Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition, where the upper layers of the skin get itchy and shed in what seem to be scales or peeling crusts. These can appear as yellow scales on lighter skin, though the yellow color may not be visible on darker skin tones.

A chronic type of eczema, seborrheic dermatitis is a relatively common skin condition that tends to occur in areas that have a lot of sebaceous glands (glands that produce oil). Thus, it’s most commonly seen on the nose, scalp, and upper back, though it can occur anywhere you might have oily skin, including the armpits. In babies, it is often called cradle cap and can cause dandruff.

Seborrheic dermatitis may disappear without treatment, but it can also come and go. If you experience it off and on, figuring out what triggers it for you may be helpful. That way, you can learn to manage the trigger and avoid as many risk factors and flares as possible.

Below are some of the most common seborrheic dermatitis triggers and what you need to know about them.

1. Yeast Overgrowth

Some doctors believe that the overgrowth of a certain type of yeast, called Malassezia yeast, is the main cause of seborrheic dermatitis. This fungus naturally grows on people’s skin, but some people seem to have an immune system response to it, which can lead to symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis. Antifungal treatments that help reduce the amount of yeast can also help reduce seborrheic dermatitis symptoms.

Researchers aren’t sure if everyone living with seborrheic dermatitis has Malassezia yeast on their skin. They’re also not sure if the yeast itself causes the symptoms or if something else causes the body to react in certain ways to the yeast. Speak with your doctor about whether antifungal treatment may help you feel better when you get itchy, flaky patches of skin.

2. Stress

Some people seem to develop seborrheic dermatitis during stressful times or recovery periods after a stressful physical event. Although research has confirmed that stress often precedes seborrheic dermatitis in some people, health experts aren’t sure why that happens. It may be that stress lowers the body’s immune response, making it harder to fend off the yeast mentioned above.

Members of MySebDermTeam have experienced worsening symptoms due to stress. One explained, “I’m not breaking out really badly, but the more I stress it gets far worse.”

Another added, “Stress is causing a flare-up all along my hairline and forehead.”

If you know you’re prone to seborrheic dermatitis and you are under a lot of stress, work to reduce your stress levels by:

• Maintaining close, connected relationships
• Eating a healthy diet
• Getting enough sleep
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Practicing stress-reduction techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or gratitude

These may not seem like much, but reducing your stress could keep your seborrheic dermatitis away or reduce the severity of a flare.

3. Hormonal Changes

Some people find that hormonal changes bring on seborrheic dermatitis symptoms like itchy, greasy scales and flaking skin. There is not a lot of research available on this topic, so it’s hard to know how common this trigger is.

Some health experts suspect hormonal changes may play a role in seborrheic dermatitis because the condition often begins at puberty. The condition is more common in males than females, so some health experts believe that changes in testosterone levels could trigger it. Estrogen is also a possible cause, because it can change the way the body deals with fungi.

While these connections may be tenuous, people do experience seborrheic dermatitis as a result of hormonal changes, like one team member who said, “My hormones are screwy. In my last labs — and I am female — but my DHEA and testosterone are very low. She told me to get a supplement for the DHEA.” (“DHEA” stands for “dehydroepiandrosterone,” a hormone the body uses to produce other hormones.)

Speak with your doctor about ways to manage hormonal changes. They may recommend supplemental hormones to help manage your seborrheic dermatitis if hormonal changes are a trigger.

4. Weather and Temperature Changes

Some people living with seborrheic dermatitis find that the weather and temperature can have a significant impact on their flare-ups. Most people affected by the weather in this way find that humid, warmer weather eases their symptoms, while dry, cold weather worsens them.

Research is limited as to how common weather and temperature triggers are, in part because many people with seborrheic dermatitis don’t report the condition or work with a doctor to relieve it. Some MySebDermTeam members have experienced them, though. “We are having a beautiful week here in New England, which is always a welcome relief for my skin from the cold, dry winter weather,” one said.

Another agreed, adding, “Mine always gets worse in colder months and clears up in warmer weather.”

If weather and temperature are triggers for you, you may want to consider moving to a warm, humid location. This might seem drastic, but it could be worth it if it makes severe symptoms tolerable or even makes them disappear. If you can’t do that, raising the humidity level in your home by installing a humidifier and keeping the indoor temperature higher could help you, too.

5. Certain Medications

Certain oral medications prescribed for other conditions may cause or trigger seborrheic dermatitis in some people who take them. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, these include:

• Auranofin — A treatment for rheumatoid arthritis
• Fluorouracil — Used to treat cancer
• Griseofulvin — Prescribed for treating fungal infections
• Haloperidol — Used to control symptoms of Tourette's disorder and to treat schizophrenia and other mental health conditions
• Lithium — A medication for treating bipolar disorder
• Psoralen — Sometimes used with light treatment for treating psoriasis

Again, it’s hard to know how frequently these medications cause seborrheic dermatitis because not everyone who has the condition reports it to their medical team.

If you are on one of these medications or any other that you think is triggering seborrheic dermatitis, don’t stop taking it. Instead, reach out to the doctor who prescribed it. Let them know what you are experiencing and see what they have to say. They’ll likely help you weigh the benefits of the drug against the side effects, including seborrheic dermatitis.

If you and your doctor decide that you should stop taking the medication, they may be able to prescribe something else that will meet the same needs without causing seborrheic dermatitis. If you decide to stay on the medication, the doctor should be able to help you find effective ways to treat seborrheic dermatitis or refer you to a dermatology provider who can help you with your skin care. That way, you won’t be itchy and miserable while using the medicine.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you are experiencing seborrheic dermatitis and you are struggling to figure out what is causing it or how to manage it, talk to your doctor or dermatologist today. They should be able to work with you to come up with treatment options that will work for you — though it can take some time. There’s a variety treatments for seborrheic dermatitis, including over-the-counter creams, medicated shampoos, lotions, corticosteroids, ointments, soaps, cleansers, and more.

Meet With Others Who Understand

MySebDermTeam is the social network for people with seborrheic dermatitis and their loved ones. On MySebDermTeam, more than 5,300 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with seborrheic dermatitis.

Are you wondering what is triggering your seborrheic dermatitis or what to do after it is triggered? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.