Skin Health Seborrheic Dermatitis Seborrheic Dermatitis Guide Seborrheic Dermatitis Guide Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis By Colleen Doherty, MD Colleen Doherty, MD, is a board-certified internist living with multiple sclerosis. Learn about our editorial process Colleen Doherty, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD on October 06, 2019 Casey Gallagher, MD, is board-certified in dermatology and works as a practicing dermatologist and clinical professor. Learn about our Medical Review Board Casey Gallagher, MD Updated on August 21, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Frequent Symptoms Complications When to See a Doctor Next in Seborrheic Dermatitis Guide Multiple Factors Are Likely at Play When It Comes to This Skin Disease Seborrheic dermatitis is a very common, chronic skin condition that causes red patches with overlying greasy, yellow scales to appear on the skin. These patches are believed to develop as a result of the body mounting an inflammatory response to a skin bug called Malassezia yeast. Frequent Symptoms Seborrheic dermatitis can develop at any age but most commonly develops in infants between 2 months to 12 months of age, and then later in adolescents and adults between the ages of 30 and 60. Adult Symptoms In adults, seborrheic dermatitis causes flaky, scaly patches on the skin that are itchy, moist, and yellowish in color. Underneath these scaly patches, the skin is generally red. The patches of seborrheic dermatitis develop on areas of the skin that contain a large number of sebaceous (oil-producing) glands, such as the face (including the ears, eyebrows, and eyelids) and scalp. Dandruff is actually a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis. Besides the scalp and face, other areas of the body that may be affected by seborrheic dermatitis include the upper chest and back, armpits, and groin. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. See Photo Seborrheic dermatitis. DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND Infant Symptoms Many infants develop a type of seborrheic dermatitis called cradle cap, which causes thick and scaling patches to form on the baby's scalp. Like with adults, these patches are greasy and yellow to brown in color. While cradle cap is harmless—it often causes no symptoms to the baby and usually goes away on its own within a few months—the rash can be distressing to the parent. Symptoms and Treatment of Your Baby's Flaky Scalp Some babies also develop seborrheic dermatitis on the neck and face, like on the eyelids, ears, or around the nose. Patches in the groin area may also develop and be confused for a diaper rash. Less commonly, babies develop scaling patches that cover their bodies. Complications Mostly in adults (and usually with more severe cases), if seborrheic dermatitis is left untreated, a secondary bacterial infection may occur. This can cause increased redness, tenderness, and oozing or weeping of the patch and the surrounding skin. Another potential complication of seborrheic dermatitis is related to the side effects of treatment. In adults, seborrheic dermatitis is often a chronic condition that requires on and off treatment to reduce inflammation and symptoms. While low-dose topical (on the skin) corticosteroid therapy is an effective medication for treating seborrheic dermatitis, long-term use can cause side effects like thinning of the skin and telangiectasias (dilated blood vessels). The Safe Way to Use Topical Steroids This is why doctors generally prefer milder agents to start, such as antifungal creams or medicated shampoos, and if needed, a non-steroid topical medication like Protopic (tacrolimus) or Elidel (pimecrolimus). When to See a Doctor It's always sensible to see your doctor for any new rash, and suspicion of seborrheic dermatitis is no exception. This is because there are other common skin conditions that can cause symptoms similar to those seen in seborrheic dermatitis. Some of these conditions include: Psoriasis Rosacea Allergic contact dermatitis Tinea versicolor fungal infection Pityriasis rosea Less commonly, secondary syphilis can trigger a widespread rash that can mimic the patches of seborrheic dermatitis. Facial seborrheic dermatitis may also mimic the classic "butterfly rash" seen in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To differentiate among these conditions, in addition to a medical history and physical examination, a dermatologist may perform a skin scraping/KOH test or a skin biopsy. A Word From Verywell If you think you or your child has symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, please speak with your doctor. For babies with just cradle cap, treatment may not be necessary. However, for babies with a more extensive rash, or for adults, prescription medication (in addition to self-care measures) may be warranted. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Dessinioti C, Katsambas A. Seborrheic dermatitis: etiology, risk factors, and treatments: facts and controversies. Clin Dermatol. 2013 Jul-Aug;31(4):343-51. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2013.01.001 Victoire A, Magin P, Coughlan J, van Driel ML. Interventions for infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis (including cradle cap).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Mar 4;3:CD011380. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011380.pub2 Goldenberg G. Optimizing Treatment Approaches in Seborrheic Dermatitis. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2013 Feb;6(2):44-49. Sasseville D. Seborrheic dermatitis in adolescents and adults. In: UpToDate, Fowler J (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA. Additional Reading American Academy of Dermatology. (2018). Seborrheic Dermatitis. Clark GW, Pope SM, Jaboori KA. Diagnosis and Treatment of Seborrheic Dermatitis. Am Fam Physician. 2015 Feb 1;91(3):185-90. National Eczema Association. (2002-2019). Seborrheic Dermatitis.