Frequency
Common
Age Group
All Ages
Progression
Chronic
Contagious
No
Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes redness, flaking, and scaling, especially on the scalp, face, and ears. It is not contagious or dangerous, but it can be very annoying and cosmetically distressing, and it often comes and goes in flares.
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The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is not fully understood, but it seems to involve an overreaction of the skin to a common yeast on the skin, along with genetic factors, hormones, and the skin’s oil production. Stress, cold dry weather, harsh skin products, and some illnesses can trigger or worsen flares.
You are more likely to get seborrheic dermatitis if you are an infant under 3 months or an adult over 60, have oily skin, or have conditions like HIV, Parkinson’s disease, depression, or alcohol dependence. Cold dry weather, stress, and harsh skin or hair products also increase the risk of flares.
Treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, yeast, and scaling with medicated shampoos, antifungal or anti‑inflammatory creams, and gentle cleansing. Most people need ongoing maintenance, using medicated products a few times a week and mild moisturizers to keep the skin calm and prevent flares.
You can’t fully prevent seborrheic dermatitis, but you can reduce flares by using gentle cleansers, regular dandruff shampoos if you’re prone to scalp issues, and non‑irritating moisturizers. Managing stress, avoiding harsh hair and skin products, and protecting your skin in cold, dry weather also help.
See a dermatologist if your seborrheic dermatitis is spreading, very itchy, painful, or not improving with over‑the‑counter dandruff shampoos and gentle skin care. You should also see a doctor if the rash looks unusual, you have other worrying symptoms, or you have conditions like HIV or Parkinson’s disease.
Seborrheic dermatitis is usually not an emergency and can often be managed with over‑the‑counter products and routine care, but you should see a doctor if it is severe, spreading, or not improving. Seek urgent care if the skin becomes very painful, hot, or oozing, which can signal infection.
The information provided here is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a dermatologist or physician if you have any concerns.
Acne vulgaris is a very common chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects hair follicles and oil (sebaceous) glands, mainly on the face, chest, back, and shoulders. It shows up as blackheads, whiteheads, red bumps, pus-filled spots, and sometimes deeper nodules, cysts, scars, and dark marks.
Eczema is a group of inflammatory skin conditions that cause redness, intense itching, dryness, and sometimes oozing or crusting. It can be acute with blisters and swelling or chronic with thickened, cracked skin, and it often flares in cold, dry seasons and improves in summer.
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that mainly affects the central face and causes persistent redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne‑like bumps or eye irritation. It tends to flare in response to triggers like heat, alcohol, spicy food, or stress and usually needs long‑term, tailored care rather than a quick one‑time treatment.
Cystic acne is a severe, chronic form of acne where deep, painful nodules and cysts form in the skin and often leave scars. It usually affects the face, chest, back, and shoulders, and needs proper medical treatment rather than just cosmetic care.
