Seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp, also known as dandruff, is caused by a yeast called malessizia and excessive oil production. Cradle cap is a similar condition that occurs in infants. Flare-ups are unknown, but hygiene may be a factor. Medicated shampoos are the most common treatment. The condition can also occur in other areas where oil accumulates.
Seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp is more commonly referred to as dandruff, especially when it occurs in adults. The causes are somewhat mysterious: There is some evidence that a yeast known as malessizia could be partially responsible, and this could be exacerbated by excessive oil production in the skin. The increased oil production that aggravates the ailment may be an inherited trait, at least in some cases. There have also been studies showing an increase in seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp for people suffering from certain neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, but this connection is not well understood.
There is another version of seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp called cradle cap that only occurs in infants. This type is thought to have a different cause, but is also relatively mysterious. Many children develop it at some point in infancy, and then it usually goes away on its own. Getting cradle cap does not necessarily have any bearing on whether the person will develop seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp as an adult.
When people have seborrheic dermatitis, they can go for long periods where their symptoms go away and then come back. The reasons for the flare-ups are unknown, but some people think it may be related to hygiene. If you let the oil build up on your scalp for a long time, it can cause the yeast ailment to become overabundant and it may be related in some way.
Many different treatments can be used for seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp, but the most common approach is medicated shampoo. If these are used as directed, they will usually be sufficient to eliminate symptoms, at least for a while. Many of these shampoos are available over the counter in most countries, but for more severe cases, there are some shampoos that require a prescription.
Seborrheic dermatitis is relatively common on a person’s scalp, but the condition can develop elsewhere on a person’s body as well. Any area where oil tends to build up is generally a likely area where this condition can occur. For example, some people develop seborrheic dermatitis on their ears or nose. Most experts think that the scalp is a more common location mainly because the hair on a person’s head leads to more oil accumulation and the scalp is also an area where a lot of oil is produced compared to other places .
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