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Dr. Chrysoula I. Liakou MD, PhD
- Treated online: Yes. The flaky patches show well on camera, and a doctor can prescribe antifungal and anti-inflammatory treatments for the scalp, face and body.
- What it is: a common, eczema-type rash in oily areas of the skin, also spelled seborrheic dermatitis; dandruff is its mildest form, on the scalp.
- Triggers: a yeast that normally lives on the skin plays a part, and stress, lack of sleep and winter often make it flare.
- Usual course: in adults it usually comes and goes for years; a flare clears in 2 to 4 weeks of treatment, and a maintenance shampoo once or twice a week keeps it away.
- Emergency: seborrhoeic dermatitis is not an emergency, but call 112 for a rash with a fever that does not fade when you press a glass against it.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is not urgent. A rash that spreads quickly with a fever, or does not fade when you press a glass against it, is something else: call 112 for a rash that does not fade. A painful, red, swollen eyelid or a red, painful eye needs prompt in-person care.
Can an online doctor treat seborrhoeic dermatitis?
Yes. Seborrhoeic dermatitis is recognised by where the flaky patches sit and how they look, which works well by video. The doctor confirms the diagnosis, rules out look-alikes such as psoriasis or ringworm of the scalp, and prescribes treatment for each area when pharmacy shampoos are not enough. The plan includes how to keep it away once it settles.
How an online consultation helps with seborrhoeic dermatitis
- A clear diagnosis: On camera, the doctor checks the scalp, face and chest, and tells you whether the flaking is seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema or a fungal infection.
- The right shampoo: Which active ingredient to use, how to use it, and how long to keep going before judging it.
- Calm skin on the face: Creams that suit facial skin, including treatment that is safe for longer use than steroid creams.
- A plan to keep it away: Seborrhoeic dermatitis tends to return, so the plan covers maintenance as well as the flare.
What the doctor checks in an online consultation
The doctor asks about:
- Where it is: the scalp, eyebrows, sides of the nose, beard, ears, eyelids, chest or skin folds.
- What it looks like: fine flakes, greasy yellowish scale, redness, or lighter patches on darker skin.
- What you have tried: which shampoos and creams, how often, and for how long.
- Triggers: stress, sleep, the season, and new hair or skin products.
- Your health: psoriasis or eczema, a weakened immune system, neurological conditions and the medicines you take.
- Your eyes: sore, red or crusty eyelid margins.
Before the call, find a spot with good light. Part your hair to show the scalp, and have the names of the products you use to hand.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis symptoms
Seborrhoeic dermatitis affects the areas of skin with the most oil glands. Where it appears changes what you notice:
Swipe sideways to compare →
| Area | What you notice |
|---|---|
| Scalp | Flakes, from fine dandruff to thicker, inflamed scaly patches, often itchy |
| Face | Red, flaky patches on the eyebrows, between the eyebrows, at the sides of the nose and in the beard area |
| Ears | Scaling in and behind the ears |
| Eyelids | Red, scaly lid margins, a type of blepharitis |
| Chest and upper back | Scaly patches over the breastbone, sometimes ring or petal shaped |
| Skin folds | Red patches in the armpits, under the breasts and in the groin |
On brown or black skin, seborrhoeic dermatitis is very common, and it often shows as scaly, lighter patches rather than redness. On the chest the patches can be darker than the surrounding skin, and some form curved, petal-shaped patches. The skin in the middle of the face may be oily while other areas feel dry. The skin is often itchy, sore and sensitive, and an inflamed scalp can weep.
Dandruff or seborrhoeic dermatitis?
Dandruff is the mildest, non-inflamed form of seborrhoeic dermatitis: fine, white flakes on the scalp and in the hair, with an itchy scalp but no redness. It affects almost half of all adults. It is not harmful, you cannot catch it, and poor hygiene does not cause it, although it shows more when hair is not washed regularly, and the flakes are more noticeable in darker hair. Stress and cold weather can make it worse.
