From the FDA Drug Label
Uses Controls and reduces the symptoms of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. dermaharmony 1% Pyrithione Zinc SOAP For Seborrheic Dermatitis & Dandruff NET WT 4.0 OZ (113 G) The recommended treatment for seborrheic dermatitis is zinc pyrithione (TOP), which controls and reduces the symptoms of the condition 1. Another formulation is 1% Pyrithione Zinc SOAP 1.
- Key ingredients: zinc pyrithione
- Formulations: topical, soap The treatment options include:
- Topical zinc pyrithione
- 1% Pyrithione Zinc SOAP
From the Research
The recommended treatment for seborrheic dermatitis is the use of antifungal and anti-inflammatory medications, with sertaconazole 2% cream being a suitable alternative to topical corticosteroids like hydrocortisone 1% cream, as shown in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial 2.
Treatment Options
- For mild cases, over-the-counter antifungal shampoos containing ketoconazole 1%, selenium sulfide, or zinc pyrithione can be applied to affected areas 2-3 times weekly, leaving on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.
- For facial involvement, ketoconazole 2% cream or hydrocortisone 1% cream can be applied twice daily for 1-2 weeks.
- For more severe cases, prescription-strength ketoconazole 2% shampoo or fluconazole 0.5% shampoo may be needed, along with stronger topical steroids like desonide 0.05% or hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% for short-term use (7-10 days) to control inflammation.
Maintenance Therapy
- Antifungal shampoos should be used 1-2 times weekly for maintenance.
- Patients should avoid triggers like stress and harsh skin products, and maintain good skin hygiene without over-washing, as this can worsen the condition.
Mechanism of Action
- Seborrheic dermatitis is associated with an inflammatory reaction to Malassezia yeasts that naturally live on the skin.
- The antifungal agents reduce the yeast population, while anti-inflammatory medications help control the immune response. According to a systematic review of oral treatments for seborrheic dermatitis, ketoconazole therapy was associated with more relapses compared to other treatments 3. However, the most recent and highest quality study 2 suggests that sertaconazole 2% cream may be a suitable alternative to topical corticosteroids, with similar efficacy and fewer adverse events.