Do you have Seborrhoeic dermatitis?

[RedHotCanuck]

If so, how do you control it?

I found using Nizoral shampoo about twice a week helped me the best.

[irishgenes]

I found that taking one dose of the oral "vaginal yeast" drug Diflucan cured my seb derm for about three months. It gradually came back, so I just take a dose every few months. I had a bad case with an actual swelling the size of a half dollar at the top of the scalp, crusting, & sore bumps all along the hairline. I don't know if OTC vaginal yeast drugs would work.

[Andy]

What keeps my seb derm under more or less 100% control is H&S Intensive Treatment, which I use for both hair and face, and in some cases, when a small "breakout" comes up, Cutanix DRL for Sensitive Skin.

[Jordan]

Canuck, doesn't the shampoo irritate your rosacea? Does mine, but it seems to control the seb derm to a degree. Anyways, I use Nizoral (2% ketoconazole cream) to control my seb derm when I'm getting an outbreak.

[RedHotCanuck]

Jordan,

Nizoral doesn't bother me. I've been using it for about 6 weeks now.. maybe twice a week and its really cleared it up nicely. Some days it'll feel a little rough but nothing like it was before. I don't mind sitting or walking in front of people now .. lol

[Strive]

I have it mostly at the hairline on my scalp, and eyebrows, and have found that saturating the areas with olive oil before shampooing (about 15-20 minutes) better allows the ingredients in the shampoo to penetrate the buildup of skin.

[Jordan]

That's interesting. Canuck when you wash your face with the Nizoral shampoo do you wash your face with a soap first? That seems like it would be a bit irritating to sensitive skin. Strive: what shampoo do you use?

[RedHotCanuck]

I only use the Nizoral shampoo on my scalp about twice a week. Other days I use a baby shampoo because it doesnt contain all the other fragrances, etc...

[Jordan]

Oh, I assumed you had seb derm on your face, like I do, nevermind.

[Tamara]

I have seb derm on my scalp, but seemingly not on my face. Long ago a derm had me try the Nizoral shampoo. He told me to put it on my face too. It made me break out with something like 20 or 30 pustules all over my face. I told him the Nizoral did it and he didn't believe me. Of course I quit using the Nizoral and I didn't keep having those kinds of outbreaks.

When I've tried the OTC shampoos they've really trashed my hair, which is long. I've concluded that if I wanted to use them I would have to have short hair so the damaged hair could frequently be removed.

Does the Nizoral shampoo really help with seb derm on the scalp? If so, maybe I should try it again on my scalp only and NOT on my face.

I've used Diprolene, Clobetasol, Olux Foam and Dermasmoothe. Have any of you tried those meds? Probably all but the Dermasmoothe are cortisone. Actually, it might be cortisone too; I'm not sure.

Tamara

[Jordan]

The Nizoral helped me with the dandruff, but not to an amazing amount. I mean OTC Neutrogena with .5% coal tar does the exact same job for dandruff/seb derm on scalp if not better.

[RedHotCanuck]

Tamara,

My seb derm on my scalp was getting pretty bad until I started using Nizoral. I use it about twice a week now. Its as good as any other shampoo.. just massage it into your scalp and leave it sit for about 10 mins, then rinse.

On the other days, I use a baby shampoo because it isn't harsh like others.

Its done wonders for me .. Ive never put it on my face and never will.

[Kenne in Hawaii]

I have seb derm in addition to type 1 rosacea and ocular, too. Nizoral shampoo works very well for me, and I do put it on the affected areas of the face, and it helps there, too. Dr Nase has advised against using it on the face, but I had already started when he said that, so I've continued without problems.

I find that the more powerful antibiotics, like clarithromycin, make my seb derm flare up to a degree that even the Nizoral cannot control it. Too bad, because clarithromycin really makes my eyes feel better.

Live and learn...

:arrow:

[Jordan]

Yes but it is essential that people with seb derm control it. If left untreated seb derm gets sooooooooo bad and red looking and inflamed and it hurts like hell. and flakes like hell.

[nyc_zanne]

I have found that Boscia Recharging Night Moisture works well on face seb derm. I got a sample at Sephora. I did not like the day cream as much

[Strive]

Jordan,

Oddly enough, I've used Pert Plus Dandruff Shampoo to control it after trying all sorts of shampoos without success, including those with coal tar. I've never tried Nizoral. The olive oil really makes a difference, too, as I explained earlier.

I haven't had it on my face, except around my eyebrows and hairline for years, now. Don't know why.

I'm also trying to figure out if some sort of food intolerance brings it on. I have it narrowed, possibly, to milk products and/or wheat products. I'm leaning toward the wheat at the moment, as it's gotten much worse recently after I began to eat some really good whole wheat bread, daily. Rats. Ironically, I was trying to eat a better, healthier diet.

My dad had it, too. And his improved with an increase in calcium and decrease in phosphorous. Don't know if there's any merit in calcium/phosphorous imbalances, but I've heard of issues related to it.

Any thoughts on that?

:arrow:

[Spav]

Hi Marc,

I've been using Nizoral (2% ketoconazole cream) on my face now for seb derm for about 3 weeks. It was my IPL doc who perscribed it to me. I asked him if it would irritate my rosacea and he said it wouldn't. Does this mean the cream might actually be making my rosacea worse? (i have vascular rosacea) Is it the yeast that inflames the skin?

Cheers,

Spav

:arrow:

[Spav]

Once again another Doc has let me down surprise, surprise.