Redness, greasy scale, or flaky patches on the face and body mean seborrhoeic dermatitis rather than simple dandruff. Several other conditions cause a flaky scalp too:
- psoriasis, with thicker, well-defined plaques that can spread beyond the hairline
- eczema and contact dermatitis, for example a reaction to hair dye
- ringworm of the scalp, a fungal infection that can cause patches of hair loss
When it is unclear which one you have, a doctor can tell from the pattern. The itchy scalp page covers the other causes of an itchy scalp.
What causes seborrhoeic dermatitis?
The exact cause is not fully understood. A yeast called Malassezia, which normally lives on the skin, is thought to play a part: it breaks down the skin’s oil into substances such as oleic acid, which trigger inflammation in people whose skin is sensitive to them, probably because of their genes. It is not an infection, and it does not spread to other people.
Who gets it
It affects about 3 to 12% of people. In adults it often starts in the late teens, and it is most common in young adults and older people, and in men. It is more common with:
- oily skin, and a family history of seborrhoeic dermatitis or psoriasis
- a weakened immune system
- some neurological and mental health conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and depression
What makes it flare
- stress, tiredness and lack of sleep
- cold, dry winter weather; it often improves in summer, after time in the sun
- sunburn on the scalp, which increases flaking
- harsh products: soap, shaving foam and cosmetics that contain alcohol
How to treat seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff at home
Start with a medicated anti-dandruff shampoo from a pharmacy or supermarket:
- Choose one containing ketoconazole, coal tar or salicylic acid; zinc pyrithione and selenium sulfide are other options.
- Use it regularly, as the instructions on the bottle describe.
- Keep going for up to 4 weeks before judging whether it works.
- If one does not help, try a shampoo with a different active ingredient.
- Wash the affected skin on your face and body once or twice a day with a soap-free cleanser.
How to use a medicated shampoo
- Massage it into the scalp, not just the hair, and leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing.
- Use it on the eyebrows and beard too, and lather it onto patches on the body, rinsing after about 5 minutes.
- With coarse, curly or coily hair, use it less often, on the scalp only, because it can dry the hair.
- Coal tar shampoo makes the scalp more sensitive to the sun: cover up with a hat in strong sun.
- For thick, stuck-on scale, soften it first with a product containing salicylic acid or coconut oil, left on for several hours or overnight, then wash it out with the medicated shampoo.
A pharmacist can explain how to use the shampoo and which one suits you. See a doctor if your symptoms have not improved after 4 weeks, or if the scalp is very itchy, red or swollen, or the patches are on your face or body.
Which seborrhoeic dermatitis treatment might the doctor recommend?
Treatment depends on where the patches are and how inflamed they are. This is the framework the doctors use, in line with NHS and dermatology guidance.
Swipe sideways to compare →
| What you have | Likely first step | Suitable for online care? | When in-person care is needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dandruff, no redness | An anti-dandruff shampoo for at least a month | Yes | Not usually needed |
| Itchy, inflamed scalp | A medicated shampoo plus a short course of a steroid scalp treatment | Yes | Not usually needed |
| Patches on the face, ears or chest | An antifungal cream for 2 to 4 weeks, sometimes with a mild steroid cream | Yes | Not usually needed |
| Facial patches that keep returning | A non-steroid anti-inflammatory cream for longer use | Yes | If it does not respond |
| Severe or widespread despite treatment | A review of the diagnosis and tablet treatment | Yes, to assess | Referral to a dermatologist may be needed |
Shampoos not working? A doctor can tell you what to try next in one consultation.
See available times →Treatment options for seborrhoeic dermatitis
What you can do yourself
- Use a medicated shampoo regularly, and keep using it regularly, but less often, after the flakes have settled.
- Wash the face with a soap-free cleanser, and avoid harsh scrubs.
- Notice your triggers, such as stress or poor sleep, and expect flares in winter.
