A wide variety of factors, including foods, cosmetic products, and clothing, are common triggers for seborrheic dermatitis (sometimes referred to as “seb derm”). Then you have to deal with the complications that come with this kind of eczema — cradle cap, dandruff, itching, burning, and more.

Everyone will have different triggers for seborrheic dermatitis, but the weather is one that seems to be common for a lot of people. Here’s what you need to know about seborrheic dermatitis and the weather.

1. Temperature

The outdoor temperature can affect your seborrheic dermatitis. On MySebDermTeam, people regularly describe how cold temperatures affect their skin. They’ve shared comments like these:

• “Mine always gets worse in colder months and clears up in warmer weather.”
• “For me, this cold, dry weather is drying my scalp even more.”
• “I only flare up when it’s cold, like air conditioners and weather outside.”

Research backs up their experience: One 2022 study reported that seborrheic dermatitis is often worse when temperatures are lower, including in winter. The authors also cited another study that made similar claims, finding that seborrheic dermatitis occurs less often in warmer weather.

Researchers don’t know exactly why cooler temperatures seem to make seborrheic dermatitis worse. They believe that it has something to do with the structure of the skin and can shift when temperatures change.

The effect of temperature may also be related to Malassezia yeast, a type of fungus that naturally occurs on the skin. Most researchers agree that Malassezia yeast, among other potential causes, has some influence on seborrheic dermatitis.

This yeast can interact with the skin during structural changes. Seborrheic dermatitis may be caused by an immune response that occurs when yeast gets past the skin’s structural barriers.

It’s important to remember that some people may experience triggers that don’t fit well with this research. For example, one person on MySebDermTeam said, “This cold weather has helped quiet my seb derm.”

You’ll need to figure out what works for your body. It’s also important to remember that the weather doesn’t cause seborrheic dermatitis, but can it prompt a flare or make an existing one worse.

If temperature is a trigger for your seborrheic dermatitis, protect your skin on hot or chilly days. If cold is your trigger, dress warmly and wear a hat to avoid seborrheic dermatitis on your scalp. Add a scarf to protect any patches of skin affected by seborrheic dermatitis on your face or in your beard. If heat is a trigger for you, use air conditioning or fans to keep your skin cool.

You can also work with your dermatologist to find treatment options. Antifungal creams that treat the yeast might help. Your health care provider may also prescribe corticosteroids or suggest over-the-counter versions to help the inflammation.

2. Humidity Levels

The amount of humidity in the air is another common trigger for seborrheic dermatitis. A few people at MySebDermTeam have commented on this. One shared, “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.”

Many people living with seborrheic dermatitis find that dry weather makes their condition worse. For them, more humidity helps. This correlates with research, too. Seborrheic dermatitis may be less common when humidity is high. It makes sense that dry air leads to dry skin.

Again, researchers aren’t sure exactly why dry air causes seborrheic dermatitis. Malassezia yeast is more likely to grow in high humidity. However, the skin is also more lubricated in these conditions. It may be that the humidity supports the barrier on the skin that offers protection from the yeast.

If dryness triggers seborrheic dermatitis for you, work with a dermatologist to find a moisturizing routine. They may recommend skin care products, like creams, ointments, gels, lotions, or medicated shampoos, that don’t contain alcohol. They can also help you find cleansers that will clean your skin without drying it.

3. Sun Exposure

Being exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays may also affect seborrheic dermatitis. Some members of MySebDermTeam find that sun exposure helps, while others experience the opposite effect. One person said, “The sun is helping me some, but I still have trouble skin on my scalp.”

However, another shared, “I stay far, far away from the sun, mostly because I am very fair-skinned and burn very easily. My scalp has seb derm, so I wear a hat if I have to go out.”

This is a complex topic, and you may need to figure out what works for you. The 2022 study found that more sun exposure could reduce flares and symptoms in people with seborrheic dermatitis. However, a 2017 study suggested that increased exposure to UVA radiation could cause seborrheic dermatitis. The more recent study was more extensive, with more than 5,300 participants, but the earlier results indicate that different people may have different experiences with sun exposure.

UV light may inhibit the growth of Malassezia yeast. This could be one reason sun exposure reduces seborrheic dermatitis, but researchers aren’t yet sure just how this process works.

Whether or not sun exposure triggers seborrheic dermatitis for you, it’s important to protect your skin whenever you’re outside, even when it’s cloudy — no one wants a sunburn on top of seborrheic dermatitis. Ingredients like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are less likely to irritate your skin.

If UV radiation is a trigger for you, cover up with clothing when you’re outdoors, too. If exposure to UV light helps, be sure to control the amount so you don’t get too much. You can also talk to your dermatology team about getting UV light therapy in their office, so you don’t have to worry about overdoing your sun exposure.

4. Altitude

Being at higher altitudes may also trigger seborrheic dermatitis flares or make existing symptoms worse. People who work as mountain guides are more likely to experience seborrheic dermatitis than others are.

However, researchers caution that the altitude itself may not cause this increased risk. The higher rates may be due to greater exposure to UVA radiation. Using sunscreen that irritates the skin could also cause seborrheic dermatitis — and so could not washing as often while in the mountains.

Keep track of your seborrheic dermatitis flares to see if you think that altitude is triggering them. If it is, do your best to remain at an altitude at which you feel good.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MySebDermTeam is the social network for people with seborrheic dermatitis and their loved ones. On MySebDermTeam, more than 10,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with seborrheic dermatitis.

Does the weather affect your seborrheic dermatitis? What steps do you take to protect your skin from weather-related flares? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.