Seborrheic Dermatitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Seborrheic Dermatitis?
A dermatologist, a doctor who treats skin conditions, is the doctor most often seen for seborrheic dermatitis. Your regular health care provider can also look at the rash and start care. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is seborrheic dermatitis?
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition. It causes a scaly rash on oily areas of the body, like the scalp and face. The scales are white to yellowish. The rash can appear with or without red skin.
Cradle cap is the name used when it affects a baby's scalp. Dandruff may be considered the mildest form of seborrheic dermatitis. The condition is not contagious, so you cannot catch it from another person.
Symptoms
It often forms where the skin is oily or greasy. Common areas include the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, creases of the nose, lips, behind the ears, and the middle of the chest. Signs can include:
- White and flaking, or yellowish, oily and sticky scales.
- Itching, which may get worse if the skin becomes infected.
- Mild redness.
On darker skin tones, the rash often looks pink, slightly purple, or lighter than the skin around it. People with lighter skin tones tend to have a red, raised rash. On a darker skin tone, the rash can also leave dark spots and patches.
Causes and who gets it
Doctors do not know the exact cause. It may come from a mix of factors: how active the oil glands are, yeasts called Malassezia that live on the skin, changes in the skin barrier, and your genes. Flare-ups are often worse in winter and early spring, and many people also notice them when they feel stressed.
The condition affects people of all ages and races. It is most likely to begin in infancy, in the teen years, or in adulthood. Men are more likely to get it than women. Other risk factors include oily skin, acne, heavy alcohol use, obesity, Parkinson disease, stroke, HIV, psoriasis, and rosacea.
How doctors diagnose it
The diagnosis is based on how the skin looks and where the rash is. A skin biopsy, where a small piece of skin is looked at under a microscope, is rarely needed. A doctor may do one if the rash could be another skin condition too, such as psoriasis.
Treatment
There is no cure, but treatment can ease the itch and lessen, and sometimes clear, the rash. The goals are to clear or lessen the rash and scales, ease the itch and swelling, and prevent flare-ups.
Flaking and dryness can often be treated with a dandruff or medicated shampoo that you can buy at the drugstore. Look for a label that says it treats seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff. These products can contain salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc, resorcinol, ketoconazole, or selenium sulfide. Use the shampoo as the label says.
For more severe cases, a provider may prescribe a stronger shampoo, cream, ointment, or lotion. These can include ketoconazole, ciclopirox, a corticosteroid, or medicines that calm the immune system, such as tacrolimus or pimecrolimus. A foam called roflumilast is approved for people 9 years of age and older. If treatment on the skin is not enough, a dermatologist may use antifungal pills or UVB light therapy, which uses carefully controlled ultraviolet light.
Cradle cap clears up on its own in a few weeks to months. Dandruff shampoo is not recommended for children. Parents can use baby shampoo and gently remove loosened scales. Sunlight may also help, and some people feel better in the summer.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if your symptoms do not respond to self-care or over-the-counter treatments. Also call if the patches drain fluid or pus, form crusts, or become very red or painful. Without treatment, the scale can thicken, and scratching the itchy rash can lead to an infection.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can look at your skin and help you decide whether to see a dermatologist.
Common questions
Is seborrheic dermatitis contagious?
No, seborrheic dermatitis is not contagious. You cannot catch it from another person.
Is seborrheic dermatitis the same as dandruff?
Not exactly. Dandruff may be considered the mildest form of seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis can also appear on the ears, eyebrows, beard, or skin around the nostrils. It also causes inflammation, which dandruff does not.
Does seborrheic dermatitis go away?
Sometimes it does, but it often comes and goes for life. In babies, cradle cap goes away on its own, usually within a few months. A teenager or adult may clear up without treatment, or may have flare-ups for life. Treatment can control it.
What makes seborrheic dermatitis flare up?
Stress or fatigue and weather extremes can bring on flare-ups. Flare-ups are often seasonal, with most happening in winter and early spring. The rash may fade in warm, humid weather.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Seborrheic dermatitis
- American Academy of Dermatology - Seborrheic dermatitis: Overview
- American Academy of Dermatology - Seborrheic dermatitis: Diagnosis and treatment
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
