Seborrheic Dermatitis Treatment: What You Need to Know

Whether on yourself or on your loved ones, it’s never a good thing to have dandruff and be accused of having bad hygiene. What’s worse is that sometimes those scaly, stubborn crusts and red patches on your scalp could be a sign of a more serious skin condition, such as Seborrheic Dermatitis.

So, if you’re concerned about having clean, clear, and healthy skin, scalp, and hair, do keep reading to find out more about what we have to offer: a natural shampoo for seborrheic dermatitis, herbal soap, and moisturizing oils and lotions.

But before we discuss treatment options, we’ll have to first understand what seborrheic dermatitis is to better comprehend what this condition does to the body.

What is Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis is categorized as a chronic type of eczema, which is why it is also known as seborrheic eczema and seborrheic psoriasis.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common long-term skin condition that comes about in the oily areas of the skin, where most of the body’s sebaceous glands are located. Though it mainly affects the scalp, seborrheic dermatitis can also infect the body, from the scalp to the face and chest.

While the skin condition’s terminology sounds something to be concerned about, seborrheic dermatitis doesn’t actually affect your overall health and well-being. But as with most hair conditions, it can cause discomfort and affect your confidence.

Seborrheic dermatitis primarily causes reddish skin, and when irritated, can worsen into patches of scaling skin. It also manifests in the scalp as dandruff.

Seborrheic Dermatitis Causes

Adult men aged 30-60 are likely to get seborrheic dermatitis, and these flare-ups can last throughout the years, wherein one will experience it occurring in patterns.

Meanwhile, babies 3 months and younger are susceptible to its infant version: cradle cap or crib cap. It will usually manifest in babies a few weeks after being born and will eventually fade away after a couple of weeks, but it can also last for months. The condition can also be brought about by the hormonal changes that the mother experiences during pregnancy, which can trigger the infant’s oil glands, causing it to overproduce oil in the skin.

And while the exact causes of seborrheic dermatitis have yet to be discovered, the medical community pinpoints two possible reasons that serve as the driving factors of the skin condition:

• Overproduction of oil from the sebaceous glands, which leads to excess volumes of oil, irritating the skin and causing it to be greasy.
• Abnormal reproduction of Malassezia, which are lipophilic yeasts that inhabit about 90% of adults and usually do not cause any harm to the body, but under certain conditions, can be invasive and cause inflammation in the skin.

Though it has yet to be proven, seborrheic dermatitis is primarily thought to be the result of this abnormal inflammatory response to Malassezia, even as it’s a type of yeast that’s normally found on the skin.

Malassezia yeast, a genus of fungi, is also formerly referred to as Pityrosporum, which lives on the skin of animals and humans. When it overgrows, the body’s immune system reacts to it, which then leads to inflammation in the skin.

There can be several triggers for seborrheic dermatitis, such as specific medical conditions not limited to the following:

• Psoriasis
• Pimples and acne
• Rosacea
• Parkinson’s disease
• Epilepsy
• HIV
• Anxiety and depression
• Poor eating habits
• Recovering from cardiac arrest or stroke

As with eczema, there are a couple of things that can aggravate or make the affected skin itch more and produce more flakes, such as:

• Genes
• Change in season, especially during the cold or dry season
• Stress
• Hormonal changes
• Harsh detergents and chemical compounds in solvents and soaps
• Specific medications, such as psoralen, interferon, or lithium
• Alcohol and certain unhealthy lifestyle choices

In general, seborrheic dermatitis is a long-term skin condition, which will require long-term treatment corresponding to the severity of symptoms. That being said, if you are experiencing the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, it is recommended that you see a doctor or specialist.

The condition can be managed with an effective skincare regimen that addresses its potential triggers—but healing has to begin with knowing its causes and how it manifests in the body.

The Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis

The main symptoms of this skin condition include:

• Flakes of skin on scalp, eyebrows or facial hair
• Itching or stinging
• Redness of skin

Seborrheic dermatitis appears to be similar to eczema and dandruff, but tends to be itchier and inflamed.

To be sure, it is always best to consult with a dermatologist. It is also advisable to seek the help of experts when seborrheic dermatitis leads to anxiety or lack of sleep.

Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis or Cradle Cap in Infants

Cradle cap manifests in infants through patches of scaling that appear greasy on the scalp, but it also appears on their bottom area, which is usually misconstrued as simple diaper rash or contact dermatitis.

Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis in Teens and Adults

As mentioned earlier, seborrheic dermatitis often develops on parts of the skin where there is excess oil, so in teens and adults, this usually occurs in the scalp, where the main symptoms appear. From redness, to inflammation, and grease-covered scales, the symptoms will manifest on different parts of the body:

• Nose and the areas surrounding it
• Around the eyebrows
• Around the ears
• Chest area
• Upper back
• Armpits
• Groin area

Due to the various triggers of seborrheic dermatitis, its symptoms can manifest in different ways from person to person, with different parts of the body getting affected. The symptoms, however, will often carry a distinct appearance, which include the following:

• White and yellow patches of scaling that turn into flakes or dandruff
• Erythematous plaques, or elevated patches of crusted skin, that turn greasy
• Excessively oily and greasy skin
• Redness and inflammation
• Irritated and itchy skin
• Hair loss in the affected patches of skin

With the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis appearing on the different parts of the body, here is a quick overview for you to take note.

Seborrheic Dermatitis on the Scalp

As the most commonplace area of the body affected by seborrheic dermatitis, the scalp and hairline can experience varying levels of dandruff and flaking due to the thick patches of dried skin. It will be visible in the hair and dark-colored clothes, especially with more severe conditions.

Erythematous plaques, meanwhile, can also develop around the scalp. When left untreated, the patches of crusted skin can thicken, turn yellow, and overproduce oil. This can possibly lead to infections, which will only worsen over time.

Seborrheic Dermatitis on the Face

Similar to the symptoms in the scalp, seborrheic dermatitis can also appear on the face, specifically in the areas with hair growth, such as the eyebrows, eyelashes, mustaches, and beards. However, symptoms can also appear even in areas of the face without any hair, such as the forehead, ears, mouth, and nose.

That being said, it will appear as reddish and swollen skin, which can worsen into yellowing and crusting patches of scaling.

Watching Out for the Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis in the Body

Apart from the scalp and face, seborrheic dermatitis can appear in other areas of the body too, since its causes can also be attributed to the sebaceous glands’ overproduction of natural oils (sebum) in the body. It can appear in the trunk, abdomen, back, and around the skin folds of the body, such as the armpits, groin area, or under the breast.

Once you’re aware of how this skin condition manifests in the body and what can trigger flare-ups, confirming with a doctor and getting treatment options can help manage the symptoms.

Seborrheic Dermatitis Treatment & Prevention

Although seborrheic dermatitis may be long-term, a little self-love and good skin care does wonders for treatment and prevention. Manage seborrheic dermatitis in the scalp, hair, and body by knowing your triggers.

Medicated solutions with strong antifungal properties are your best bet against this skin condition. Aside from using a specialized dandruff shampoo, you can always opt for more natural alternatives.

Moringa-O²’s hair care system carries a powerful blend of Moringa, Olive Oil, and Omega from Sunflower Oil to safely infuse your scalp with proper nourishment and defense against fungi and bacteria.

How to Treat Seborrheic Dermatitis?

With a gentle and effective skincare regimen, managing the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis can help make life easier. Living a healthy lifestyle in general, such as avoiding alcohol, watching your food intake, getting enough sleep, and controlling stressors will be beneficial to your skin and overall health.

You can use a cleansing product with around 2% zinc pyrithone and wash the affected parts of the body. Follow this up with a gentle moisturizing lotion.

With Moringa-O²’s Herbal Soap, which you can use on the face and body, you get to enjoy an herbal product with multiple antioxidant properties—perfect for dry and sensitive skin. It offers a gentle cleansing action with a wide range of vitamins and minerals that provide you with clear, clean, and healthy skin.

After bathing and washing the affected areas of the body, you can complement the healing effects of the moringa soap with our Herbal Moisturizing Lotion. Packed with powerful herbal actives, 100% safe to use, paraben-free, and dermatologically tested, the malunggay lotion provides a combination of moringa oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil for people with dry, dull, or sensitive skin.

Effectively lock in moisture in the skin with the Herbal Soap and Moisturizing Lotion to provide better water retention and address dryness. You can also use Moringa-O²’s Herbal Therapy Oil for Hair, Scalp, and Skin to amplify moisturization.

The Moringa Herbal Therapy Oil for Hair, Scalp, and Skin delivers a wide range of health benefits that include protection from free radicals, nourishing herbal vitamins and minerals, and improved moisturization. Through its quick absorbing formula, you can alleviate the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis by using the therapy oil after bathing.

As for more severe symptoms, ongoing treatment solutions will likely include topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. In such cases, it is recommended to see specialists for prescription medications.

Treating Seborrheic Dermatitis or Crib Cap in Infants

For the most part, babies will have more sensitive scalp and skin when compared to teens and adults, which will warrant a gentler skincare solution. This means using emollients like mineral oils to gently break scaling in the scalp to get rid of flaking and prevent further infections due to Crib or Cradle Cap.

