Inflammation leads to red patches and high fatty acid content, which can make the skin greasy and yellow in some people. [4] X Research source Clark GW, Pope SM, Jabari KA. Diagnosis and Treatment of Seborrheic Keratosis. Am Fam Physician. 91(3), 2015:185-190. In infants, it is common in the scalp and can present as red, dry scaly plaques, or in more severe cases as thick white or greasy yellow scales. Other skin diseases such as fungal infection, psoriasis, dermatitis, and lupus may resemble scalp eczema. However, these differ based on the location and layers of the skin involved. [5] X Research source Clark GW, Pope SM, Jabari KA. Diagnosis and Treatment of Seborrheic Keratosis. Am Fam Physician. 91(3), 2015:185-190. If you aren’t sure whether your symptoms match those of scalp eczema, see your doctor. S/he can help you determine the cause of your symptoms and whether they are severe enough to require treatment.
If your eczema is atopic, meaning that your family has a tendency to develop eczema, yeast may not be the culprit. Doctors believe that many people with atopic eczema have a faulty skin barrier due to a changed gene within the skin’s structural proteins. [7] X Research source
Being overweight or obese Fatigue Environmental factors (such as dry weather) Stress Other skin issues (such as acne) Certain medical conditions, including stroke, HIV, Parkinson’s disease, or head injury
Be gentle with washing your skin and scalp. Do not scrub! Gently massage your skin with your fingers when washing your hair. The goal is to clean your hair without stripping the oils from your scalp.
You could even cause a secondary infection if you scratch excessively.
If you have allergies, medical conditions, take medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, always consult your doctor before starting any treatment process. Do not use treatments on children without consulting a pediatrician first. Treating scalp eczema in children is a different process and is covered in its section of this article.
These OTC shampoos are not approved for use on children! Use them only on adult scalp eczema.
First, rinse your hair with warm (not hot) water. Apply the treatment shampoo thoroughly on your scalp and hair, massaging it gently into your scalp. Do not scrub or scratch your scalp. This could cause the scales to bleed or even become infected. Leave the medication on for the amount of time recommended on the package. Typically, you need to keep it on for at least 5 minutes. Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm (not hot) water and dry with a clean towel. Coal tar shampoo can be harmful if swallowed. Avoid getting it into your eyes or mouth. Some treatments, such as ketoconazole shampoo, may be more effective when you alternate them with a different scalp product twice a week. [13] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Common side effects include dryness or oiliness of the hair or scalp. Less common side effects can include hair discoloration, hair loss, and irritation. [15] X Research source You must use this treatment at least two times a week for it to be effective.
This product can be used daily. Do not consume tea tree oil, as it is toxic. Avoid getting it in your eyes or mouth. Tea tree oil has estrogenic and anti-androgenic properties that have been linked to conditions such as breast growth in prepubescent males. [18] X Research source Henley DV, Lipson N, Korach KS, Bloch CA. Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. N Engl J Med. 2007;356(5):479–485
This product must be used twice a week, leaving on overnight for at least a year. Egg oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acid Docosahexanoic Acid which promotes new epithelial cell growth.
This method can be used three times a week. Look for shampoos with a 1% or 2% concentration of pyridine zinc. [20] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Pyrithione zinc is also available as a topical cream. [21] X Research source
Over-the-counter preparations are lower in strength than prescription shampoos or creams. [24] X Research source Side effects may include unusual hair texture, discoloration, scalp irritation, or oiliness or dryness of the scalp or hair. [25] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source 1% to 2% ketoconazole shampoo is effective and safe, including in infants. It can be used twice daily for two weeks. [26] X Research source Peter RU, Richard-Barthauer U. Successful treatment and prophylaxis of scalp seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff with 2% ketoconazole shampoo: results of a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 1995;132(3):441-445.
