Seborrhea on Scalp (forehead, skin, hair, tooth)

[WoundedSpirit]

I have severe seborrhea on the right side of my head and on my forehead. My doctor prescribed some shampoo, but it only seems to make it worse. It is so bad I am losing hair on that side, and the itching is unrelenting. I am about ready to shave my head so I can rub steroid cream all over it to get some relief.

Has anyone tried something that actually works? I have tried OTC shampoo and the prescription shampoo with no luck.

[nobodysbusiness]

Have you tried tea tree oil (melaleuca) shampoo?

There are also essential oil blends for scalp and hair.

[Flamingo13]

You need to ask in hair care but this might give you info. - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...s/syc-20352710

[guidoLaMoto]

Seborrheic dermatitis is a fungal problem in susceptible individuals. Nizoral Shampoo usually works. If it's not working for you, either the diagnosis is wrong or you're using it improperly (too much? not enough? Using something else that's drying out the skin too much? Or making it too moist?)


It's unusual for it to be located only on one side. Could it be something else, like psoriasis?

[RamenAddict]

Dandruff/seborrhea shouldn’t cause hair loss. Psoriasis and one type of folliculitis can cause hair loss though. Both of these are autoimmune conditions.

That said, if you are losing your hair because it is just that itchy, I would first check to get rid of all of your shampoos with sulfates. I tried lots of medicated shampoos with sulfates and they did not help my scalp folliculitis, which is caused by the same fungus that causes seborrhea. Zinc, salicylic acid, and tea tree are all good options that should help. I have had luck with all of the them in sulfate-free preparations. I use the Organix Tea Tree Extra strength shampoo about once a week, the T-Sal shampoo about once a week, and then a gentler shampoo the other times I wash my hair (I wash my hair every other day in the winter to avoid drying my hair/scalp out too much). I’ve used a sulfate-free zinc for my body and found it was helpful.

[WoundedSpirit]

Thank you for your responses. I have tried different shampoos (tea tree oil, pine tar) with no luck. I will check them to see if they have sulfates.

I have rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disorder. My doctor says it's seborrhea, but he basically has just looked at it and declared that's what it is. I am not so sure.

Yesterday, I noticed I am getting a bald spot near my forehead. I am pretty sure that the hair loss is from me scratching to try to get some relief from the horrible itching.

[southernnaturelover]

Is this the same seborrhea that dogs get? If it is, it usually has a oily yeasty type odor. It might be worth trying some of the anti-seborrhea dog shampoos to see if it helps.

[RamenAddict]

Originally Posted by WoundedSpirit

Thank you for your responses. I have tried different shampoos (tea tree oil, pine tar) with no luck. I will check them to see if they have sulfates.

I have rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disorder. My doctor says it's seborrhea, but he basically has just looked at it and declared that's what it is. I am not so sure.

Yesterday, I noticed I am getting a bald spot near my forehead. I am pretty sure that the hair loss is from me scratching to try to get some relief from the horrible itching.

Who diagnosed you? Was it a dermatologist? You might need to try a few. I took a while to find someone who could diagnose me correctly. The scalp is difficult because it is not as easy to see as other parts of the body. A sulfate-free zinc should help if you have seborrhea as should something with salicylic acid. You shouldn’t be using them everyday either. If you are, you are probably drying out your scalp too much.

[Miss Hepburn]

Whatever you may have try this: a little water in a container,1/8-16th of an inch- add Apple Cider Vinegar, a
few drops of Tea Tree oil if you have it and a good medicated shampoo for multiple scalp issues,
Walgreen's has a brand.
Dab 100% cotton in the mixture, then dab your scalp (easy, do it watching TV), let it sit for 'awhile'.

Like whitening toothpaste, these shampoo products work when placed on the area and
you let them sit to do the trick.
Do again in 2 days.
So, every 2 days for awhile.
I find in most things Americans want quick results, if nothing happens, they stop.
Not good - keep up the treatment.
You will see some improvement the next day, btw.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

My daughter had something like that on her ears. We tried meds but the only thing that got rid of it was to stop using regular shampoo. She uses olive oil bar soap (I grate it and simmer with distilled water to make a gel) as shampoo and body wash now.