249 Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis Seborrheic dermatitis in infants is commonly referred to as cradle cap. It looks like scaly, greasy patches on the scalp. It can also be found in the diaper area, back, chest, or anywhere the skin folds or creases. Adult Seborrheic Dermatitis In this age group, seborrheic dermatitis most often appears on the scalp, causing stubborn dandruff . It can also develop on the face or anywhere on the body with oily skin, except the palms and soles of the feet.
Signs and Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis Symptoms The symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis can appear in many areas of the body, but most often affect the scalp. Signs and symptoms include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629dba6cb26-52a6-4b44-985d-8af9e6b215e2e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762980830835-eef3-4e5a-9cfb-9a61e2fdefb1 Crusty yellow scales on an infant’s head (cradle cap) In adults, dandruff (itchy white flakes of skin) on the scalp, hair, eyebrows, mustache, or beard Oily skin patches covered in white or yellow flakes or crust on the scalp, eyebrows, face, sides of the nose, eyelids, armpits, chest, under the breasts, or groin Rash that may appear red in lighter skin tones or pink, purple, or lighter in brown or Black skine60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762917f3daac-ef5d-483b-b441-76eb4a29d6e0 Itchy skin (pruritus) Scales and redness around eyelids ( blepharitis ) Thick pinkish plaques or scales on the face Flaky, ring-shaped patches on the chest or hairline Redness in the groin, armpits, and beneath the breasts Hair follicle inflammation in the cheeks and chest
Causes and Risk Factors of Seborrheic Dermatitis Causes Experts don’t know the exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis, but they think several factors could play a role. These include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a773c9de-7d66-42b0-9ba4-4e66218930d4e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299a36473c-7bc2-492a-93ca-de1b2f98b48e Inflammatory reaction to Malassezia (yeast) overgrowth on the skin High androgen hormone levels Increased skin lipids (fats) Risk factors for seborrheic dermatitis are wide-ranging and can trigger a flare. These may include genetics, chronic health conditions, environmental factors, and certain medications.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762904c91d38-b34a-4e32-9052-ffa1623601b4e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299a36473c-7bc2-492a-93ca-de1b2f98b48ee60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f8f7e662-fbcd-43a2-8a9c-2c8b4b047146 Genetic Factors Genetic risk factors for seborrheic dermatitis include: Assigned male at birth Family history of seborrheic dermatitis and other skin disorders Down syndrome Chronic Health Conditions Chronic health conditions that raise your risk for seborrheic dermatitis include: Neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy Immunosuppressive disorders like HIV/AIDS Other skin disorders like psoriasis , acne , or rosacea Alcohol addiction Depression Eating disorders Stroke or heart attack Stress and fatigue Environmental Factors Environmental risk factors for seborrheic dermatitis include: Seasonal changes Using alcohol-based lotions Use of harsh detergents, chemicals, soaps, or hairstyling products Medication Some medications can also put you at higher risk for seborrheic dermatitis, including lithium (a mood-stabilizing drug) and immunosuppressants.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f8f7e662-fbcd-43a2-8a9c-2c8b4b047146
How Is Seborrheic Dermatitis Diagnosed? Diagnosis Providers can often diagnose seborrheic dermatitis simply by asking about your or your baby’s symptoms and examining the affected areas. No blood, urine, or imaging tests are needed. In some cases, you may need to have a biopsy (a small piece of affected skin removed for examination), especially if your skin doesn’t respond to treatment. A skin biopsy can help rule out other skin conditions that may be causing your symptoms.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762923df511a-348a-49b2-94d3-7447cb078d79e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762972437fa7-65a0-41a9-8052-53ca2273cbe7
