I bet you smell tasty when lettuce is around. 
Got that damn thing too. Also said by my doctor that it is stress related, incurable and now and then trade-off treatable. I just got used to it and leave it alone. Got it on the whole body in small patches, scalp and and area around nose and eyes are the worst.
I’m not sure how I missed this thread the first two times around, but at any rate. I have it very badly on my scalp and face, when it gets to the point of a bad outbreak. It was diagnosed via biopsy when I was about 15.
In the last five years, the thing that has helped the most has been alternating shampoos, rather than using the same one daily. I go back and forth between Head & Shoulders and Nizoral, currently. I almost never have outbreaks anymore, whereas previously, I was never under control.
I used Nizoral for a long time but there seemed to be a shortage for awhile- for whatever reason it was impossible to find that or dental floss in a normal store for the longest time.
Anyway, I started using another Ketoconazole shampoo that is marketed as sulfate-free and for the use in preventing hairloss (you will find many people online touting nizoral as a hairloss prevention shampoo). I can’t think of the name, but there is a 2nd shampoo alternated with it called “Nourishing Treatment”- I have found even using the 2nd shampoo primarily, which doesn’t have Keto, seems to help.
I tried various anti-fungal shampoos and lotions, no help. Oral anti-fungals, no help.
Tried the anti-inflammatory steroid shampoos and creams, no help. I turned down oral steroid meds because of a bad experience with them as a kid.
The only thing I found to help was either applying vinegar and shaving my hair short and rubbing vinager into my scalp. But it doesn’t work forever. Do it every few days.
Then I’ll switch to putting plain milk of magnesia on my face and scalp like a mud mask and leaving it on over night ans washing it off in the shower, this works well but eventually stops working. Do it every few days.
I’m guessing it makes my skin either acidic or base and inhibits the growth of whatever fungus is causing this.
Even science is not sure what causes SD, they think it could be immune system issues or fungus.
BTW plain milk of magnesia is just magnesium hydroxide in water, dollar store usually carries it. If you can’t find it some old fashioned pharmacies carry blocks of magnesium, just mix with water.
I read about sea salt washes, me being cheap and rational said well regular ol sodium chloride should work just as well right?
So just whipped some really salty water, splashed it all over my face and scalp and left it on overnight. WOW it hurt, it hurt bad for a few minutes but only the first time.
Huh it really has worked well, I do it before going to bed nightly for three nights now and it has totally wiped out a bad outbreak of SD.
Me likey!
I washed my hair a few times with regular old table salt and it seemed to help. I was worried about it being too harsh, though. Fortunately for me, I got relief from better shampoo and eating differently (or so it seems).
When my stress level is up and the moisture level in the air is down, up pop the skin issues. Stress does seem to have a lot to do with it for me, so I try to keep the level manageable. The good news is that it becomes more manageable the older I get.
For my hands, face, and body, I also moisturize like crazy. Aveeno is wonderful. My scalp and eyebrows are trickier to keep calm though. I use mild, moisturizing shampoo and conditioner every other day and never blow dry the hair all the way. And I don’t let hair styling products touch my scalp. A lot of this stuff tips the scales for me and then I can’t get my scalp back to normal for months. I sometimes use olive oil or vitamin E oil to help stave off an attack.
If (when) things get really out of hand, my dermatologist is ready for me. She has a full history of my skin issues and ready to help.
Wow I just had to post again that plain salt water is the best thing that has ever happened to me regarding SD, it really is amazing!
Every few days I splash some salt water on my scalp and face before going to bed, let it dry on and stay on overnight(most of the things I read say you can wash it off right away but eh your call) and just take a shower in the morning.
My face and scalp is clearer than they have been in a long time of the horrible flakes that if you pull them off leave a weepy sore spot. Absolutely amazing, and for pennies worth of salt.
I’m a believer and I hope this isn’t a transient thing where it loses it’s effectiveness, because this is amazing.
Thumbs way up for salt water washes for seborrheic dermatitis, if you’re struggling with it give salt water a try!
I had to stop using hydrocortizone cream on my face because it was “thinning” the skin. You could see the blood vessels through the skin on my face. Now I use a little bit of Vaseline intensive care lotion occasionally.
I wash my hair every day, alternating every other day with a dandruff shampoo.
I had SD on my face and scalp, Dr. prescribed Ketaconazole 2% cream and shampoo, used it religiously for 4-5 months, it did not work. On top of that I tried various other OTC medications, vinegar, sea salt etc.etc. nothing helped…
Then on my visit to India saw a dermatologist there, she prescribed a cream for the face called Eumasone-M, and was advised to put very thin layer once a day . Within one week the SD on my face completely cleared up.
Also I was prescribed a shampoo named Salisia KT (Salicylic acid + Ketaconazole). It cleared up my scalp after just 2 washes.
I couldn’t be happier after struggling for many months.:):):):):):):):)
Now I use the shampoo and cream very rarely when I see signs of SD on my skin or scalp.
I tried looking for these medications here in the states but I haven’t found any place that sells it.