Prescription treatment
A prescription is never issued without a consultation. For the face, ears and chest, the doctor can prescribe an antifungal cream such as ketoconazole or ciclopirox, used daily for 2 to 4 weeks, sometimes with a mild steroid cream for 1 to 2 weeks to calm redness. For facial patches that keep coming back, non-steroid creams called calcineurin inhibitors are better suited to longer use. Antifungal creams and shampoos are safe to use long term. For an inflamed scalp, short courses of a steroid scalp treatment ease itching, and for sore, crusted ears, medicated ear drops may help. For widespread disease that resists these, a short course of antifungal tablets, light treatment or a dermatologist’s review may be needed. If the doctor prescribes, use the prescription at a pharmacy near you.
What does not help
Steroid creams used on the face for weeks on end thin the skin and cause small visible blood vessels, so they are kept to short courses. Scrubbing the scalp hard, and switching shampoos every few days, make it harder to tell what works.
Keeping seborrhoeic dermatitis under control
Treatment usually clears a flare in 2 to 4 weeks; keep going for a few days after the skin looks clear. In adults, seborrhoeic dermatitis is usually long-lasting, and it tends to come back weeks or months after treatment stops, because the yeast lives in the skin’s oil. A maintenance routine keeps flares smaller and less frequent:
- Keep using the medicated shampoo regularly, but less often, even when the scalp is clear.
- Use an antifungal cream on the face or body now and then if patches there keep returning.
- Restart your cream at the first sign of redness on the face, rather than waiting for a full flare.
- Plan ahead for winter and stressful periods, when flares are more likely.
- Review the plan with a doctor if flares become more frequent or stop responding.
Special situations
Eyelids
Seborrhoeic dermatitis can cause red, scaly eyelid margins, a form of blepharitis. Gently cleaning between the lashes with a mild eyelid cleanser helps, and a painful red eye needs prompt in-person care.
Ears
Scaling in and behind the ears can become infected, with oozing and crusting. Avoid cotton buds, and ask the doctor about medicated ear drops.
Make-up and shaving
Choose make-up labelled non-comedogenic, avoid products that contain alcohol, and shave with a soap-free wash rather than shaving foam if the beard area is affected.
Beards
Flaking and redness under a beard are common. Medicated shampoos can be used on the beard as well as the scalp.
Severe seborrhoeic dermatitis
Severe seborrhoeic dermatitis in adults is sometimes linked to a weakened immune system or a neurological condition, so the doctor asks about your general health and may suggest tests.
Facial redness from other causes
Redness and spots across the cheeks and nose may be rosacea, and a rash around the mouth after steroid creams may be perioral dermatitis.
Children
Mobi Doctor consultations are for adults aged 18 and over. A child who is unwell needs a paediatrician or a local doctor in person, and emergency signs in a child mean 112.
When seborrhoeic dermatitis is treated online, and when you need in-person care
Treated online: dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp, face, ears, chest and skin folds, medicated shampoos and creams, maintenance plans, and reviews when a flare returns.
In-person care: severe or widespread disease that does not respond to treatment, an uncertain diagnosis that needs a dermatologist, and a painful red eye.
When to get in-person care
Call 112 or go to an emergency department now for:
- a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it, especially with a fever
- swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after a new product
Get medical advice the same day for:
- a painful, red eye, or a swollen, painful eyelid
- a scalp or face that is hot, swollen, weeping or crusted, with a fever
- a rash spreading quickly over the body
How Mobi Doctor works
- Book a time that suits you: daily 7am–11pm CEST. You can see a doctor over video, usually within 15 minutes. No subscription, and the exact price is shown before you pay.
- Speak to a licensed doctor about seborrhoeic dermatitis: show your scalp, face and any other patches on camera in good light, and say which shampoos you have tried.
- Leave with a plan: what to use, how often and for how long, and which signs mean you should be seen in person. If the doctor prescribes, use the prescription at a pharmacy near you.
No sign-up needed
Not sure it’s seborrhoeic dermatitis? Tick every symptom you have to see each condition page that mentions it. It finds the right page, not a diagnosis: a doctor gives you that on a video call.
Tap the body — an area or a point — to browse symptoms anywhere
Similar symptoms, different condition? Itchy scalp can start the same way. Compare them, or look up any other symptom in the full symptom checker.
Frequently asked questions about seborrhoeic dermatitis
What is seborrhoeic dermatitis?
