Is seborrheic dermatitis curable?

Can it disappear permanently?

Some teenagers and adults find that seborrheic dermatitis goes away without treatment. Others have periods of clear skin followed by flares. A clear scalp or face means the symptoms have settled, not necessarily that the condition has gone for good. A product promising a permanent cure offers more than treatment can deliver, however authoritative the font looks.1

Flares often happen in winter and early spring, and symptoms can disappear in warm, humid weather. Stress can also trigger flares. Fatigue, weather extremes, infrequent shampooing and lotions containing alcohol can aggravate symptoms, so noticing what happens before a flare can help you identify changes worth making.12

How do you get symptoms under control?

Treatment can lessen or clear the rash, itch and swelling, and help prevent flares. For scalp symptoms, medicated shampoos containing selenium sulfide or zinc pyrithione can help manage seborrheic dermatitis. If products available without a prescription are not helping, a dermatologist can consider a stronger medicated shampoo. Medicated creams, ointments and foams are other options for reducing itching, inflammation and irritation.34

The right treatment depends on the right diagnosis. An itchy scalp can also come from irritation caused by hair products or another scalp condition. Shampoo, conditioner and styling products can themselves cause irritation. Collecting more bottles is not a substitute for identifying the cause, even if the bathroom starts looking like a shampoo showroom.4

Does a prescription steroid cure it?

No. Mometasone is a prescription corticosteroid, a medicine that reduces skin inflammation rather than curing the underlying condition. It comes as a cream, ointment or scalp lotion and is usually prescribed when milder steroids have not worked. Use mometasone only if prescribed for you, and follow the instructions. Use it on your face, over large areas or for long periods only with your doctor's approval. Children should not use it for more than five days unless a doctor approves. If you have used it for a long time, your doctor can advise whether to reduce it gradually.5

What should you do between treatments?

General care for a rash means gentle cleansing with warm rather than hot water, followed by patting dry instead of rubbing. Avoid scrubbing, and stop recently added cosmetics or lotions. If facial flaking looks like ordinary dryness, do not try to scrub it away: exfoliation can remove more skin than intended and leave damaged skin needing to heal. Wet, red facial patches deserve a medical assessment rather than another exfoliant.26

What about cradle cap?

Wash your baby's hair daily with a mild shampoo and gently rub the scalp with your fingers or a soft brush. Cradle cap usually settles on its own after a few months. Severe cases can need a prescription shampoo or cream from a healthcare professional.7

When should you see a doctor?

Arrange an assessment if home treatment is not helping, symptoms worsen, or scalp itching keeps returning, especially with hair loss or pain. Seek medical care for swelling, streaks of redness or very tender skin, which can indicate infection. Untreated scale can thicken, and scratching can lead to infection. On darker skin, early treatment can also help prevent dark spots and patches. Write down your symptoms and when they occur before your appointment.124