Seborrhoeic dermatitis

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a long-term tendency to flaky, inflamed skin in oily areas, linked to a normal skin yeast called Malassezia. Ordinary dandruff is its mildest form. It flares with tiredness, stress and cold, dry weather (British Association of Dermatologists) and can't be cured — but antifungal shampoo usually controls it, and a GP can help with flare-ups.

Common signs

• Flaking from fine dandruff to thicker, yellowish or greasy scale
• Redness and itching on the scalp, eyebrows, sides of the nose, ears or chest
• Flare-ups that come and go

What usually helps

• Use an antifungal shampoo such as ketoconazole 2% twice a week for 2–4 weeks, leaving it on for a few minutes, then every 1–2 weeks to stop it returning (NHS).
• For thick scale, use a descaling product (often salicylic acid and coconut oil) a few hours before washing, as the pack directs (British Association of Dermatologists).
• Keep up maintenance washes once the scalp is clear — it often flares again when treatment stops.

Washing: Alternate your antifungal shampoo with a gentle everyday shampoo as often as you need to keep oil and scale down.

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Read the full guides

• Seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalpRed, flaky, sometimes greasy scaling on the scalp, eyebrows or sides of the nose. It can't be cured, but it can usually be controlled with antifungal shampoo — and a GP…
• Dandruff: causes, shampoos that help and when to see a GPDandruff is common, harmless and not catching — and it isn't caused by poor hygiene. Here's what the NHS and dermatologists say helps, how to use anti-dandruff shampoo p…

Ingredients worth knowing

• Ketoconazole Evidence: StrongAntifungal medicine in shampoos for dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis
• Selenium sulfide Evidence: LimitedAnti-dandruff ingredient that targets the yeast linked to flaking
• Zinc pyrithione Evidence: LimitedFormer anti-dandruff staple — banned from cosmetics in Great Britain since October 2022
• Coal tar Evidence: LimitedLong-established medicine for scaling in dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and mild scalp psoriasis
• Salicylic acid Evidence: LimitedLoosens and lifts scale in anti-dandruff shampoos and scalp treatments

Not medical advice. This guide is general information from the sources listed, not a diagnosis or a substitute for a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist. If you are worried, or symptoms are severe or not improving, get advice. Read our health information policy.

Sources

1. British Association of Dermatologists – Seborrhoeic dermatitis bad.org.uk
2. NICE CKS – Seborrhoeic dermatitis: scalp and beard cks.nice.org.uk
3. NHS – Ketoconazole: how and when to use it nhs.uk