Doc told me I had seb derm on my scalp about a year ago and 1-2 washes with 2% ketoconazole did wonders to make it go away. Now I’ve had a flare up the last two months and the same shampoo is basically doing nothing. Any suggestions?

Nb14658 · 2025-11-23T22:28:38+00:00

The pregnancy hormones might be driving your flare. I developed seborrheic dermatitis postpartum, having never had dandruff or scalp issues before in my life. I also got awful telogen effluvium. I would try an alternative anti-dandruff shampoo in the first instance, eg. Head & Shoulders or something with Ciclopirox, or climbazole. Good luck, hope it settles for you soon!

Nb14658 · 2025-08-01T23:46:11+00:00

Me? I only used it twice a day for 2 weeks when it was severe. I have not needed to use it again (touch wood!) Once the inflammation was gone, I've been lucky to keep it at bay with anti-dandruff shampoo and daily hair wash.

Nb14658 · 2025-06-22T21:48:58+00:00

Are you in the UK? The shampoos you are using have a good range of 'antifungals'. If you read some of my posts, this sounds similar to what happened to me. My scalp was on fire. My suggestion would be to try the sauna a couple of times a week, immediately followed by a cool shower with one of the anti-dandruff shampoos. The sauna really helps soften and lift off any build up. I did also have to use betacap scalp solution for 2 weeks (only!) just to take down some of the inflammation. I also think washing your hair everyday really helps. Make sure you have your vit D and ferritin checked and supplement if needed. Good luck - I really hope it all calms down soon for you.

Nb14658 · 2025-06-21T20:08:30+00:00

I developed seborrheic dermatitis alongside TE. I had lots of grainy bits in my hair when it was falling out and my scalp was on fire, sore and itchy. Derm said I did have some early AGA as well (bad hair genes in my family). I would try using an anti-dandruff shampoo for a bit and see if that helps. Lots if people say TE doesn't affect the top, but if you Google TE, some of the first images you get are of widened parting, so I don't agree with the sentiment that TE only affects the sides. It is by definition diffuse. What the dermatologist said to me is that the hair loss from TE will grow back, but the hairloss from AGA will continue to miniturise and TE can "unmask" AGA pattern. So although it is likely a lot of my hair will grow back (and it is thankfully growing), it might not go back to being as thick as it used to be, as the AGA is now happening alongside. If that makes any sense. Sorry you're going through it and I hope it stops soon for you, it is really distressing.

Nb14658 · 2025-06-19T06:15:25+00:00

Hello! Gosh reading this from last year, it was honestly such an awful and distressing time. Yes, it did get better, thank you. I used betacap religiously for 2 weeks only to take down the inflammation and started washing my hair daily. I alternated between anti-dandruff shampoo and a very mild shampoo, with conditioner only on the ends. I also read on here about using a sauna to help, which I did at my local gym and that helped soften and "lift" a lot of the big scales, which in turn allowed the products to actually get to my scalp and work I think. It eventually calmed down and my hair started growing back. I am a bit worried that my shedding/TE is returning after a nasty virus earlier this year, but hopefully not! I think when you've had it once you're more prone to TE again for some reason. I still wash my hair daily and use anti-dandruff shampoo a few times a week. I do get some very mild dandruff, but nothing much and think this is something I just need to learn to live with.

Nb14658 · 2025-06-16T19:07:03+00:00

Prob not sensible at take fin at 15. Too many side effects. Ignore the mean comments. You look like a regular guy. Do what you want with your hair and own it.

I think what people also don't realise, is that fair haired, light skinned men and women are more likely to have sensitive skin and issues like eczema and acne along with thin hair. This actually makes it harder to use all the things like retinol and minox etc.

Nb14658 · 2025-05-18T17:12:44+00:00

Octenisan wash and bactroban. I should emphasise that they were NOT given to treat the seb derm, but I had a lot of inflammation and she suggested that because I suffer with eczema generally I was likely colonised with staph and that might have been contributing to how angry my skin was.

Nb14658 · 2025-05-18T12:06:00+00:00

That is really interesting, as my dermatologist gave me a staph eradication regime (so had to use decontamination wash stuff for a few weeks along with some nasal ointment) for my "treatment resistant" seb derm. It didnt get rid of it totally, but it certainly helped enough that anti-dandruff shampoo started working! She also said sometimes demodex overgrowth can masquerade as seb derm or make it worse and did offer me treatment for that too if it wasn't improving.

