How to get treatment for seborrheic dermatitis on the face? 

Table of Content:
What is seborrheic dermatitis? | Symptoms | What causes it? | How to get treatment? | Common medications | Can you get it in your eyebrows? | Can you get it in your beard? | Can you get it in the scalp? | Is cradle cap the same? | Is it contagious? | Does it cause hair loss?

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What is facial seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis (also known as facial dandruff) is characterized by the presence of dry, flaky, and sometimes greasy, yellowish flakes on the skin. It is a common skin condition that tends to affect hair bearing areas of the face or scalp particularly the eyebrows, nose creases (nasolabial folds), behind the ears, middle of the chest, and commonly the beard area in men¹.

Symptoms of facial seborrheic dermatitis

Flaky skin

One of the primary symptoms is the presence of small, white to yellowish flakes on the affected areas of the face. These flakes may resemble dandruff on the scalp.

Redness and inflammation

The affected skin areas may appear red, irritated, or inflamed. It can be accompanied by itching and discomfort. The aftermath of this can leave patients with hypopigmented or temporary lightening of the skin in the areas that were involved.

Greasy appearance

In some cases, facial dandruff may result in a greasy or oily appearance, especially in the eyebrows or around the nose.

Ring-shaped rash

In some cases a rash that is ring or “petal-shaped” may appear which is a variant that is referred to as “petaloid.”

Flare-ups

The condition may have periods of flare-ups and remission, with symptoms worsening in response to various triggers like stress, weather changes, or certain skincare products².

Do I need a prescription for seborrheic dermatitis?

Yes, in most cases you need a prescription for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis as most effective treatment options are not available over the counter.

How to get a prescription for seborrheic dermatitis?

You can get an online prescription for seborrheic dermatitis via a virtual consultation with a board-certified dermatologist. Photo-consultations take less than 5 minutes to complete and you will get an answer in less than 2 days.

What causes seborrheic dermatitis on the face?

Seborrheic dermatitis is typically caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental influences. The primary trigger often involves an inflammatory response to an excess of Malassezia yeast, which is a naturally occurring microorganism on the skin’s surface. The overgrowth of Malassezia can trigger an exaggerated immune response, leading to a fungal infection and changes in the skin³.

Certain conditions (such as psoriasis, HIV, acne, rosacea, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, alcoholism, depression, eating disorders, and recovery from a stroke or heart attack) can also increase the likelihood of a person getting seborrheic dermatitis. 

Common triggers for seborrheic dermatitis include:

• Stress
• Recovery from significant life stressors
• Excessive heat and sweat
• Hormonal fluctuations or illness
• Exposure to harsh detergents, soaps and skin care products
• Extreme hot/cold and dry weather conditions or seasonal changes⁴

Get treatment for seborrheic dermatitis via Miiskin

Click on the link to have a photo consultation with a dermatologist for only $59. You only need to take some photos and answer a clinical questionnaire. In less than 48 hours a dermatologist will review your case, you will get your treatment plan.  

Tips to help manage seborrheic dermatitis symptoms

Use a mild cleanser

Use lukewarm water and a gentle, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic facial cleanser to wash your face. Dr. Williams recommends gentle skin cleansers such as “foams” for oily skin and “hydrating formulas” for drier skin types. Avoid using hot water and harsh soaps or cleansers that can strip the skin of its natural oils and exacerbate dryness. Many people who do not regularly bathe or wash their hair suffer from this condition simply because the yeast do not get removed regularly enough from the skin from gentle cleanser and water.

Moisturize your face

Apply a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizer to your face regularly to keep the skin hydrated. Look for products that are suitable for sensitive or dry skin. Sometimes the dry flaking is not yeast driven and is simply from xerosis (skin dryness); however, a dermatologist should be able to make this distinction usually based on location and appearance. A real world example of this would be fine white scaling in the scalp that is worsened by ketoconazole shampoo since it by itself is very drying, but rather the scaling usually accompanied by itching actually improves with an emollient such as argan oil.

Apply sunscreen

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher as sunburn can cause or worsen facial dandruff by further compromising the skin barrier.

Exfoliate your skin

Gently exfoliate your face with a product containing salicylic or lactic acid to remove dead skin cells and flakes especially when thick greasy, yellow scaling is present. 

Use gentle skin care products 

Use skin care products that are suitable for sensitive skin.

Use stress management techniques

Stress can contribute to skin issues, including seborrheic dermatitis. Engage in stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.

Maintain a healthy diet

Maintain a balanced diet rich in nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, which can support overall skin health.

Make some lifestyle adjustments

Adjusting your lifestyle to get enough sleep, drink at least 8 glasses of water per day to stay hydrated, avoid the use of tobacco, and drink alcohol moderately. 

What is the best facial treatment for seborrheic dermatitis?

According to Dr. Williams, the best seborrheic dermatitis face treatment typically involves a combination of self-care measures, over-the-counter (OTC) products, and prescription medications, depending on the severity of the condition. 

Topical corticosteroids

Topical steroids (such as hydrocortisone, mometasone, desonide) are prescribed by dermatologists to help reduce redness, itching, and inflammation in the skin associated with seborrheic dermatitis⁵. Topical steroid use on the face must come with caution considering the increased risk of side effects such as steroid atrophy or thinning of the skin with long-term consistent use.