Seborrhoeic dermatitis, also spelled seborrheic dermatitis, is a common eczema-type rash in the oily areas of the skin: the scalp, face, ears, chest and skin folds. It causes flaking and redness, and it tends to come and go.
Is seborrhoeic dermatitis the same as dandruff?
Dandruff is its mildest form: fine flakes on the scalp without redness. Seborrhoeic dermatitis also causes redness, greasier scale, and patches on the face and body.
Is it seborrhoeic dermatitis or something else?
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is greasy, yellowish scale on a pink base in the oily areas: scalp, eyebrows, nose folds, ears and the centre of the chest. Scalp psoriasis is thicker, silvery, sharply edged plaques that often extend past the hairline, with plaques elsewhere; rosacea flushes the cheeks without scale; facial eczema is drier and itchier and spares the oily zones; and a dry scalp flakes fine and white without redness. The doctor tells them apart on camera.
Is seborrhoeic dermatitis contagious?
No. A yeast that normally lives on everyone’s skin plays a part, but seborrhoeic dermatitis is not an infection, and you cannot catch it or pass it on.
Is seborrhoeic dermatitis a fungal infection?
Not exactly. Seborrhoeic dermatitis is an inflammatory reaction to Malassezia, a yeast that lives on normal skin, in people whose skin is sensitive to it. Antifungal shampoos and creams help because they reduce the yeast.
Does seborrhoeic dermatitis ever go away?
In adults seborrhoeic dermatitis is usually long-lasting and there is no cure, so the aim is control. Treatment clears a flare in 2 to 4 weeks, and a maintenance routine keeps flares smaller and less frequent.
What causes dandruff?
Dandruff is the mildest form of seborrhoeic dermatitis. A yeast that lives on the scalp plays a part, and stress and cold weather can make it worse. It is not caused by poor hygiene, although it shows more when hair is not washed regularly.
How do I get rid of dandruff?
Use an anti-dandruff shampoo with ketoconazole, coal tar, salicylic acid, zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide. Massage it into the scalp, leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes, use it regularly for up to 4 weeks, and keep using it, less often, after that.
Can I use steroid cream on my face for seborrhoeic dermatitis?
Only in short courses for seborrhoeic dermatitis, usually 1 to 2 weeks of a mild steroid cream, often alongside an antifungal cream. For patches that keep coming back, a doctor can prescribe non-steroid creams that are better suited to longer use on the face.
Why does seborrhoeic dermatitis flare up?
Stress, lack of sleep and winter weather are common triggers of seborrhoeic dermatitis, and it often improves in summer. Flares are expected, so a maintenance plan matters more than a single course of treatment.
How can I prevent seborrhoeic dermatitis flares?
Keep using a medicated shampoo once or twice a week after the flare has cleared, wash the face daily with a gentle cleanser and use a light moisturiser, apply the antifungal cream at the first sign of scaling in the eyebrows or nose folds, get enough sleep, manage stress, get some winter daylight, limit alcohol, and avoid heavy oily hair products and beard oils, which feed the yeast. Seborrhoeic dermatitis cannot be prevented from existing, but maintenance treatment prevents most flares.
When should I see a doctor about dandruff?
See a doctor if it has not improved after 4 weeks of anti-dandruff shampoo, if it is severe or very itchy, if your scalp is red or swollen, or if you have flaky, itchy patches on your face or body.
Can an online doctor treat seborrhoeic dermatitis?
Yes. A doctor can look at your scalp and face on camera, confirm seborrhoeic dermatitis, and prescribe antifungal and anti-inflammatory treatments when pharmacy shampoos are not enough.
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis, DermNet, New Zealand, 2022, updated 2024.
- Dandruff, NHS, National Health Service (UK), accessed 15 October 2026.
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis: patient information leaflet, British Association of Dermatologists, updated January 2023.
- How to treat dandruff, American Academy of Dermatology, updated 11 December 2023.
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis, Patient.info leaflet, reviewed 15 September 2023, hosted by NHS Barnsley.
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Guideline links are provided for transparency; treatment decisions are made with your doctor.
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