Areas of oily, crusty white or yellow scales on the ears, sides of the nose, or other areas of the face Dandruff in your eyebrows, beard, or moustache Redness Red and crusty eyelids Flakes that sting or itch
You are very stressed out by your condition and it is interfering with your ability to live your life. This includes severe anxiety, embarrassment, and insomnia. You are concerned that your seborrheic dermatitis is infected. If you have pain, bleeding or pus coming from the area, it is likely infected. If treating it yourself isn’t working, you may need to be checked by a doctor.
You have a psychiatric condition like depression, or a neurological condition like Parkinson’s disease. Your immune system is weak. This includes people who have received organ transplants, people with HIV, alcoholic pancreatitis, or cancer. [4] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source You have heart problems. You have damaged skin on your face. You are exposed to extreme weather conditions. You are obese.
Use a mild soap that won’t irritate your skin. If your eyelids are affected, use baby shampoo to clean them. Don’t use products with alcohol on your skin. This will irritate it and may make the condition worse. Use a non-oily moisturizer which won’t clog your pores. Use one that says non-comedogenic and oil-free on the label.
Shampoos with pyrithione zinc (Head & Shoulders) or selenium (Selsun Blue). These can be used daily. Antifungal shampoos. These should only be used twice a week. Shampoos with tar (Neutrogena T/Gel, DHS Tar). This may cause contact dermatitis or skin irritation, so it should only be applied to the areas with seborrheic dermatitis. Shampoos with salicylic acid (Neutrogena T/Sal). These can be used daily. You can try each of these to see what works best for you. You can also alternate between types if they seem to lose their effectiveness after a while. Be careful not to get them in your eyes. Consult a doctor before using these shampoos if you are pregnant or treating a child.
Commercially produced baby oil. This is best if you are treating a child. Mineral oil Olive oil Coconut oil
Create a warm compress using a washcloth dipped in hot water. This method is gentle for the delicate skin around your eyes and won’t get any soap in your eyes. Hold it over your eyelids until the scales soften and can be gently wiped away. Don’t peel the scales away if they don’t come off. You don’t want to break the skin and risk an infection.
Tie back long hair to prevent transferring oils from your hair to your face. Don’t wear a hat. A hat will absorb oils and hold them against your skin. Shave your beard or moustache if you have seborrheic dermatitis underneath. This will make it easier to treat and it will prevent oils from your beard or moustache hair from making it worse.
Try a cortisone cream to lessen itching and inflammation. Use an antifungal cream such as ketoconazole. This will prevent or kill a fungal infection and reduce itching and inflammation. Read and follow all instructions on the packaging. If you are pregnant or treating a child, consult a doctor before using these medications. Don’t use these creams for longer than two weeks without consulting a doctor.
Use hydrocortisone. This will reduce itching and inflammation, but it should not be used continuously for weeks because it may cause the skin to thin. [7] X Trustworthy Source DermNet NZ Online clinical resource website written and run by dermatologists providing evidence-based information about dermatology and skin health Go to source Try calamine lotion. This will relieve the itching, and may have a drying effect. [8] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Apply a cold compress to the area, which can soothe itching. Use an icepack wrapped in a towel or a washcloth soaked in ice water. Consider an oral antihistamine if you are itching at night. If your itching is keeping you awake, an antihistamine like Benadryl or Zyrtec may ease the itching sensation. These medications also tend to make people drowsy, which can help you fall asleep despite any itching you may experience.
Aloe. You can get commercially prepared mixtures and apply them or, if you have an aloe plant in your house, split open a leaf to reveal the gel inside. Then smear this cool, soothing gel over your skin. Fish oil supplements. Fish oil has omega-3 fatty acids which are good for your skin. Taking these supplements may help. Tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties that may help kill an infection that could be preventing healing. To apply it, create a five percent tea tree oil solution. Mix a ratio of one part tea tree oil to 19 parts warm water. Using a sterile cotton swab, apply this to the affected area and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Then wash it off. Be aware that some people are allergic to tea tree oil and shouldn’t use it. [10] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Exercise for about two-and-a-half hours per week. Get seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Use relaxation techniques such as meditation, massage, visualizing calming images, yoga, and deep breathing.
Hydrocortisone creams Fluocinolone Desonide (DesOwen, Desonide)
Apply it according to the manufacturer’s instructions or as directed by your doctor.
Alternate an antifungal shampoo with a weaker steroid, like hydrocortisone, desonide, fluocinolone. Try an oral antifungal like terbinafine (Lamisil); however, this medication may cause serious allergic reactions and liver damage.
Tacrolimus (Protopic) Pimecrolimus (Elidel)
You may have an increased risk of skin cancer. If you get this treatment, you should wear UV-protective sunglasses to avoid eye damage and cataracts. This treatment may not be appropriate for children.
