Cure for Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Updated on November 01, 2016
H.E. asks from Dickinson, ND
23 answers

Hello Everyone! I am desperately trying to find a shampoo/conditioner or steps to take that will cure a horrible case of Seborrheic Dermatitis on my scalp. It's basically like a bad case cradle cap. I have tried Nioxin, DesignLine by Regis with TeaTree, Tar Shampoo, Head and Shoulders, but nothing is has helped! I SCRUB my hair every day, but it only maintains. If I skip a day, it's worse than ever. I would love to go to a dermatologist, but my husband and I do not have healthcare, and having four little children, we are obviously on a tight budget. Does anyone know of any other product I could try, or even something I might be eating that is triggering this condition??!! Thank you!

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T.S.

answers from Fargo on

Hi H.,

My son also had this problem. Sometimes it does creep back again.

My solution was to use Neutrogena sesame oil and rub it into his scalp a bit. I then used a comb to comb out the flakes of dead skin off of his scalp. This oil is ligher than others and easier to rinse out of the hair when done. Plus it doesn't smell half bad. KMart also has their own look alike brand which is just as good and about half the price.

I hope this helps.

Tammy

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K.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

Well, if this condition is basically like cradle cap...I got some advice here a few months ago that worked wonders for my 2 year old. Massage liberal amount of aquaphor or vaseline into scalp and leave over night. Shampoo the following day with Burt's Bees shampoo (no lauryl sulfates?) and rub scalp with a gentle brush (a tooth brush works) to loosen the dead skin. May take a couple days to work both the skin and oil out. My son hasn't had a patch since we used this treatment...Even through this cold, dry winter.

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M.W.

answers from St. Cloud on

I think I have the same thing. I DID go to the dermatoligist and they gave me a steriod cream/liquid to put on my scalp. It did help BUT there are possible side effects that I was not aware of. I don't know if it's in my head or what but I was told now that it can cause infertility.... (We've been trying for a couple months now and have NOT been able to get pregnant....Don't know if this is a coincidence or psycological thing.) And I also found a whole list of alarming concerns so I do NOT recomend going to a regular doc!!! I wish I hadn't.

SO, I switched to all natural methods. I use (sovereign) silver and put that on my scapl EVERY DAY> My friends daughter has the same thing as well and has had VERY good luck with organic Apple Cider Vinegar.

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M.G.

answers from Des Moines on

You said it is essentially like cradle cap...my daughter had cradle cap and what I used took it away in a day and it was so bad. I used Melaleuca Oil. I just applied it and then waited for a little bit. Then I bought a glove to get rid of cradle cap and used that. I couldn't believe it! If you are interested in that solution, email me at ____@____.com.

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L.E.

answers from Sioux Falls on

I would goole "homeopathic remedy for seborrheic dermatitis"
Good luck

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M.S.

answers from Cedar Rapids on

My husband has had good luck with baby shampoo. It doesn't have alcohol added, which dried out his scalp. Plus, it's cheaper than Neutrogena's T-Gel, which also worked.

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E.K.

answers from Rapid City on

H., I went to the dermatologist for this problem recently, and the advice he gave me has cured it -- I had struggled with it for years! He basically told me to switch off products because they frankly do not know what causes it and have no cure. So he recommended the tar shampoo, selsun blue or other selenium shampoo, the antifungal, which I think is the Nizoral, and the Head/Shoulders. So I started switching off all of them, and the problem is 99% taken care of. Hope this helps.

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A.N.

answers from New York on

H.,

I had been dealing with seborrheic dermatitis for several years. It would get really bad to where it would itch incessantly, bleed, and be crusty and I'd have TONS of flakes...I also live in ND. I didn't have this condition until I moved to ND. I don't know if that's a factor.... I have very thick, dark hair and I have a lot of it. I went to the dermatologist many times. She prescribed several different topical creams (over time) that had steroids in it. Nothing really kept it from coming back and I was spending hundreds of dollars each month on the prescription treatments. I also tried every single over the counter dandruff/scalp treatment there was. Nothing would work for me. I was desperate, so I tried using a bit of the foaming Dawn soap along with Head and Shoulders on my scalp, and immediately, there was a HUGE difference. There has been some trial and error as far as how often I should wash my hair and if I really needed both products, but what has worked for me, is this: I wash my hair every other day...I first use head and shoulders. Then I use a small amount of the foam Dawn soap all over just my scalp, scrubbing it in. I rinse it right away and then I use my favorite moisturizing conditioner. My condition has not come back in years. This is just my own experience, but it is the ONLY thing that has worked for me and it's super cheap. I hope this will work for you!!!

Thanks,
A.

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S.Z.

answers from Minneapolis on

Peace & Blessings!
I am so happy to reply to your posting b/c after having my 3rd baby, I had REALLY bad psoriasis on my scalp. It was basically how you describe and then became a daily problem. I have long, thick hair but was unable to enjoy it b/c this was painful, frustrating, and embarrassing!
I went to the dermatologist several times. Eventually I finally found meds that treated it, but I was getting headaches. Then I came across a shampoo that works great. I think that trying to save money I would buy misc brand shampoos, that ultimately were creating the psoriasis. Shows the importance of taking care of ourselves as well as we care for our children.
The shampoos that worked well are:
BeMe Become/Be Modest purifying shampoo by AAfusion salon in Burnsville. This was about $16 per 16 oz bottle.
Then I thought I would try another shampoo with similar ingredients & I am having great results from Trader Joe's (Woodbury, MN) shampoo, balanced moisturizing- Nourish Spa w/ organic botanicals. This is $3 per 16.9 oz bottle!!
The Trader Joes shampoo does not have laurel/laureth sulfates. That is a cheap ingredient added to many products to make it sudsy, and it is known for skin irritations. Although the BeModest shampoo does have that ingredient.
I have been using this shampoo for a few months and haven't had any problems. In the last week, the weather is so dry that when my scalp feels irritated I use a little of the medication from the dermatologist, which you can likely get from any MD. :)
The medications that gave me good results are:
Shampoo-salicylic acid 6% (generic) -this did cause headaches, but if I used only on the problem spot sparingly and decreased time, I was okay. And pharmacist said that this was not a common reaction.
Foam medication Olux- very good, quick relief, but not covered by insurance so only used sample.
Liquid medication that is generic for Olux- also very quick comfort- clobetasol 0.05% solution.
Hope that this is information that will help you. I spent over a year trying this out.
With warm regards,
S.