Coal tar 

Coal tar creams, shampoos and ointments are used for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, or sebopsoriasis on the scalp because they can help reduce itching and inflammation⁶. These are found over the counter.

Antifungal creams and shampoos

Antifungal creams (such as ketoconazole, ciclopirox, or clotrimazole) are effective in treating seborrheic dermatitis when the condition is associated with yeast overgrowth⁷. Ketoconazole is clinically proven and widely used for this condition and it is part of the reason we understand seborrhea’s relation to yeast. Ketoconazole 1% shampoos can be found over the counter in brands such as Nizoral.

Topical calcineurin inhibitors

Topical calcineurin inhibitors (such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus) are a class of medications used to treat various inflammatory skin conditions, especially those involving the immune system. These medications are applied directly to the skin and work by inhibiting the activity of calcineurin, an enzyme involved in immune system function⁸. Unlike topical steroids, these do not carry the risk of skin atrophy. 

Oral medications

In severe or resistant cases of seborrheic dermatitis, a dermatologist may recommend oral medications, such as oral antifungal agents. 

These prescription medications are typically reserved for more severe cases and require close medical supervision due to potential side effects.

Can you get seborrheic dermatitis in your eyebrows?

Yes, in fact this is one of the most common locations to get seborrheic dermatitis.

Here are some tips from Dr. Williams to help you manage it:

• Cleanse the whole face gently using a mild, gentle skin cleanser such as Cerave Foaming wash. Dr Williams recommends foaming washes assuming most patients with seborrheic dermatitis are on the more oily than dry side of skin types but this is not always the case. You want to cleanse your face at least once per day and if possible both morning and night as this will aid in removing excess yeast from the skin. If scaling is present, you can use either a gentle exfoliant three times weekly or consider adding a salicylic acid wash to use at night in place of the gentle skin cleanser. However, I would still use the gentle skin cleanser in the mornings.

• Another alternative approach is using ketoconazole shampoo as both a shampoo and a face wash. When the skin is flaring, Dr. Williams recommends daily use. When the maintenance phase is achieved, he recommends using this 2-3x weekly even when the skin is totally clear in order to keep the overall yeast burden low. When you are using this shampoo, you should apply it to all areas and sud them up while avoiding the eyes. Step back from shower water and leave this on skin for 3-5 minutes before rinsing completely. Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic condition and requires lifelong maintenance treatment in most cases. 

• Once the area is cleansed, apply antifungal cream or topical anti-inflammatory medications as prescribed and recommended by your doctor.
  

If you do not notice any improvement in your symptoms, you should consult a dermatologist. They may prescribe medicated ointments or creams containing steroids, antibiotics, or antifungal agents to address the underlying cause of eyelash dandruff.

Can you get seborrheic dermatitis in your beard?

Yes, you can get seborrheic dermatitis in your beard, this condition is also referred to as beard dandruff. Since a cream is quite difficult to rub into a beard, Dr. Williams usually recommends using the ketoconazole shampoo to be used as a facial wash and rubbing an ointment such as tacrolimus.

Can you get seborrheic dermatitis in the scalp? 

Yes, you can get seborrheic dermatitis in your scalp, this condition is usually referred to as dandruff. Learn more about the best treatments for scalp dandruff.

Is cradle cap seborrheic dermatitis?

Yes, cradle cap (also called infant seborrheic dermatitis) is a common and harmless skin condition that affects babies, causing yellow or white scaly patches on the scalp. It typically appears within the first year of life but often resolves on its own within a few weeks or months. This condition does not cause discomfort, itching, or pain for the baby and most cases do not require treatment, but gentle at-home care can help remove the scales. 

Is seborrheic dermatitis contagious?

Seborrheic dermatitis, like all other forms of eczema, is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from one person to another. 

Can seborrheic dermatitis cause hair loss?

According to Dr. Williams, seborrheic dermatitis typically does not directly cause hair loss. However, in some cases, without adequate treatment the inflammation and excessive itching associated with seborrheic dermatitis may lead to hair loss indirectly. 

What is the best cream for seborrheic dermatitis?

According to Dr. Williams, if your dermatologist has diagnosed you with seborrheic dermatitis, they may prescribe a combination of topical corticoids, anti-fungal creams, or topical calcineurin inhibitors.

The takeaway

Seborrheic dermatitis can affect various areas of the body, including the face, scalp, eyebrows, and even the beard. The best treatment involves a combination of self-care measures, over-the-counter (OTC) products, and prescription medications, depending on the condition’s severity. 

Medications like topical corticosteroids, coal tar products, antifungal creams, and topical calcineurin inhibitors are commonly used to manage facial symptoms. In severe cases, oral medications may be necessary but require close medical supervision due to potential side effects. 

It’s worth noting that some of these medications widely used to treat seborrheic dermatitis are also used to treat spongiotic dermatitis, another inflammatory skin condition. If you want to learn more about spongioticdermatitis and the best treatment options, we invite you to read our in-depth article “Spongiotic Dermatitis: What is it and what is the best treatment?“

Lee éste artículo en Español ¿Qué es la dermatitis seborreica y cuál es el mejor tratamiento?

Article References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seborrheic-dermatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352710
https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/seborrheic-dermatitis/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seborrheic-dermatitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352714#
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15663338/
https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/thederm/article/3675
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15786-cradle-cap-seborrheic-dermatitis-in-infants