Seborrhiec dermatits can affect the upper chest and have round, red areas in addition to slight scaling.
Seborrhiec dermatits can affect the upper chest and have round, red areas in addition to slight scaling.
This image displays the fine scaliness and redness of the nose and cheek typical of seborrheic dermatitis.
This image displays the fine scaliness and redness of the nose and cheek typical of seborrheic dermatitis.
Scaly, slightly elevated lesions of seborrheic dermatitis typically involve the hair line, scalp, and forehead. This is a severe case.
Scaly, slightly elevated lesions of seborrheic dermatitis typically involve the hair line, scalp, and forehead. This is a severe case.
The fold behind the ear is a common location for seborrheic dermatitis.
The fold behind the ear is a common location for seborrheic dermatitis.
Severe red, scaly elevations of the skin can develop a thick,
Severe red, scaly elevations of the skin can develop a thick, "waxy" crust, as shown here, just below the eye.

Graphic content

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 Seborrheic dermatitis can involve the chest and is accompanied by thin, mildly red elevations of the skin.
Seborrheic dermatitis can involve the chest and is accompanied by thin, mildly red elevations of the skin.
The fine, scaly, slightly elevated lesions of seborrheic dermatitis can be widespread on the face and scalp.
The fine, scaly, slightly elevated lesions of seborrheic dermatitis can be widespread on the face and scalp.
Seborrheic dermatitis often affects the eyelid or eyebrow regions.
Seborrheic dermatitis often affects the eyelid or eyebrow regions.
The beard area is a common location for seborrheic dermatitis as displayed in this image.
The beard area is a common location for seborrheic dermatitis as displayed in this image.
This image displays severe seborrheic dermatitis in the skin creases between the cheeks and the upper lip.
This image displays severe seborrheic dermatitis in the skin creases between the cheeks and the upper lip.
This image displays a Black patient with temporary lightening of the skin due to widespread seborrheic dermatitis.
This image displays a Black patient with temporary lightening of the skin due to widespread seborrheic dermatitis.
Seborrheic dermatitis often affects the chest in men with red, slightly scaling, round patches of both the breastbone and under the breasts.
Seborrheic dermatitis often affects the chest in men with red, slightly scaling, round patches of both the breastbone and under the breasts.
The base of the nose and central face tends to be involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
The base of the nose and central face tends to be involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
The fold between the nose and the cheek is a common location for seborrheic dermatitis.
The fold between the nose and the cheek is a common location for seborrheic dermatitis.
Redness and scaling often wraps around the nose in people with severe seborrheic dermatitis.
Redness and scaling often wraps around the nose in people with severe seborrheic dermatitis.
This image displays faint redness and scaling along the creases of the nose typical of seborrheic dermatitis on people with darker skin.
This image displays faint redness and scaling along the creases of the nose typical of seborrheic dermatitis on people with darker skin.
The red, scaling, and itching associated with seborrheic dermatitis are common in the ear canal.
The red, scaling, and itching associated with seborrheic dermatitis are common in the ear canal.

Images of Seborrheic Dermatitis (17)

Seborrhiec dermatits can affect the upper chest and have round, red areas in addition to slight scaling.
This image displays the fine scaliness and redness of the nose and cheek typical of seborrheic dermatitis.
Scaly, slightly elevated lesions of seborrheic dermatitis typically involve the hair line, scalp, and forehead. This is a severe case.
The fold behind the ear is a common location for seborrheic dermatitis.
Severe red, scaly elevations of the skin can develop a thick,