That being said, infants with this condition will not require any medical treatment, as it does go away on its own within six months. However, we understand how concerning it must feel to see your baby experience the symptoms of Crib Cap.

Here’s how you can manage seborrheic dermatitis in babies:

• Wash your baby’s hair with a gentle and mild formula
• Make sure to thoroughly rinse the hair and scalp
• Massage your baby’s scalp with a soft brush to break the patches of scales and built-up dandruff

With a healthy combination of nature’s powerful extracts, you can use Moringa-O²’s range of haircare products, which offers a gentle yet effective solution for dandruff and flaking. Massage the shampoo in your baby’s hair and scalp to wash off the flakes.

It is also recommended to seek medical advice prior to any application of over-the-counter cortisone and antifungal ointments or creams on your baby’s scalp. It bears noting that there can be some toxic compounds that might be harmful to an infant’s skin once absorbed, such as anti-dandruff shampoos with salicylic acids.

Unlike in teens and adults, treating seborrheic dermatitis in infants will be a much simpler process. It is important to consider how treating seborrheic dermatitis is targeted at addressing redness and irritation, such as clearing the skin of scaling, itchiness, and swelling.

Dermatologists will recommend topical products, such as antifungal creams or medicated shampoos, to address mild cases of flaking and dandruff.

Using a Natural Shampoo for Seborrheic Dermatitis in the Scalp and Hair

In most cases of seborrheic dermatitis, especially with mild symptoms, homecare treatments will suffice. So, in taking care of your scalp and hair at home, Moringa-O² is here to provide you with a gentle haircare system to address dry skin, scalp, and hair through an herbal anti-dandruff formula.

The 2-in-1 Herbal Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner with Argan Oil provides you with an effective shampoo for seborrheic dermatitis. By normalizing the production of sebum in the scalp, the herbal shampoo and conditioner reduces itchiness, irritation, and flaking—alleviating the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis. With a soothing and cooling effect, you get to rebalance the natural oils in the scalp and manage the grease and dryness that often result into flaking and dandruff.

As a seborrheic dermatitis shampoo, the 2-in-1 haircare solution from Moringa-O² makes use of nature’s essential extracts, such as moringa, olive, sunflower, and argan oil to deliver all the health benefits to your scalp, skin, and hair. This includes:

• Vitamins A, B, C, D
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Iron
• Zinc
• Phosphorous
• Magnesium
• Healthy fatty acids and antioxidants

Using the herbal anti-dandruff shampoo everyday can help you manage the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis for a clear, healthy, and dandruff-free scalp. Discover the Moringa-O² hair care regimen for you today!

Other Home Remedies for Seborrheic Dermatitis

If using an herbal shampoo, soap, or moisturizing oils and lotions for seborrheic dermatitis does not do wonders for your scalp, skin, or hair, here are more home treatments that you can opt for to manage the condition:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal and anti-itch creams or lotions
• Hypoallergenic and paraben-free soaps and detergents
• Carefully and deliberately washing and rinsing the scalp and hair
• Shaving off the hair in affected areas, such as thick beards or moustaches
• Switching to loose clothing made of cotton fabrics to address irritation

Conclusively speaking, if these home remedies fail to address the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, you will have to visit a doctor to get prescription medication, which can include any of the following:

• Shampoos, ointments, and creams that contain hydrocortisone, fluocinolone, or desonide
• Antifungal medications
• Metronidazole creams and gels
• Psoralen in oral or topical forms and light therapy

When to Seek Medical Attention for Seborrheic Dermatitis

Should these home remedies not work in your favor and the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis do not subside, or become too unmanageable, here are the reasons for you to consult a doctor:

• Anti-dandruff shampoos and conditioners do not reduce flaking
• The affected areas of the body turn bright red
• The affected areas of the body sting and are unbearably painful
• The affected areas of the body produce pus, fluid, or appear in thick crusts
• There is extreme discomfort

These same reasons also apply to symptoms of Cradle Cap, so it will be best to bring your baby to a doctor as well.

Moringa-O²’s Hair and Skincare Tips for Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic condition that will require consistent treatment, so it will be to your advantage if you get to manage all the triggers that can trigger flare-ups. There are going to be times when your skin is clear and free of any symptoms, so as much as possible, prolong these periods when you can.

Once you have a skin, scalp, and hair care routine that helps you manage the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, you can then mitigate the irritating effects and live more comfortably.

Find out what your triggers are and manage the symptoms, such as dryness, excessive oil production, dandruff, and flaking with Moringa-O².

Read more of our skin and hair care tips and don’t hesitate to contact us for any questions or inquiries!