Overview
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a common, long-term skin condition that causes flaky, scaly and sometimes red or itchy patches in oily areas of the body, such as the scalp, face and chest. Mild scalp involvement is known as dandruff, and in babies it appears as cradle cap. It tends to come and go and is not contagious or caused by poor hygiene.
Symptoms
- Flaky white or yellowish scales on the scalp, eyebrows, sides of the nose or chest
- Redness or, on darker skin, lighter or darker patches
- Itching
- Greasy or crusty patches of skin
- Symptoms that flare in cold or dry weather or with stress
- In babies, greasy yellow crusts on the scalp (cradle cap)
Causes & risk factors
- An overgrowth of a yeast that normally lives on the skin
- Overactive oil-producing glands
- Genetic tendency
- Triggers such as stress, cold weather, tiredness and certain illnesses
- More common in people with some neurological conditions or weakened immune systems
Treatment & self-care
Care focuses on controlling flares rather than curing the condition, often using medicated shampoos and treatments applied to the skin to reduce yeast, scaling and inflammation, as advised by a clinician or pharmacist. A doctor can help if it is severe, widespread, on the face, or not improving.
See a doctor urgently if
- The condition does not improve with usual treatments
- Patches become very red, swollen, painful, weeping or show signs of infection
- It spreads widely or affects your daily life and confidence
- A baby's cradle cap looks infected, spreads to the body, or you are concerned
- You have a weakened immune system and develop persistent or severe symptoms