Seborrheic dermatitis on scalp

[JS1902]

Anyone else suffer from seborrheic dermatitis on their scalp? I've had this for the past 5-6 years, usually in flares. The cold windy weather over the past two months really hasn't helped things. I use Nizoral shampoo once a week which helps only for a few days so was wondering if there's any stronger and more effective treatments out there.

[Skyedriver]

Hadn't heard of it but wonder if that's what's been affecting me for the last 10 years.
dry scalp, bit scally, itchy at times I have gotten into the habit of scratching it. Thought it was just old age, maybe woolly hats etc and stopped washing it every day in case it was over washing.
Apparently you need to wash every day as it's caused by a fungus.
Not sure how foods can affect it but this is a list from Dr Google
Cheese.
Tofu.
Bread.
Cake.
Cookies.
Ketchup.
Salty chips like potato chips.

[Nickbrapp]

Check for salphates in your Shampoos, I was using “simple brand” because it’s supposed to be kind to skin but found the sulphate (what makes it bubble up) irritate my skin

I’ve since changed to Johnson’s baby shampoo and the problem of flakey and itchy scalp has gone

[toohuge]

I’ve suffered with this for years …. I also get flare ups around my nose and eyebrows too.

Stress is something that can cause it to flare up - however …. I found the following that’s really improved things recently:

Shower more frequently - twice a day for me.

In one of those showers I use Alpecin anti dandruff shampoo - wow. That stuff is great and doesn’t congeal to a gloopy mess in the drain either - it’s excellent stuff. Then use a normal shampoo at other times.

This is caused by excess oil production on your skin. I used to think the shampoos etc. were stripping away oils etc. causing the flare ups but it’s the opposite!
Try showering / washing your hair more often and see how it goes.

[alfa aficionado]

Try Selenium Sulphide shampoo - quite difficult to get now though; L’Oréal used to make an anti-dandruff shampoo that contained it, as did Head and Shoulders (Clinically Proven Solutions).

The only source of it now that I can find relatively easily is SelSun - can be bought over the counter in Boots etc, but the others used to be found on the supermarket shelves.

For around the nose / hair line try Kerium DS crème by La Roche-Posay - probably the best non-steroid option I’ve found. Daktarin Gold (ketoconazole) works too but I seem to have gotten used to as not as effective for me any longer.

[Jakey54]

Selsun here - cutting my hair really short and swapping pillow cases more frequently helped too, in particular for the effects on my face.

I seem to recall coal tar soap was once recommended but I think was banned due to possible side effects - so I use pine tar soap as a kind of alternative
- initially I thought it was helping - I’m less convinced now but am still using it as it maybe helping and it’s not expensive.

Good luck with it. I’ve had it for years and loathed
It (and to a degree, myself) over it and the difficulty diagnosing it.

Also, depending on where you live etc - I find it’s much better when on a beach holiday - in and out of the sea and sunlight works wonders for me - but it returns as soon as I’m back home.

Edited by Jakey54 on Thursday 10th March 23:08

[hmg]

T Gel coal tar shampoo worked for me.

Tried everything including very expensive stuff but this did the trick.

My advice would be go and see a proper dermatologist. GP will refer you.

[JS1902]

Thanks for the suggestions. I’ve tried various shampoos over the years, including T Gel, and the only one which has had some positive effect is Nizoral. I find that stress definitely makes it worse and oddly, so does a haircut. I will ask my GP to refer me to the dermatologist, probably be waiting six months though!

[2 GKC]

JS1902 said:

Anyone else suffer from seborrheic dermatitis on their scalp? I've had this for the past 5-6 years, usually in flares. The cold windy weather over the past two months really hasn't helped things. I use Nizoral shampoo once a week which helps only for a few days so was wondering if there's any stronger and more effective treatments out there.

Use it more frequently.

[Theraveda]

Me too; I've had it on and off for many years (>20? I forget). I get it between my eyebrows, in my moustache and beard, and in the last couple of years, in my scalp, especially at the back of my head.

I keep it under control with frequent showering/hair & face washing and if it flares up, Nizoral & Canestan HC (the latter a suggestion by my GP, despite the instructions saying not to use it on the face. Note that constant use of steroids can lead to thinning of the skin, so be sparing with it.)

Edited by Theraveda on Friday 11th March 09:37

[APOLO1]

Suffered with it on and off for about 20 years, then paid to see dermatologist she recommended

Cocois Coconut oil compound Ointment. Use it 2 times a month no more problems.

[Export56]

I think its a case of finding what works for you, after years of it with no real solution, mad itching and flakes I even tried going to bed with my head wrapped in clingfilm and oil ! I tried Selsun, it cured it within a month.

[hmg]

JS1902 said:

Thanks for the suggestions. I’ve tried various shampoos over the years, including T Gel, and the only one which has had some positive effect is Nizoral. I find that stress definitely makes it worse and oddly, so does a haircut. I will ask my GP to refer me to the dermatologist, probably be waiting six months though!

Or approx £150 to see someone privately. Although it grates to have to pay to jump the queue it was money well spent.

[alfa aficionado]

hmg said:

JS1902 said:

Thanks for the suggestions. I’ve tried various shampoos over the years, including T Gel, and the only one which has had some positive effect is Nizoral. I find that stress definitely makes it worse and oddly, so does a haircut. I will ask my GP to refer me to the dermatologist, probably be waiting six months though!

Or approx £150 to see someone privately. Although it grates to have to pay to jump the queue it was money well spent.

They’re not really gonna have much else to add that hasn’t been already mentioned here though - there are plenty of good reasons to see a dermatologist but I’m not sure this is one of them. Any reasonably competent GP should be able to go through the various options with you. There are other things as well, such as topical tacrolimus or even oral anti fungals, but I’d try the other options given here first if you haven’t already given them a go.

Edited by alfa aficionado on Friday 11th March 23:50

[gregs656]

I sporadically get this.

I always use nizoral shampoo, if I start to get it I used a mild steroid cream on the affected area, cut my hair short and shave my beard off. Shaving makes a huge difference.

I also limit sugars, and avoid things like beer.

Oh, and I stay hydrated.

It's quite depressing.

[cheeky_chops]

Had nizoral for years, dr always said the same thing, keep using it bla bla

Really fed up with it being patchy, scaley/scabs on my scalp but its not visible (though im 50 and suffering a little hair loss over last couple years). My scalp was affecting the skin on forehead, flakey eyebrows, eyes, always v dusty on bedside table. So went to dr with another issue and mentioned it - they prescribed "Betacap" and it cleared up within a few weeks! Now i just do a controlling dose twice a week.

And, as an extra bonus, i was noticing hair loss on my hands when showering but its virtually stopped that too!!