From the Research
Treatment Options for Seborrheic Dermatitis (Dandruff)
The treatment for seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) includes:
- Everyday shampooing and a longer period of lathering 1
- Stopping the use of hair spray or hair pomades (gels) 1
- Using shampoos containing salicylic acid, tar, selenium, sulfur, and zinc, which may be alternated 1
- Overnight occlusion of salicylic or urea oil to soften thick, scalp plaques 1
- Using antifungal shampoos such as selenium sulfide, imidazoles, or ciclopirox olamine to reduce Malassezia scalp reservoirs 1
- Herbal and zinc pyrithione-based shampoos and scalp lotions, which have been shown to be effective and safe in reducing symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis 2
- Herbal therapy, which has been reported to be effective in managing seborrheic dermatitis with fewer side effects compared to chemical drugs 3
- Clobetasol propionate shampoo, which has been shown to be effective and safe in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp 4
Factors to Consider
When treating seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff), it is essential to consider the following factors:
- The condition can be aggravated by changes in humidity, trauma, seasonal changes, and emotional stress 1
- The symptoms can vary, and the severity can range from mild scaling to severe scaling 1
- The prevalence and severity of the condition are greatest in young men, with children and older individuals suffering less frequently 1
- The common causative agent is the lipohilic yeasts Malassezia spp., which is increased in the scaly epidermis of both dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis sufferers 1