Dilute raw honey in warm water, using 90% honey and 10% water. [29] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Rub crude or raw honey into the scalp lesions for 2 to 3 minutes. Do not scrub or rub harshly. Rinse with warm water. Every other day, rub the honey onto the itchy areas of your scalp and leave it on for 3 hours. Rinse your scalp after the 3 hours are up. Continue this regimen for 4 weeks. [30] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Use this shampoo twice daily for up to four weeks. Possible side effects include itching of the scalp, localized hair loss, contact dermatitis in the fingers, and altered pigmentation in the skin. [32] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source You should consult your doctor before using a coal tar shampoo. It should not be used with children or with pregnant or breastfeeding women. It may also cause harmful interactions with certain medications or cause allergic reactions. [33] X Research source
If the condition does not clear up, consult with your pediatrician to discuss treatment options. Like adult scalp eczema, the condition may clear up after treatment and reappear later.
Avoid using sharp or exfoliating cleaning tools, such as scrubbers, loofahs, or harsh sponges on your child’s skin.
Wash your child’s hair daily. 1% to 2% ketoconazole shampoo is effective and safe for infants, although you should always talk with your pediatrician before starting treatment. It can be used twice daily for two weeks. [38] X Research source Peter RU, Richard-Barthauer U. Successful treatment and prophylaxis of scalp seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff with 2% ketoconazole shampoo: results of a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 1995;132(3):441-445.
Allow the oil to sink into the skin for a few minutes. Then shampoo with a gentle baby shampoo, rinse thoroughly with warm water and brush the child’s hair as usual. Make sure to rinse thoroughly your child’s scalp after each oil treatment. Otherwise, the oil may build up and cause the condition to worsen.
Avoid irritants such as harsh soaps, bubble bath, Epsom salts, or other bath additives. These can irritate your child’s skin and make eczema worse.
Prescribed antifungal shampoos and topical corticosteroids are beneficial, but can be expensive and may have adverse side effects with long-term use. These and other prescribed shampoos are only used when over-the-counter treatments are not effective.
The most common side effects of these shampoos include irritation, burning sensations, dry skin, and itching. These shampoos are used daily or at least twice weekly during the prescribed period. Always follow the directions on the package or prescription.
Side effects usually occur after long-term use and may include thinning of the skin, itching, a stinging sensation, and skin hypopigmentation (the loss of the color pigments of your skin, which results in lightening of the skin). Most people who use these shampoos for only a short period should not experience negative side effects. These prescription shampoos contain steroids, and a little of the medication can be absorbed into the bloodstream. If you have diabetes or sensitivity to steroids, you should be sure to discuss these complications with your doctor. Be aware that corticosteroid shampoos tend to be more expensive than other treatments. These shampoos can be used daily or twice daily during the prescribed period. The use of antifungal and corticosteroid shampoos at the same time may be safe and yield better results. Talk to your doctor about combining the two. [46] X Research source Ortonne JP, Nikkels AF, Reich K, et al. Efficacious and safe management of moderate to severe scalp seborrhoeic dermatitis using clobetasol propionate shampoo 0. 05% combined with ketoconazole shampoo 2%: a randomized, controlled study. Br J Dermatol. 2011;165(1):171-176.
Prescription antifungal agents called azoles are a highly effective treatment for scalp eczema. [48] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Ketoconazole is the most commonly prescribed agent and has been proven effective in many clinical trials. Another common prescription treatment uses Ciclopirox, a type of hydroxy pyridine antifungal. It is available as a cream, gel, or solution. Corticosteroids may also be prescribed as a cream or topical ointment.
Because Light therapy involves exposure to ultraviolet light, it carries an increased risk of skin cancer developing. [50] X Research source Lee E, Koo J, Berger T. UVB phototherapy and skin cancer risk: A review of the literature. Int J Dermatol. 2005;44(5):355–360. This type of treatment is usually reserved for people whose scalp eczema is caused by atopic dermatitis, or whose seborrheic dermatitis is extensive. It cannot be used on infants or young children. [51] X Research source
Creams or lotions containing tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) may be effective for treating scalp eczema. However, they carry an increased risk of cancer and are more expensive than corticosteroids. Terbinafine (Lamisil) and butenafine (Mentax) are oral antifungal treatments for scalp eczema. They can interfere with specific enzymes in the body or cause allergic reactions or liver problems. This limits their use for the treatment of scalp eczema. [53] X Research source Berk T, Scheinfeld, N. Seborrheic Dermatitis. P T. 2010;35(6):348-352.