Marc,

You mentioned taking oregano oil, is this good for seb derm? Is there anything i can take that won't irritate my vessels. My problem is my skin had been getting very flakey predominantly around the centre of my face where my rosacea is worse. I'm worried this is thinning my skin.

Any advice appreciated,

Spav

[Jordan]

Jordan,

Oddly enough, I've used Pert Plus Dandruff Shampoo to control it after trying all sorts of shampoos without success, including those with coal tar. I've never tried Nizoral. The olive oil really makes a difference, too, as I explained earlier.

I haven't had it on my face, except around my eyebrows and hairline for years, now. Don't know why.

I'm also trying to figure out if some sort of food intolerance brings it on. I have it narrowed, possibly, to milk products and/or wheat products. I'm leaning toward the wheat at the moment, as it's gotten much worse recently after I began to eat some really good whole wheat bread, daily. Rats. Ironically, I was trying to eat a better, healthier diet.

My dad had it, too. And his improved with an increase in calcium and decrease in phosphorous. Don't know if there's any merit in calcium/phosphorous imbalances, but I've heard of issues related to it.

Any thoughts on that?

Strive,

I recently went to a doctor who gave me a food-allergy test to see which foods I was allergic to. It was right on. I was allergic to Brewer's Yeast(beer), and Baker's Yeast(any bread or flour product). He said people with yeast allergies always have skin problems. This isn't just your regular doc though he has a good repuation and I would recommend getting a food-allergy test for yourself, and any other seb derm sufferers. The doc that did mine was Warren Willey, he wrote the book What Does Your Doctor Look Like Naked?. Additionally, food-allergy tests are covered by insurance, they paid for mine completely.

[Strive]

Jordan,

Thanks for your suggestions regarding food allergies. I did go last year to see about them, and had no reaction to any of the test spots. I'm not sure, however, that they tested me for yeast. I'll have to find out.

The allergist did suggest that I might have an intolerance vs an allergy to wheat, which would not show a typical reaction.

There wouldn't be more yeast in whole wheat than, say, white bread, would there? I don't seem to react to more processed breads, but do when I consume whole wheats. (I think.)[/quote]

[Winnie M]

That time I wanted to send my first post "SD is difficult to deal with" but wrongly put it in "new topic". Actually several topics here about seborrheic dermatitis better be combined as one topic. Don't know if the admin group can do this.

[Jordan]

Yes White Bread still has Baker's Yeast in it as well as wheat.

[Strive]

Well, my experiment in avoiding the whole wheat bran items, like bran flakes and whole grain bread seems to have paid off. Seb derm--gone. Took a couple of weeks to get out of my system. Hope it stays that way.

[bethanne]

Strive,

Did you eliminate anything else from your diet,
like sugar (refined and/or fruit?)

I'm experimenting with that right now and seeing
some results, along with the Oregano oil.

I'd never heard the connection between wheat
and seb derm, though I can't tolerate wheat
anyway because it causes papules. I'd given
it up years ago, yet still suffered seb derm.

Beth

[Strive]

Bethanne,

I haven't changed anything else, at least, not on purpose.

Never been one to eat a lot of refined sugar, but I don't avoid it. And I LOVE fruit.

Very odd, how what works for one doesn't necessarily work for the other.
Like I said, I'll see if it lasts.

Hope your experiment works out.

[snwbdrloco84]

Is wheat the problem in bread or is it more breads with yeast?I have been eating a organic bread without yeast, but I am wondering if I should eliminate wheat altogether.

Ray

[Buster]

I dont know about the diet part.
I developed seb derm because of mental stress and using a azelaic based acne cream. Diet had nothing to do with it.
When you cay that: My seb derm is gone after cutting wheat, do you mean your sebum levels are normalised, your pores are normal, you have no acne and no inflammatory seb derm lesions? What kind of skin type are you?

I have a hard time believing this, but a little bit more information about your condition and how it has cleared up would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[ian]

I tried eliminating refined sugars and breads/yeasts, combined with the addition of probiotics for a month. No noticeable effect on the frequency or intensity of Seborrheic Dermatitis. Ah well.

[polster]

I have had seb derm ever since I can remember. I'm a male 28 years old. I've tried every products from over the counter to prescription.

What I found works best:

1. For Scalp Dermatitis mix 1/2 cup Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with 5 - 6 asprin mixed in with baby shampoo. mix the ingredietns and make sure the asprin is disoved before applying. Wet your scalp and apply the shampoo mixture and leave on for 15 minutes and rinse out.

The idea is the the acid in the apple cider vinegar kills the yeast on the skin and the Asprin (many of you dont know) is salicylic acid which is in a lot of dandruff shampoos already. The asprin breaks down the oily skin and helps remove the flakes as well.

Make sure if you buy apple cider vinegar it s the organic unfiltered one and not the ones they sell at major food stores which is filtered and heated. The one I use is called Bragg's apple cider vinegar.

There is a whole support forum on seb derm and using apple vinegar to clear it up: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/seborrheic-dermatitis-support/

2. For Dermatitis on the chest area (eczema) I found that Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Cream has been working great. Yes the foot cream I apply on my chest as it 100% natural. Idea again is that its creating lipid (FAT) barrier in the skin which allows the skin to heal without causing flaking. Its thought people with exzema lack this barrier that allows the skin to naturally heal and thats why we get rashes easilty in the same spots.

Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Cream Ingredients:
The emollient qualities of coconut oil soothe and smooth rough skin of neglected feet. 4 oz.Ingredients: Vegetable glycerin, olive oil, oat protein, lanolin, water, coconut oil, tocopherol (vitamin E), peppermint oil, rosemary extract, fragrance.99.30% Natural