Skin
Medicines for Seborrhoeic dermatitis
A common, long-term skin condition causing flaky, scaly, itchy and slightly red patches in the oily areas of the body — such as the scalp, the sides of the nose and the eyebrows — that tends to come and go and is helped most by antifungal shampoos and creams.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Seborrhoeic dermatitis?
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a common, long-term (chronic) skin condition that causes flaky, scaly, itchy and slightly red or flushed patches of skin. It tends to affect areas where the skin is oilier, such as the scalp, the sides of the nose, the eyebrows, behind and inside the ears, the eyelids and the central chest.
- How it is treated: Seborrhoeic dermatitis is managed rather than cured, with the aim of clearing flares and keeping the skin comfortable between them.
- Self-care: A few simple measures help keep seborrhoeic dermatitis under control between treatments.
- When to seek help: See a pharmacist or GP if over-the-counter antifungal or anti-dandruff treatments are not helping, if the rash is widespread, very itchy or sore, or if you are unsure whether it is seborrhoeic dermatitis rather than another skin condition such as psoriasis or eczema.
What it is
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a common, long-term (chronic) skin condition that causes flaky, scaly, itchy and slightly red or flushed patches of skin. It tends to affect areas where the skin is oilier, such as the scalp, the sides of the nose, the eyebrows, behind and inside the ears, the eyelids and the central chest. On the scalp, a mild form shows up simply as dandruff — fine white or yellowish flakes — while more troublesome patches can look greasy, scaly and pink. The condition is linked to a yeast called Malassezia, which lives harmlessly on everyone's skin but seems to trigger this reaction in some people; it is not an infection that is passed from person to person, nor a sign of poor hygiene. A typical feature is that it relapses and remits: it settles with treatment and then tends to flare again from time to time, often worse in winter or at times of stress or tiredness. In babies, the same process produces "cradle cap" — thick, yellow, greasy scales on the scalp — which is harmless and usually clears on its own.
How it is treated
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is managed rather than cured, with the aim of clearing flares and keeping the skin comfortable between them. The mainstay of treatment is an antifungal, used because the condition is driven by an overgrowth reaction to the Malassezia yeast. On the scalp, an antifungal shampoo containing something such as ketoconazole is the usual first step, left on the skin for a short time before rinsing; for the face and body, an antifungal cream is used. Because the condition relapses, treatment is often used intermittently — a regular maintenance routine to keep flares at bay, stepping up when the skin flares and easing off when it settles, rather than expecting a single course to be the end of it. For inflamed, red and itchy flares, a mild topical corticosteroid may be added for a short period to calm the redness and itch quickly, alongside the antifungal which tackles the underlying cause. Medicated shampoos and gentle, non-irritating skin care round out the approach.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Symptom checker
Symptoms that can point to Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Seborrhoeic dermatitis can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
A few simple measures help keep seborrhoeic dermatitis under control between treatments. Wash affected skin and hair regularly with gentle, non-irritating products, and use a medicated or antifungal shampoo as part of your routine if your scalp is affected, leaving it on for a short while before rinsing as directed. Avoid harsh soaps, strong toners and anything that leaves the skin feeling tight or stripped, as irritation can set off a flare. Resist the urge to scratch or pick at the flakes, which can worsen the redness and risk soreness. Many people find the condition is worse in cold, dry weather or at times of stress and tiredness, so looking after your general wellbeing and managing stress where you can may help. For cradle cap in babies, gentle washing and softening the scales with a little baby or olive oil before brushing them loose is usually all that is needed.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a pharmacist or GP if over-the-counter antifungal or anti-dandruff treatments are not helping, if the rash is widespread, very itchy or sore, or if you are unsure whether it is seborrhoeic dermatitis rather than another skin condition such as psoriasis or eczema. Seek advice if patches become weepy, crusted, increasingly red or painful, as the skin may have become infected. It is also worth getting checked if the condition affects the eyelids and is causing red, sore or gritty eyes, or if flares are frequent and hard to control despite a regular routine, as a stronger or different treatment plan may be needed.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Seborrhoeic dermatitis: frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for seborrhoeic dermatitis?
The mainstay is an antifungal, because the condition is driven by a reaction to the Malassezia yeast. On the scalp this usually means an antifungal shampoo containing something such as ketoconazole, left on for a short time before rinsing; on the face and body an antifungal cream is used. Because the condition relapses, antifungal treatment is often used intermittently for maintenance to keep flares away. For inflamed, red and itchy flares, a mild topical corticosteroid may be added for a short period to settle the redness and itch quickly, alongside the antifungal rather than instead of it. Gentle, non-irritating skin and hair care supports the medicines.
Is seborrhoeic dermatitis the same as dandruff?
They are closely related. Dandruff is essentially a mild form of seborrhoeic dermatitis affecting the scalp, showing up as fine white or yellowish flakes without much redness. Seborrhoeic dermatitis is the broader term, and can involve more obvious scaly, pink and slightly inflamed patches, on the scalp and also in other oily areas such as the sides of the nose, the eyebrows and the chest. Both are linked to the same yeast and respond to similar antifungal treatments, with an antifungal or medicated shampoo being the usual first step for the scalp.
Why does seborrhoeic dermatitis keep coming back?
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a long-term condition that naturally relapses and remits — it settles with treatment and then tends to flare again from time to time. This is because the underlying tendency to react to the Malassezia yeast does not go away, even when the skin looks clear. Flares are often worse in cold, dry weather or at times of stress and tiredness. Because of this pattern, treatment is usually about ongoing management rather than a single cure: a regular maintenance routine to keep flares at bay, stepping up treatment during a flare and easing off when the skin settles.
Is seborrhoeic dermatitis contagious?
No. Seborrhoeic dermatitis is not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person. Although it is linked to a yeast called Malassezia, this yeast lives harmlessly on everyone's skin — the condition arises from how an individual's skin reacts to it, not from catching anything. It is also not a sign of poor hygiene. The same process in babies produces "cradle cap", which is equally harmless. Understanding this can be reassuring, as the flaky, scaly appearance can be mistaken for something infectious when it is not.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Seborrhoeic dermatitis.
- British Association of Dermatologists: Seborrhoeic dermatitis.
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