Hi. I have Seborrheic Keratosis on both arm pits. I went through a year of not being able to properly shave, or use deodorant.
I found a soap at Walgreens & it cleared it up. It’s called Shea Moisture, American Black Soap, Eczema & Psoriasis Therapy. Good luck!
I’ve had seborrheic dermatitis for about 15 years, since I was in my late 30’s. I get it get on my head, face and chest. My nose and cheeks often seem the worst or most sensitive to it.
#1 is Betamethasone dipropionate Ointment .05%. This will make it go away temporarily. Make sure you get the “ointment” it’s clear and greasy but it spreads thin and goes a long way. The white “paste” type goes on too thick and doesn’t last long. If I use it at the onset in will prevent the rash from manifesting and it will go away. This is one of the recommended uses of Betamethasone. I surprised I didn’t see it mentioned in this thread.
I found it by accident. My ex wife was using it for another skin issue and I tried it and it worked great. I went to my doctor and he gave me a prescription for it. It’s around $100 a tube with no insurance but one tube can last for several months and up to 2-3 years depending on the severity. Since it is greasy/shiny I generally use it at bed time or when I’m at home. Even if it’s nearly a bleeding rash the Betamethasone will clear it up after I use it for 1-4 nights. This is to be used extremely lightly and kept away from your eyes. If you rub your face then eyes when sleeping that could be a problem. I’ve not noticed any issues using it around/near my eyes myself. This stuff helps to heal many/most skin irritations and sores. It also speeds up healing with cuts and scrapes. Betamethasone can be used as the last line of defense. It always works for me 100% of the time. I don’t win the war but I can always win the battle.
“Betamethasone dipropionate is a “super high potency” corticosteroid used to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. It is a synthetic analog of the adrenal corticosteroids. Although its exact mechanism of action is not known, it is effective when applied topically to cortico-responsive inflammatory dermatoses.”
Some other observations:
Being out in the Sun can make it worse but not that often. The Sun never helps. Even being-in/driving a car with UV glass can cause it to manifest, but not always. Usually I can be out in the Sun or ride in a convertible and it doesn’t bother me, then sometimes it does. Stress and harsh soap makes it worse. I’ve found that many OTC and prescription medications will cause it to manifest. Some medications cause it within a day and some take a few weeks of use. Many things can cause it to manifest. Stress, Sun exposure and not keeping clean daily are a major cause.
Things that help:
T Gel is a bit harsh for the face but works on the scalp and chest. Head and Shoulders generally prevents it when use daily when showering. It can be used on the face and is less harsh than the T gel.
Sun block helps when your out. I use baby Sun block on my face so the fumes don’t irritate my eyes as much. Sunblock can run into your eyes to when used on your forehead and sweating. It’s very irritating to the eyes.
Taking a shower every day helps a lot with prevention. It seems to manifest when my scalp and skin becomes oily. Washing my face with water (no soap) before bed or anytime it feels oily helps. After washing I can use a very mild lotion. Strong lotions like “Aveeno for elbows and knees” work better but the fumes generally irritate my eyes if I use it on my face.
Hope this helps someone.
I had seborrheic dermatitis for so long as 10 years shortly after starting high school, but I no longer have this condition for almost two years, so I’m pretty confident in saying that I am cured. It all began when I changed the way I washed my face. In retrospect, had I known about how to clean my face properly, I would have had a much better quality of life.
The key is to keep my face oil in check or even oil-free.
Basically, I only use water to wash my face, twice a day; no more, no less, in the morning and before I go to bed. I’ll use my hands to gently scrub my face to wash away the oil and keep doing so until I feel with my own hands no more oil left on my face. Also, I tried not to use any facial cleansers containing chemicals, since most of those products only irritate my skin. And no moisturizers! They only make my skin oilier. I used to think I had a dry skin problem due to the flakes all over my face, and that my face needed to be moisturized, but I was wrong. Quite the opposite, I have an oily face! By the way, I do use shampoos when washing my hair though.
I used to have lots of red patches on my face, especially my eyebrows, forehead, and scalp. Quite often my face would feel so itchy that I could not even sleep all night. Thankfully by doing what I just said I do not have them any more.
Just to add to my own recommendation.
I can’t get the hemp shampoo anymore but I have switched to the Bodyshop Ginger shampoo, just as good.
I have it for a week or two, then it goes away for a few months or even a year then it comes back for a week etc. Lots of washing and showering helps, also trying to tame my godawful sleeping patterns. I’m sporting a beard; razors and SD are not good friends. Tried prescripted Urea, didnt help and it burns like hell. The only medical anti-dandruff shampo that was effective was Oronazol. I’m using highly hydrating creme such is Nivea Soft (regular Nivea wont help). I know it’s not a cure but it’s very soothing. Now I’m in dormant period and my face is fine save for the flake or two on the scalp edge.
I’m an oily skin and hair beast. I use Neutro on my face and back and switch between Aveeno eucalyptus shampoo and Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint or eucalyptus liquid soap. I tend to get gnarly cystic acne at my neck hairline and behind my ears and this routine helps.