seborrheic dermatitis?

carrielynn · 03-19-2012, 05:44 AM

Do any of you have it?

After a bit of internet research (I know, I know, the internet isn't always right...) I think I might have it. About 14 months ago I went in to my doctor for what seemed to be basic eczema, itchy patches on my hands, legs, neck. He prescribed a couple of creams that treated it just fine.

Then in August I started having really bad "dry scalp", and suffered from flakes for a couple of months. I tried every over-the-counter dandruff medicine I could. That was about the time I found this site, there's a thread on here about dandruff vs. dry scalp.

In late October I became pregnant, and apparently either the hormone changes from that or the difference in weather (or both!) seemed to heal my scalp.

Now in the last week or two I started developing oily/sticky patches above my ears and along my hairline at the base of my neck. It itches a little bit, but mostly just crusts/scabs over and then I find myself picking at it...

I went CG about 4-5 weeks ago, but am not sure if that had anything to do with this...

The bit of research I've done online suggests a treatment of sd is to shampoo daily, with dandruff shampoo, to prevent any secondary infections from developing.

But I'm finally getting into the habit of co-washing and am really enjoying the CG method!

So does this sound like the beginning of sd to you, and how do you treat yours?? I have a routine ob appointment today (21 weeks!), so I'll probably ask the nurse and doctor then, but they might just refer me and I like to be a little more informed...

KurleeEdna · 03-20-2012, 02:52 PM

Hi, CarrieLynn,

Sorry about your itchies

, but congratulations on the addition to the family!

It sounds like seborrheic dermatitis, but you still want to be properly diagnosed. If it's hormonal, it could just go away on its own.

Although the derms did tell me I have SD, I don't use the shampoos they prescribe, because they turn my curls into straw.

If you've checked around the boards, you'll find different remedies that have helped different people.

If you don't want to use sulfates, you can start with the ACV and/or baking soda rinses. If your head is flaky, you can make a brown sugar scrub with a little grapeseed oil or Jamaican castor oil and a few drops of tea tree or neem oil. You can follow that with a sulfate-free shampoo and/or just your conditioner as normal.

(My favorite low-poos are: Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue and Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle shampoos.)

For me, especially in the winter or when the weather changes, I found that I have no choice but to use over-the-counter Nizoral once a week. (But that's just me and the sulfates are at the bottom of the ingredient list. I only use a small amount concentrating on my scalp and then follow that with a deep conditioner.)

Since no two heads are alike, you'll just have to experiment. I hope you find something that works for you. (And when you do, let me know, since my experimentation process never ends.)

lucyprimrose · 03-20-2012, 07:51 PM

I agree that you should see a specialist, a dermatologist rather than a general family doctor, to get a diagnosis. It could be something else with a different treatment, these things are often misdiagnosed. Once you have a better idea you can experiment with different ways to combine keeping it at bay with being cg.

JRock · 03-20-2012, 11:17 PM

Hi carrielynn,

I also have this and it stinks! Like the others mentioned, definitely get diagnosed before treatments.

I also use brown sugar scrubs in my conditioner if I'm feeling especially itchy. Also, any CG low poo with tea tree oil is great! There are no Trader Joe's where I live (and how I miss them!) so I use the Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo & Conditioner. I use them once and week and it really helps control my SD.

I do use a medicated shampoo on my face, hands, etc. It really helps when my flakes get bad, especially on my face.

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Amazinnatural · 03-21-2012, 01:33 AM

Hi all, I also suffer from SD, the shampoos that have worked for me are as of lately are: Shea Moisture Black Soap Shampoo (Target) and Ion Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis Tar Shampoo (Sally Beauty) the smell is very strong but it works wonders. I usually follow up this shampoo with a moisturizing shampoo. I also use tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil on my face and scalp. I have a special blend of oils that I use on my scalp actually.
I also find that shampoos that have peppermint oil also works very very well.

I've had SD for 15 yrs, I get it on my face and scalp, but I found ways to combat my flareups. I was my face with a very gentle soap basis soap (walmart) then I follow up with using shea butter and my oils. My face has very minimal break outs since I started this routine.

As far as your scalp is concerned, when you are using shampoos specifically for you scalp, try to focus directly on your scalp and not your hair. I use a separate shampoo for my hair. Oil you scalp everyday or every 3 days. If you SD is very bad wash you hair weekly, I do biweekly. I hope this helps. Oh... if you don't want to buy a new shampoo a few drops of tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, and peppermint oil to your shampoo and conditioner. This has also worked very well for me

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