Treatment and Medication Options for Seborrheic Dermatitis Treatment Seborrheic dermatitis in infants often needs no treatment. But for infants who seem uncomfortable and scratch at their scalp, consult a pediatrician or dermatologist. They may recommend a prescription shampoo or lotion in some cases.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c9b1bb18-8039-4fac-95bc-5270c2c27bbc Teens and adults with seborrheic dermatitis may need medicated shampoos, creams, or ointments to help manage their symptoms.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291c68512e-09a3-49fd-8927-c4fbe087c5fd Medication Options Many medication treatments for seborrheic dermatitis are available over the counter, but others require a prescription. Medicated Shampoos These contain compounds designed to manage flakes.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291c68512e-09a3-49fd-8927-c4fbe087c5fde60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297b1809e9-b472-4221-807b-968751d7de77 selenium zinc pyrithione coal tar ciclopirox (Loprox) ketoconazole (Nizoral) clobetasol (Clobex) Topical Antifungals These treatment options help reduce yeast overgrowth on your scalp.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291c68512e-09a3-49fd-8927-c4fbe087c5fde60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762996ace89e-f13e-4153-941c-f84f48389d92 ciclopirox ketoconazole sertaconazole Topical Corticosteroids These drugs help decrease inflammation and manage flares. They’re only intended for temporary use because, over time, they can cause the skin to thin.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291c68512e-09a3-49fd-8927-c4fbe087c5fde60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762996ace89e-f13e-4153-941c-f84f48389d92 betamethasone valerate (Betnovate) desonide (Desowen, Desonate) fluocinolone (Capex, Synalar) hydrocortisone clobetasol (Clobex, Temovate) betamethasone valerate (Luxiq) fluocinolone solution (Synalar) Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors These drugs suppress the immune system, which helps reduce the inflammation that’s contributing to your symptoms.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291c68512e-09a3-49fd-8927-c4fbe087c5fd pimecrolimus cream (Elidel) tacrolimus ointment (Protopic) Nonsteroidal PDE-4 Inhibitors These drugs also suppress the immune system, which helps reduce the inflammation that’s contributing to your symptoms.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762925aac886-6376-44fd-933d-d914ac591e43 roflumilast (Zoryve) Treatments for Severe Seborrheic Dermatitis For severe cases of seborrheic dermatitis, a provider may recommend an oral medication or ultraviolet light therapy to decrease skin inflammation. During light therapy, a specific wavelength of ultraviolet light is administered to reduce skin inflammation.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291c68512e-09a3-49fd-8927-c4fbe087c5fde60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297b1809e9-b472-4221-807b-968751d7de77
Complementary and Integrative Therapies Before trying a medication, some adults with seborrheic dermatitis first try a shampoo with tea tree oil or apply aloe vera gel to the affected areas. Since research hasn’t proven these are effective for seborrheic dermatitis, it’s always a good idea to check with your provider before trying anything new.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976298a0c24d3-d119-44fc-9086-172fc874ea8d
Prevention of Seborrheic Dermatitis Prevention Seborrheic dermatitis can’t be prevented. However, there are a few lifestyle steps you can take to reduce your risk, including getting enough sleep each night, spending a few minutes out in sunshine each day (not midday sun, which has a higher risk for sunburn), and doing your best to manage stress .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762924a678da-73e2-4182-9887-4d88f605072d
Lifestyle Changes for Seborrheic Dermatitis Lifestyle Changes For infants with cradle cap, parents can apply mineral oil or petroleum jelly to scaly areas, which loosens them.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762959f56cd2-62da-455c-b311-ba734a5ab801 It also helps to wash their scalp once daily with baby shampoo and gently brush their hair with a soft brush several times a day. Try to avoid scratching the skin with a brunch, which can lead to an infection.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293618b619-2b93-48c8-b801-fb295bb84f71 To help prevent flare-ups, adults and teens can adopt the following lifestyle practices:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762929498aa5-9e30-4476-bf44-dcc5ebe26dde Wash your scalp and facial hair regularly. Avoid using hairstyling products if your symptoms are flaring up. Don’t use alcohol-based skin and hair products. Gently clean inflamed or scaly eyelids every night with baby shampoo. Try applying mineral oil, peanut oil, or olive oil to your scalp for one to three hours to soften flakes, then brush or comb your hair and wash it afterward to remove flakes
How Long Does Seborrheic Dermatitis Last? Prognosis and Outlook For infants, cradle cap and seborrheic dermatitis in other locations typically develops in the first three months of life. Most cases go away by the baby’s first birthday. In teens and adults, this skin condition flares up from time to time, but has no cure.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762986aaa615-706e-4bf1-80f2-6c5795f8583f These flare-ups can get better with or without treatment, and their frequency varies. Flare-ups happen most often in winter and early spring, but you may notice fewer symptoms in warm and humid weather.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d9828a00-7776-473b-8c6e-7e60e9e2dde9 Seborrheic dermatitis can cause irritation during flares, but it can be managed with treatment, and it causes no permanent hair loss.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629529c56e3-3920-4c1d-a68c-fe6bfa8f6e7f