Graphic content

 Seborrheic dermatitis can involve the chest and is accompanied by thin, mildly red elevations of the skin.
The fine, scaly, slightly elevated lesions of seborrheic dermatitis can be widespread on the face and scalp.
Seborrheic dermatitis often affects the eyelid or eyebrow regions.
The beard area is a common location for seborrheic dermatitis as displayed in this image.
This image displays severe seborrheic dermatitis in the skin creases between the cheeks and the upper lip.
This image displays a Black patient with temporary lightening of the skin due to widespread seborrheic dermatitis.
Seborrheic dermatitis often affects the chest in men with red, slightly scaling, round patches of both the breastbone and under the breasts.
The base of the nose and central face tends to be involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
The fold between the nose and the cheek is a common location for seborrheic dermatitis.
Redness and scaling often wraps around the nose in people with severe seborrheic dermatitis.
This image displays faint redness and scaling along the creases of the nose typical of seborrheic dermatitis on people with darker skin.
The red, scaling, and itching associated with seborrheic dermatitis are common in the ear canal.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrhea, is a common noncontagious condition of skin areas rich in oil glands (the face, scalp, and upper trunk). Seborrheic dermatitis causes overproduction and flaking of skin cells and sometimes itchy skin. It can vary in severity from mild dandruff of the scalp to scaly patches on the skin. Normal skin yeast called Pityrosporum ovale lives in oil-rich skin regions and plays a role in this disorder; the changes seen in the skin are due to the body’s inflammatory response to the yeast on the skin. Seborrheic dermatitis seems to worsen with stress, dry weather, and infrequent shampooing. Although there is no cure for seborrheic dermatitis, control is usually possible with medicated shampoos and topical steroids (when inflammation is prominent).



Who's At Risk?

Dandruff occurs in 15%-20% of the population, and more severe seborrheic dermatitis (with flaking and inflamed skin) occurs in 3%-5% of all people. Seborrheic dermatitis affects all races / ethnicities and may be a bit worse in men. It typically starts after puberty (although babies may have a variant called cradle cap). The severity of seborrheic dermatitis peaks around age 40 and then may improve. Severe seborrheic dermatitis is frequently seen in people with Parkinson disease, central nervous system problems, and HIV infection.

Signs & Symptoms

  • The scalp is itchy and sheds white, oily skin flakes.
  • One or more of the following areas has patches of scaly skin: the scalp, hairline, forehead, eyebrows, in between the eyebrows, the area of the eyelid between the eye and the eye lashes (the free lid margin), creases of the nose and ears, ear canals, beard area, breastbone, midback, groin, and underarms. In lighter skin colors, affected areas may appear pink or red; in darker skin colors, the redness may be subtle, or affected areas may appear purplish or darker brown, but the affected areas may also look lighter in color (hypopigmented).

Seborrheic dermatitis may be:

  • Mild – only some flaking and skin color change (as outlined above) in a few small areas.
  • Moderate – several areas affected with bothersome skin color change and itch.
  • Severe – large areas of skin color change and severe itch that do not improve with self-care measures.

Self-Care Guidelines

Most cases of seborrheic dermatitis are easy to control with nonprescription home treatments. These include:

  • Frequent shampooing or a longer lather time with shampoo. If a regular daily shampoo fails, consider an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo. There are several types on the market, and one may work better for one individual than another.
  • Shampoos containing ketoconazole (Nizoral), selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue), 2% pyrithione zinc (Head & Shoulders), salicylic acid (Neutrogena T/Sal), or tar-based (Neutrogena T/Gel) compounds may be helpful. Consider occasionally rotating shampoos because the ability of how well a product works (its efficacy) can change with time.
  • If the scalp is covered with widespread, dense scale, the scale may first be removed by applying warm mineral oil or olive oil to the scalp and washing several hours later with a detergent, such as a dishwashing liquid or a tar shampoo.
  • Some over-the-counter creams will help if the medicated shampoo is not working well enough. These can be added to the shampoo until there is improvement and then can be discontinued; these creams can be used again temporarily as needed and include:
    • Creams that reduce the Pityrosporum yeast (clotrimazole [Lotrimin], miconazole [Monistat]).
    • Hydrocortisone (eg, Cortaid) cream, which may work well at first but may be less helpful if used for a long time.
  • Managing eyelid inflammation (called blepharitis) by gentle cleaning of the skin around the eyelashes (eyelid margins) with a cotton swab and baby shampoo (eg, Johnson’s Baby Shampoo).

Treatments

  • Corticosteroid creams, lotions, or solutions
  • Sulfur or sulfacetamide products, such as a wash, cream, or lotion, applied on the skin (topically)
  • Prescription-strength ketoconazole shampoo or cream
  • Tacrolimus (Protopic) ointment or pimecrolimus (Elidel) cream

Visit Urgency

Seek medical help from a dermatologist or other medical professional if there is no response to self-care measures.

Trusted Links

References

Bolognia J, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L. Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018.

James WD, Elston D, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA. Andrew’s Diseases of the Skin. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019.

Kang S, Amagai M, Bruckner AL, et al. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology. 9th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education; 2019.

Last modified on February 28th, 2023 at 8:07 pm

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