• Seborrheic dermatitis can affect the scalp, causing inflammation, scabbing, and flaking that resembles dandruff.
• Although this condition isn’t contagious, it can be challenging to manage symptoms like burning, itching, and stinging.
• Pursuing treatment with a dermatologist may help you find relief from these symptoms.

If you have dry patches on your scalp or if your hair feels more oily than usual, you might be wondering if you have seborrheic dermatitis. Although seborrheic dermatitis rarely causes serious physical issues, this skin condition can be uncomfortable, frustrating, and sometimes embarrassing.

In this article, we’ll describe common symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp. We’ll also share the experiences of MySebDermTeam members, review potential causes of seborrheic dermatitis, and explain what your doctor or dermatologist might recommend to help relieve your symptoms.

Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a type of eczema, an inflammatory skin condition that causes itching and inflammation. You may hear people refer to seborrheic dermatitis as dandruff, seborrhea, seborrheic eczema, seborrheic psoriasis, or cradle cap (in infants). It’s a chronic condition, meaning it needs long-term medical care, but it’s not contagious. Effective treatment options are available, but there is no cure.

What Are the Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis on the Scalp?

Seborrheic dermatitis symptoms vary from person to person. Some people develop white scales on the scalp, and others have seborrheic dermatitis pimples on the scalp. This common skin condition doesn’t typically cause permanent hair loss.

Your symptoms will depend on the severity of your diagnosis and your age, skin type, skin tone, overall health, and other factors.

Common symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp include:

• Dandruff or flaking skin
• Crusty skin
• Flaking patches along your hairline
• Greasy or oily skin covered with scaly patches or crust
• Pimples on your scalp
• Dry skin
• Itchiness
• Rash

Seborrheic dermatitis may look different on you than it does on someone else. The symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis can vary by skin tone. People with darker skin may develop hypopigmentation (lighter patches of skin). Petaloid seborrheic dermatitis, a more serious form that leads to lesions along the hairline, is also more common in darker skin. Also, the rash associated with seborrheic dermatitis can look pink or purple on darker skin and red on lighter skin.

Experiencing one or all of the symptoms discussed above does not mean you have seborrheic dermatitis on your scalp, but it’s important to tell your doctor about your concerns so you can get appropriate medical care.

What Does Seborrheic Dermatitis on the Scalp Feel Like?

Knowing the symptoms can help you better understand the signs of seborrheic dermatitis, but hearing directly from others with this skin condition may help you feel less alone or give you an idea of what to expect. Here are some descriptions of seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp from members of MySebDermTeam:

• “My scalp is burning and stinging and seeps brown liquid.”
• “I don’t have any dandruff or flaking, just furious itching.”
• “I woke up with crust on my scalp again.”
• “I have waxy, oil, stringy stuff on my scalp.”
• “My skin was so tight it would throb, and it felt like my entire scalp was being pulled.”
• “I have had a lot of symptoms, including thickening of the skin and weird keratin pieces that grow out of nowhere.”
• “It started with slimy textured hair, and then I developed cysts and crusts on my scalp.”
• “My head was so scaly, it felt like the skin of an alligator.”

MySebDermTeam members also share how seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp affects them emotionally. Some described being self-conscious and often too embarrassed to leave the house during a flare-up. Others have said they feel like they no longer know or understand their own body. For many people, living with seborrheic dermatitis can be as much of an emotional battle as a physical battle.

What Other Conditions Look Like Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Itchy skin and dry patches on your scalp are not always caused by seborrheic dermatitis. Many other skin conditions and medical issues can have similar symptoms, including:

• Scalp psoriasis
• Atopic dermatitis
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Rosacea
• Erythrasma
• Neurological issues
• Head lice
• Ringworm
• Scabies

“I thought I had psoriasis until my dermatologist confirmed it was seborrheic dermatitis in different areas of my scalp,” said one MySebDermTeam member. Another member said, “I was misdiagnosed with scabies at first.”

If you are experiencing itching, crusting or flaking, scabs or pimples, or other symptoms on your scalp, make an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist to ensure you get an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.

What Causes Seborrheic Dermatitis on the Scalp?

Seborrheic dermatitis occurs on areas of the body that have a lot of sebaceous glands (oil glands that produce sebum), making the scalp a prime location with its abundance of hair follicles. Although researchers don’t yet understand what causes seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp, risk factors include:

• Overgrowth of a yeast called Malassezia (pityrosporum)
• A weakened immune system
• A family history of dermatitis
• Certain medical conditions (like HIV infection or Parkinson’s disease)
• Stress
• Fatigue
• Oily skin
• Seasonal weather changes
• Obesity
• Some medications

Having one or all of these risk factors doesn’t mean you will develop seborrheic dermatitis on your scalp. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about skin disorders.

“Stress is causing a flare-up all along my hairline and forehead,” said one MySebDermTeam member. “Stress really does make you vulnerable to flares,” said another.

How Is Seborrheic Dermatitis on the Scalp Treated?

Treating seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp often involves a combination of over-the-counter (OTC) products and prescription medications. Your seborrheic dermatitis treatment plan will depend on the severity of your symptoms and whether any other areas of your body are affected.

The goal of treatment is to relieve physical discomfort, such as severe itching and scratching that may result in scabs. Additionally, treatment should aim to reduce visible symptoms such as flaking and crusting that make some people feel self-conscious.

Over-the-Counter Products

Before prescribing medication to treat seborrheic dermatitis on your scalp, your doctor may recommend trying products you can purchase online or at your local drugstore. OTC products to treat seborrheic dermatitis include dandruff shampoos containing coal tar, pyrithione zinc, salicylic acid, or selenium — as well as hydrocortisone creams at concentrations of 0.5 percent to 1 percent.

Prescription Medications

Prescription medications, shampoos, creams, ointments, lotions, gels, and foams can treat seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp. Your doctor may prescribe a topical product or medicated shampoo containing:

• Fluocinolone (Synalar)
• Desonide (Verdeso)
• Clobetasol (Temovate)
• Betamethasone valerate (Luxiq)
• Roflumilast (Zoryve)
• Selenium sulfide
• Hydrocortisone

Antifungal seborrheic dermatitis shampoos with ketoconazole or ciclopirox may help, and topical corticosteroids can also be effective. Some people take antifungal medications that come in pill form.

Ask your doctor which seborrheic dermatitis treatment plan is best for you.

How Do Members Manage Seborrheic Dermatitis on the Scalp?

Members of MySebDermTeam share what helps them manage seborrheic dermatitis symptoms. Keep in mind that what works for one person may not work for everyone, but here are some of their suggestions:

• “I don’t wash my hair every day. I try to wait two or three days.”
• “Steroid drops help the ulcers oozing on my head.”
• “I use an apple cider vinegar rinse to help calm down my angry, itchy scalp.”
• “I have been using a ketoconazole 2 percent shampoo every other day.”
• “Blow-dry your hair after washing. Letting it air-dry leaves moisture on your scalp.”

If you have seborrheic dermatitis symptoms on your scalp, seek medical help before trying to treat it at home. Your doctor or a dermatologist can make an accurate diagnosis and explain how best to treat your symptoms.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MySebDermTeam is the social network for people with seborrheic dermatitis and their loved ones. On MySebDermTeam, more than 7,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with seborrheic dermatitis.

Do you have seborrheic dermatitis on your scalp? What treatments have helped your symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.