No matter its origin, seborrheic dermatitis is one of the peskiest skin conditions to have to deal with. It is a great source of stress and discomfort for anyone that suffers from it. 

And, before you ask - Yes, I am speaking from experience!  

Waking up with those yellowy-white skin flakes just below your eyebrows, along your hairline, or all-around your shoulders, is one of the most unpleasant sensations of both itchiness and embarrassment you can experience. 

And the worst part? 

It never goes away on its own. 

But, to tone down on the doom and gloom – there are plenty of treatment options out there, both chemical and organic.

 Managing your seborrheic dermatitis is actually not that difficult once you get a good haircare routine going! 

Here’s everything you need to know:

Table of Contents:

• What is Seborrheic Dermatitis?
• Seborrheic Dermatitis vs. Psoriasis
• Seborrheic Dermatitis on Eyebrows
• Main Treatment Options for Seborrheic Dermatitis
• Alternative Treatments for Seborrheic Dermatitis

What is Seborrheic Dermatitis?

This skin condition causes the skin to shed rapidly greasy yellow flakes accompanied by dry skin and itchiness. 

It can occur in different areas of the body, but most commonly, it happens on the scalp. 

While there are treatment options for seborrheic dermatitis, it can (and usually does) flare up periodically and needs constant care. 

Seborrheic dermatitis mostly happens to infants up to three months old and middle-aged adults, especially men. Those with oily skin are also more prone to suffer from this condition. 

Additionally, extreme weather conditions or any underlying health conditions can also make seborrheic dermatitis worse. 

While the exact cause of our scalp’s seborrheic dermatitis is still unknown, researchers have formulated a few theories that identify the following as the most common culprits:

• Genetics
• Malassezia - yeast present in everyone’s skin that can cause harm if overgrown
• Oily skin
• Overproduction of skin lipids
• Skin products that contain alcohol
• Increased levels of androgens - hormones responsible for growth and reproduction
• Stress
• Dry climate

Seborrheic Dermatitis vs. Psoriasis

While the two conditions might look similar, both showing themselves through red, flakey, and inflamed skin, psoriasis is rather rare.  

When it comes to psoriasis, the scales are thicker and better defined. 

It can also happen for the two skin conditions to appear at the same time. This occurrence is called sebopsoriasis. 

In this situation, both white/yellow scales and silver scales cover the skin, together with the red skin and itchiness associated with both skin conditions. 

Seborrheic Dermatitis on Eyebrows

We’ve now gone through what seborrheic dermatitis is and unveiled the science behind it. 

By this point, you’ve probably realized what the ‘eyebrow dandruff’ that falls off every time you scratch the inflamed skin just under your eyebrows is. 

But there’s no need to worry! 

Eyebrow dandruff, just like all the other manifestations of seborrheic dermatitis, is a surprisingly common occurrence since the condition can appear anywhere on the body where there is hair. 

Most importantly, you now know that reaching to exfoliate your itchy, dry, and flakey area will not help you. Fortunately, you can treat it easily 

Here’s what you can do to soothe your symptoms and prevent those pesky flakes from reappearing. 

Main Treatment Options for Seborrheic Dermatitis

Right off the bat, babies are luckier – for them, the skin condition just goes away on its own as their skin matures along with the rest of their body. 

Adults, on the other hand, aren’t as lucky. Seborrheic dermatitis does not go away by itself, and there are different types of treatments depending on the area where it appears and on its severity. 

These “monitoring” treatments often come in the form of medication prescriptions given by a licensed dermatologist – whom you are advised to go to if you believe you are suffering from seborrheic dermatitis.

Alternatively, if your condition is less severe, there may be over-the-counter pharmaceuticals such as pills or specialized shampoos you can use to keep it under control. 

However, always remember that this condition needs constant care, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution that will keep it at bay through a one-off treatment. 

Most of the time, over-the-counter shampoos with special ingredients are recommended for treatment. Sometimes, doctors might recommend using shampoos with antifungal properties, such as ones containing ketoconazole every time you wash your hair until the dandruff is gone, as well as to prevent the condition from coming back. 

The frequency of use can vary from twice or once a week to every two weeks, depending on scalp sensitivity. 

When seborrheic dermatitis appears on the face and body, treatments are usually found in antifungal lotions that can be used topically according to a specialist’s instructions. 

Alternative Treatments for Seborrheic Dermatitis

If you’re not too big on traditional medication, you may also try to reduce the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis with the help of natural ingredients:

Aloe Vera 

With its anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera might be effective for treating the incipient stages of this skin condition. Products infused with aloe vera used once in a while can help prevent flare-ups. 

Apple cider vinegar

Rinsing out your hair with diluted apple cider vinegar deserves to be considered as a natural treatment as well, thanks to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties. 

Essential oils

Tea tree oil is a powerful antifungal ingredient, and you can mix it with your shampoo in an attempt to treat seborrheic dermatitis. Other essential oils with antifungal properties are clove, thyme, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus.

Castor oil 

Owing to its anti-inflammatory and antifungal powers, castor oil might be exactly what you’re looking for when fighting dandruff caused by seborrheic dermatitis. It can provide some much-needed moisture to the dry, irritated scalp. 

More than that, castor oil will not only help with your scalp health, but it will help with the overall appearance of your hair too. 

It is renowned for its potential to accelerate hair growth, give shine and reduce frizz. 

Coconut oil

This organic oil is also an excellent natural alternative treatment – it’s incredible for dry skin and can help moisturize the scalp. 

However, coconut oil can also clog pores and cause inflammation, so beware of your skin type and coconut oil tolerance. 

Explore the WOW website for more natural hair care products.