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A.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

Neutrogena T-Sal, try it if tar shampoo hasn't worked. It has salicylic acid. You have to use another shampoo after you use it though, or else your hair stays a little rough.

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J.V.

answers from Iowa City on

Hi H.,
The safest products ever have been wonderful for alot of babies( and adults with sensitive skin) The Arbonne swiss formulated ABC baby line. parabin free and concentrated they work! my daughter is a nurse and loves the products. I'm the Arbonne consultant www.jvoss.myarbonne.com
Contact me if you would like to shop at a discount! Warmly J.

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S.H.

answers from Green Bay on

Hi H.,
I understand your struggle, mine was so bad my hair was falling out. I had a similar problem, was able to go the doctor route and got the prescription shampoo. It sort of took care of it. Shortly after I joined Melaleuca and used there Tea Tree oil shampoo and I no longer have a problem. I have also used their Renew Intensive Skin therapy lotion and it cured my excema, when I had been using a prescription that only kept it under control. The products are no more expensive, they work great and you can make money by referring others, I have for 12 years. They are also safe for little one.
I am home with my son who I homeschool and I to have a degree in Elementary Education but my minor is Art.
Feel free to contact me for more info.
Peace and Prosperity,
S.

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S.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have guttate psoriasis, and when it flared up on my scalp, my derm recommended Neutrogena T-Gel--the one with the highest coal tar content. It's at Target, and you'll know you have the right one because it's really dark brown. Don't be scared by the odor or color--I have blonde hair and after using conditioner, you couldn't really smell it, and it did not color my hair. Good luck!!

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R.T.

answers from Minneapolis on

Olive oil. I saturated my daughter's scalp with it and let it absorb for 24 hours. She never had cradle cap again. Very cheap and worth a try!

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J.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have a very similar concern and have tried all that you mentioned, plus a steroid prescription from a dermatologist that did not work at all. Bummer! I was just recently told, by a chiropractor, to try taking vitamin D and E. It is worth a shot!

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M.F.

answers from St. Cloud on

I have psoariasis, H., and I have found Dermarest to help me the most. You can buy it right at Walmart. Good luck. I know it can be very inconvenient and embarrassing.

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L.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hi there. I'm not exactly familiar with your condition, but I know a chiropractor who swears by using grape seed oil. He just massages it into his scalp and even uses it on his face to get rid of the flakes that appear in the winter due to excessive dryness. Again, I don't know if your condition is worsened by dryness, but if it is, that could help. I've also heard olive oil works fine too, since it's more easily accessible.

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L.M.

answers from Des Moines on

Hi there, are you sure you have dermatitis. Is there a chance it could be psoriasis? I will tell you I "developed" psoriasis 2 years ago as a result of major stress. And I have been through about 15 shampoos - a couple visits to the dermatologist etc. I recently found one I really like and would highly recommend it. I got it at a health food store. Don't waste time with a shampoo that only contains tea tree oil - go to the healthfood store and buy one that has a tea tree oil base. The one I got is for head lice and scalp conditions, but it has done more for me than anything the past 2 years. If you are interested, send me a private message and I can get you the name of it. I am not home now, but could look it up for you. good luck! I know hwo frustrating it can be. it's embarsssing!!

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K.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

Our doctor had us use Selsun Blue and it worked wonders.

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D.B.

answers from Des Moines on

Hi, I have had the same proplem. Beleive it or not I mixed some vinigar in a tall glass of warm water and after shampooing i used it for a rinse. And it worked! You don't notice the smell after it dries. I'm not sure how much vinigar I use. I think a little more than 1/4 of the cup. Good luck.

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J.

answers from Minneapolis on

I've had this problem since I was a teenager. Nioxin does work for me - thankfully.

But before we found that out some of the advice given to my mom by a hairdresser was to scrub your head with Dawn Dish Soap. Let that sit for like 3-5 minutes. Then rinse it out. After rinsing it completely out of your hair - dump a big glass of vinager on your hair. Smells awful - but it did the trick. I used to think I smelled like an Easter Egg.

It worked wonders for me for years. I want to say we only did it once or twice a month.

Hope this helps:)
J.

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J.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

H.-
Have you ever tried T-Gel? It is by Neutrogena. I had Seborrheic Dermatitis on my face years ago and it helped a lot. Otherwise, have you tried going to a Whole Foods or Co-op and talk to the staff in the Health & Beauty Aisle there? Sometime homeopathic stuff works wonders when nothing else does. (like oregano oil on warts - you have to be persistent, but it WORKS!!!) I hope you find something that helps!

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C.M.

answers from Cedar Rapids on

Try the cradle cap bottle from target. There is a baby winnie the pooh on the front. You find it in the baby section. You put a little of that on and then scrub it with a baby soft brush. We did this with our daughter and within 3 days, her head was normal. We dealt with the problem for 2 years and then her hair started to fall out. Now it is just fine. Hope this helps.

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