Seborrheic dermatitis – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

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Seborrheic dermatitis causes a rash of oily patches with yellow or white scales. The rash may look darker or lighter in people with brown or Black skin and redder in those with white skin.

Seborrheic (seb-o-REE-ik) dermatitis is a common skin condition that mainly affects your scalp. It causes scaly patches, inflamed skin and stubborn dandruff. It usually affects oily areas of the body, such as the face, sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids and chest. This condition can be irritating but it's not contagious, and it doesn't cause permanent hair loss.

Seborrheic dermatitis may go away without treatment. Or you may need to use medicated shampoo or other products long term to clear up symptoms and prevent flare-ups.

Seborrheic dermatitis is also called dandruff, seborrheic eczema and seborrheic psoriasis. When it occurs in infants, it's called cradle cap.

Seborrheic dermatitis signs and symptoms may include:

The signs and symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis tend to flare with stress, fatigue or a change of season.

See your health care provider if:

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The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis isn't clear. It may be due to the yeast Malassezia, excess oil in the skin or a problem in the immune system.

Risk factors for seborrheic dermatitis include:

Sept. 27, 2022

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Seborrheic dermatitis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic