Is seborrheic dermatitis contagious?

Why is yeast involved if it isn't contagious?

Malassezia is a yeast that normally lives on everyone's skin. Its growth and the skin's reaction to it are thought to contribute to seborrheic dermatitis, but the exact cause is not fully understood. Having yeast on your skin does not mean you have the condition. Antifungal treatments reduce that yeast; using them does not mean the rash is something other people can catch.13

What if the rash appears somewhere else?

Seborrheic dermatitis can affect several areas, including the eyebrows, ears, beard, skin around the nostrils and chest. Appearing in another area does not make it contagious. Dandruff is generally considered its mildest form: both cause dry or greasy flakes, but seborrheic dermatitis also causes inflammation, meaning swelling and skin discoloration, and can extend beyond the scalp.2

What should you do about it?

Check the active ingredient when choosing a dandruff shampoo, because the front of the bottle is not a treatment plan.1

1. 1For mild scalp dandruff, try a dandruff shampoo containing selenium, zinc or coal tar. Follow the product directions. General scalp treatment schedules commonly use medicated shampoo twice weekly for at least a month.
2. 2Leave the shampoo on your scalp for at least five minutes before rinsing, following any specific product or prescription instructions.
3. 3If one shampoo does not help, check its active ingredient and try a different one. For a face or body rash, see a healthcare professional to confirm the diagnosis and choose treatment.

For affected facial or body skin, use a cleanser without soap once or twice daily; a cleanser does not need a supporting cast of bathroom bottles.3

Will it go away?

Treatment can reduce itching and lessen or clear the rash, but there is no cure. In teenagers and adults, symptoms can come and go, and ongoing treatment is often needed. Stress and cold weather can trigger flares. In babies, the condition is usually called cradle cap and generally clears within weeks or months.123

When should you see a doctor?

Get an uncertain rash checked, because other conditions can look similar. Avoid scratching: broken skin can develop a separate infection. See a healthcare professional if skin becomes painful, swollen or drains fluid, if symptoms worsen, or if treatments bought without a prescription are not helping.12