Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that causes redness and flaking (dandruff). It most commonly appears in areas with more active sebaceous glands: the scalp, face (especially around the eyebrows and nasolabial folds), and sometimes the chest.
The condition develops due to a combination of factors: the activity of sebaceous glands, the presence of Malassezia yeast (which naturally exists on everyone’s skin but may trigger an excessive inflammatory response in some individuals; the amount of yeast is not always increased), as well as individual skin sensitivity.
The disease often follows a relapsing course: flare-ups alternate with periods of improvement. Treatment is selected individually, depending on the clinical presentation, severity, and affected areas.
Scalp treatment during flare-ups
The goal of treatment is to quickly reduce inflammation and flaking. This may include:
• anti-inflammatory lotions
• antifungal shampoos
• combined therapies when necessary
This approach helps target several contributing factors at once and restore the skin to a calmer state more quickly.
Maintenance care — it is important not to stop treatment completely after improvement
Recommended measures include:
• periodic use of antifungal shampoos
• gentle products with good tolerability
• an individually tailored treatment schedule
This helps reduce the frequency of flare-ups.
Treatment of facial and body skin
For these areas, treatment may include:
• mild anti-inflammatory creams suitable for the face
• products designed for sensitive skin
• antifungal medications when necessary (more commonly used for the body)
Gentle skincare is important, as facial skin tends to be more sensitive.
If topical therapy is not sufficiently effective or does not provide the expected results, a physician may consider additional treatment options, including oral medications.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic condition that may recur periodically. However, with properly selected care, the skin can remain calm and clear, while flare-ups become less frequent and more predictable. The goal is not necessarily to “cure it forever,” but to learn how to manage the condition: understand your skin and maintain it in a comfortable and stable state.