A medicated anti-dandruff shampoo
Selenium sulfide
A medicated shampoo for dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and the fungal skin condition pityriasis versicolor.
What is Selenium sulfide?
Selenium sulfide is a medicated shampoo used for dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp, and for the fungal skin condition pityriasis versicolor. It works on the skin and scalp to reduce the yeast and the excess scaling behind these conditions. It is massaged in, left on for a short time and then rinsed out, and is used as a course over a few weeks. It can discolour bleached or dyed hair and must be kept out of the eyes. Rinse well after using it.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Selenium sulfide — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Selenium sulfide is a medicated shampoo used to treat dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis (a flaky, itchy condition of the scalp linked to a normal skin yeast) and also pityriasis versicolor, a common fungal skin condition that causes patches of altered colour, often on the back and chest. It works against the yeast involved and reduces scaling and flaking. It is bought over the counter or prescribed and is used for a short course rather than every day indefinitely.
How it works
Selenium sulfide reduces the activity of the normal skin yeast that contributes to dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and pityriasis versicolor, and helps slow the excess shedding of scale. By calming both the yeast and the flaking, it clears dandruff and settles itchy, scaly scalps, and helps even out the patches of pityriasis versicolor over a course of treatment. Because it acts on the skin surface, its effects and side effects are mainly local, such as scalp irritation or dryness.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Generic (long-established).
A medicated shampoo used in the UK for dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and pityriasis versicolor.
Practical use
How to take Selenium sulfide
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Wet the scalp or affected skin, then massage in the shampoo and work up a lather.
- Leave it on for the short time stated, then rinse it off thoroughly with plenty of water.
- Use it as a course — a few times over a couple of weeks for dandruff, or a short daily course for pityriasis versicolor — as directed.
- Rinse hair very well, as it can discolour bleached, grey, tinted or dyed hair.
- Keep it well out of your eyes; if it gets in, rinse thoroughly with water.
- Avoid using it on broken or inflamed skin, and not right before or after colouring or perming hair.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Selenium sulfide
Advantages
- Effective against dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and pityriasis versicolor.
- Simple to use as a wash-in, leave-on, rinse-off shampoo over a short course.
- Available over the counter as well as on prescription.
Disadvantages
- Can discolour bleached, grey, tinted or dyed hair if not rinsed well.
- May irritate or dry the scalp, or leave hair feeling greasy or with an odd smell.
- Must be kept out of the eyes and off broken or inflamed skin.
Practical use
Good to know
Selenium sulfide is used as a course — typically a few applications over a couple of weeks for dandruff or seborrhoeic dermatitis, and a short daily course for pityriasis versicolor — rather than as an everyday shampoo forever. It is massaged into the wet scalp or skin, left on for a short time, then rinsed off thoroughly. It can discolour bleached, grey, tinted or dyed hair, so rinse very well and consider washing it out carefully. Keep it out of the eyes and off broken or inflamed skin, and do not use it just before or after colouring or perming hair. With pityriasis versicolor, the skin colour can take time to even out after the yeast has gone, so patches may persist for a while even once treatment has worked.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- It should not be used on broken, weeping or badly inflamed skin without advice.
- People should avoid it right before or after colouring or perming their hair.
- It should be kept away from the eyes and not used by anyone known to react badly to it.
Monitoring
- Reviewing whether the dandruff, flaking or fungal patches improve over the course.
- Checking for scalp irritation or hair discolouration and adjusting use if needed.
- Remembering that pityriasis versicolor patches can take time to even out in colour after treatment.
Side effects
- Scalp irritation, dryness or itching where it is used.
- Discolouration of bleached, grey, tinted or dyed hair, and sometimes a greasy feel or smell.
- Stinging or redness if it gets onto broken skin, and eye irritation if it gets in the eyes.
Key interactions
- Hair colours, bleaches and perms can be affected, so separate them in time from treatment.
- Other strong medicated scalp products used at the same time may add to irritation.
- Few medicine interactions, as very little is absorbed; tell your pharmacist about other scalp treatments.
Available as: A medicated shampoo applied to the scalp or skin and rinsed off.
Answers
Selenium sulfide: frequently asked questions
Can I use it as my everyday shampoo?
No, it is used as a short course — a few times over a couple of weeks for dandruff, or a short daily course for pityriasis versicolor — rather than every day indefinitely.
Will it affect my dyed hair?
It can discolour bleached, grey, tinted or dyed hair, so rinse very well and avoid using it just before or after colouring or perming.
What is pityriasis versicolor?
It is a common fungal skin condition causing patches of altered colour, often on the back and chest; the colour can take time to even out even after treatment has worked.
What if it gets in my eyes?
Keep it away from your eyes, but if it does get in, rinse them thoroughly with water.
Why does my scalp feel dry after using it?
Some scalp dryness, irritation or itching can happen; rinsing thoroughly and using it only as a course usually helps.
The wider class
About Antifungal shampoo
Selenium sulfide belongs to the antifungal shampoo class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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