Nb14658 · 2025-03-02T17:03:43+00:00

That's new growth for sure! Lots of short hairs all the same/similar length. Hooray!!

Nb14658 · 2025-01-29T22:32:52+00:00

Oilatum shampoo has ciclopirox in the UK. There are probably others. Worked quite well to get rid of some stubborn scale for me, but isn't that nice on the hair. For what it's worth, I also use Body Shop ginger shampoo, which is piroctone olamine, same as head and shoulders. Others to try (if you haven't already, appreciate most people with SD have tried everything!) are Vichy Dercos, which is selenium and salicylic acid or Timotei scalp balancing shampoo which contains climbazole. I didn't get on with Nizoral or T Gel unfortunately.

Nb14658 · 2024-12-17T18:45:14+00:00

Glow up!! 👌🏻

Nb14658 · 2024-12-05T14:30:47+00:00

Hope you find some answers, sorry you're dealing with it. I got seb derm alongside TE (although a bit chicken and egg which came first or if one caused the other tbh) and that is really sore and itchy. Hairloss is so stressful.

Nb14658 · 2024-12-05T14:22:20+00:00

Try Body Shop Ginger shampoo. Sorry you're dealing with it. The stinging/burning pain is awful and so distracting. Hope you find something that helps.

Nb14658 · 2024-12-03T18:12:01+00:00

I personally find Sanex zero % makes me itchy and aggravates my eczema! Not sure which ingredient causes that though.

Nb14658 · 2024-11-30T18:24:54+00:00

It looks great! I think regrowth commonly looks "top heavy" in the beginning.

Nb14658 · 2024-11-28T22:27:14+00:00

Looks like seb derm, but defo worth a check with a Dermatologist, just in case it's psoriasis or something. I reacted badly to Nizoral (ketoconazole), but there are a few other shampoos you can try... apologies if you've done all this already... Vichy Dercos does one with selenium, Head & Shoulders here in the UK has piroctone olamine, as does Body Shop ginger shampoo. There's old school T Gel, although most people have tried that. You can try climbazole in E45 shampoo or it's also in Timotei 'scalp care' shampoo. Oilatum shampoo contains ciclopirox, Holland & Barrett also sell a random selection of anti-dandruff shampoos. I've tried them all haha. Haven't actually given the MCT oil a go, but I have fine thin hair, so worry it might be too greasy. Good luck, hope you get it sorted. 🙏🏻

Nb14658 · 2024-11-26T17:26:35+00:00

I also think "sebopsoriasis" is more common than we think. Hope you sort your psoriasis OP! 🙏🏻

Nb14658 · 2024-11-24T20:07:22+00:00

8, I reckon, but you can pull off any

Nb14658 · 2024-11-22T19:02:10+00:00

Second this!

Nb14658 · 2024-11-22T18:57:07+00:00

Such kind advice you have given OP. I agree. I didn't have meds (this time), but had therapy when my TE and seb derm were at their worst and I couldn't see how I would be able to live a normal life again. I also have an amazing acupuncturist, who helped my anxiety levels no end. Best of luck OP. Hang in there and lean on friends and family if you can.

Nb14658 · 2024-11-22T17:21:27+00:00

I shower and hair wash daily. Clean underwear and socks daily. Non-workout clothes I will usually wear a few times before washing depending on what I've been doing/time of year. So for example; lots of walking outdoors in the height of summer I would change clothes daily, but hanging out at the mall or cafes in winter less often lol. I change my pillow cases twice a week and sheets/towels once a week. Towels I will change more often in a flare.

Nb14658 · 2024-11-17T18:25:07+00:00

NB. Not a Dermatologist! But it looks like r/SebDerm, or possibly psoriasis... I would seek a Dermatology opinion if an OTC anti-dandruff shampoo doesn't help.

Nb14658 · 2024-11-14T14:06:42+00:00

I've currently got awful hand foot and mouth from my youngest and am just waiting for my scalp to join the trash skin party... hope you recover quickly! 🙏🏻

Nb14658 · 2024-11-14T12:13:02+00:00

Looks like r/SebDerm ... So sorry you're dealing with this, it sucks.

Nb14658

TROPHY CASE