Research and Statistics: Who Has Seborrheic Dermatitis? Research and Statistics About 1 in 10 people have seborrheic dermatitis. As mentioned, it’s most common in infants and adults aged 30 to 60.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629eac29feb-01fe-4333-90be-42630e5fce41 It’s especially common in adults age 50 or older.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ba522fcd-1afe-495d-834f-560e084a7026 Men experience symptoms more often than women.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629eac29feb-01fe-4333-90be-42630e5fce41 Research on the prevalence of seborrheic dermatitis by race or ethnicity varies. Some research suggests white people are more likely to get it, while other research suggests Black people have a higher risk.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629eac29feb-01fe-4333-90be-42630e5fce41e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ba522fcd-1afe-495d-834f-560e084a7026 For people with early HIV infection, 35 percent have seborrheic dermatitis, but this goes up to 85 percent once the virus progresses to AIDS.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629af1176c7-b84a-4b32-99aa-b09e6860fd99
Disparities and Inequities in Seborrheic Dermatitis Disparities Racial and ethnic disparities exist for many dermatologic conditions, including seborrheic dermatitis.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629815dc6da-4015-46c6-a185-ee40c0385ace Research suggests that seborrheic dermatitis symptoms can appear differently in people with darker skin tones compared with people with lighter skin tones, and that not all dermatology practitioners have specific knowledge about these differences.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762919323c12-3d0c-4418-bc3b-6e0fc547eb9f People with darker skin tones are more likely to experience inequities in care based on socioeconomic factors and gaps in education about skin conditions. The underrepresentation of minority groups among dermatology professionals is also a contributor to these inequities.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629bf302e85-f2ed-43da-a31c-b1b071b35860 In addition, research suggests that, when prescribing treatment, some providers may use a general approach without considering cultural factors that often affect treatment. For example, most antifungal shampoos are designed to be used several times per week, but many Black women with natural, nontraction hairstyles only need to wash their hair every 14 days, on average. Additionally, research shows people of Asian origin may have more sensitivity to irritants in topical medications compared with white people.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629815dc6da-4015-46c6-a185-ee40c0385ace It’s important for providers to speak openly with their patients of color and to tailor treatment to match their needs, lifestyle, and cultural factors as closely as possible.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629815dc6da-4015-46c6-a185-ee40c0385ace
Related Conditions Seborrheic Dermatitis Related Conditions Seborrheic dermatitis can cause similar symptoms to the following conditions:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762941cf61d4-47cb-4e3c-99a7-125f877e729c Psoriasis Rosacea Contact dermatitis Lupus Acne Darier disease (a rare genetic disorder causing wart-like bumps on the body) Staphylococcal blepharitis (an inflammation of the eyelids caused by a type of bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus ) The Takeaway Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic, noncontagious skin condition that causes cradle cap among infants and, among adults, flaking on the scalp and other areas of the body, skin inflammation, and itching. Risk factors for seborrheic dermatitis include being male and having a family history of seborrheic dermatitis. It can also be triggered by depression, stress, season changes, and immunosuppressive or neurological health conditions, among other factors. To treat seborrheic dermatitis, providers may recommend medicated shampoos, lotions, or ointments. In more severe cases, oral medication or light therapy may be recommended. If you have symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, let your healthcare provider know. They can help you develop a plan to keep your symptoms at bay.
Resources We Trust Mayo Clinic: Seborrheic Dermatitis: Symptoms and CausesCleveland Clinic: Seborrheic DermatitisNational Eczema Society: Seborrhoeic Dermatitis in AdultsNational Eczema Association: Seborrheic DermatitisAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association: Seborrheic Dermatitis: Overview
