What is worse than an itchy scalp? An inflamed, itchy scalp that is losing hair left, right, and center. Seborrheic Dermatitis is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions, right after acne vulgaris. Not only does this condition get painful, embarrassing, and irritating, but it also leads to severe hair fall. It might sound scary, but seborrheic dermatitis is actually super easy to treat. But, before we get into how to treat it, allow me to give you some more insight on this condition.
What Is Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition which results in hair fall. It can be described as a more severe type of dandruff where the skin becomes inflamed and oily, and flakes uncontrollably.
How Is Seborrheic Dermatitis Caused?
No one has zeroed in on the cause of seborrheic dermatitis yet. However, it is associated with excessive sebum production (the natural oil produced by your scalp to keep your hair healthy). The condition is also associated with the excessive growth of the naturally occurring skin fungus called Malassezia. While the exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is yet to be determined, these are two common factors in most of the cases of the condition.
Other factors that may also contribute to the issue include:
- Improper care of the scalp and maintaining an improper diet.
- External factors such as bad weather conditions and constant exposure to pollution.
- The overuse of products like harsh shampoos, styling creams, and gels, and leave-in conditioners.
- Seborrheic dermatitis is common in individuals who have immune system disorders like HIV/AIDS.
- Some newborn babies develop seborrheic dermatitis when androgens from the mother are passed on to the baby from across the placenta.
Symptoms Of Seborrheic Dermatitis
The most common symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis are:
- Heavy flaking.
- Inflammations on the scalp, often in the form of papules.
- Oily scales.
- White and yellow flakes.
- Severe itching.
- Skin peeling.
- Scaly patches that peel off to reveal pink skin.
- Hair loss.
Can Seborrheic Dermatitis Cause Hair Loss?
Yes, seborrheic dermatitis can cause hair loss. The excessive production of oil and heavy flaking causes irritation and follicle-clogging. This painful and aggravated scalp makes for an unfavorable foundation for your hair, weakening them at the roots and leading to hair fall.
How To Treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
There are a number of treatments on the market that promise to cure seborrheic dermatitis. They come in the form of creams, shampoos, and conditioners that contain ingredients that have been proven to be effective against the issue. These treatments include:
- Medicated shampoos that contain ingredients like zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, coal tar, salicylic acid, and cade oil.
- Topical creams or lotions that help in controlling the natural yeast on your skin, keeping them from proliferating. They also help soothe inflammations.
- Some shampoos that are formulated with botanical extracts that help gently cleanse your scalp, and reduce itching and flaking to a certain extent.
- Antibiotics that help control skin flora. This helps reduce inflammation.
While these treatments can give you a temporary fix, they usually fail to help you in the long term. It is always a wiser option to opt for home remedies that do not cause side effects. Keep reading to find a list of 26 home remedies for hair loss caused by seborrheic dermatitis.
Home Remedies To Treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
1. Tea Tree Oil And Aloe Vera
You Will Need
- 20 drops tea tree oil
- 2 tbsp aloe vera gel
Prep Time
2 minutes
Treatment Time
15 minutes
Method
- Combine the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
- Apply this to your scalp and leave it on for about 15 minutes.
- Wash off with cool water and a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.
How Often?
2-3 times a week.
Why This Works
Tea tree oil helps penetrate your hair follicles and clear out any fungal infections while the aloe vera helps soothe itching and scalp irritation. This combination also helps maintain the pH balance of your scalp, skin, and hair.
2. Garlic
You Will Need
- 1 clove of garlic
- 2-3 tbsp of water
- Cotton pad
Prep Time
5 minutes
Treatment Time
Overnight
Method
- Crush a clove of garlic to a pulp.
- To the pulp, add about 2 tablespoons of water.
- Mix well and filter out the garlic solution.
- Heat the solution until it is slightly warm.
- Apply the solution to the affected areas with a cotton pad. Leave it in overnight.
- Wash your scalp with warm water in the morning.
How Often?
2-3 times a week.
Why This Works
Garlic is an excellent home remedy for seborrheic dermatitis because of its anti-fungal properties. For better results, you can increase your garlic intake while also using it as a topical treatment.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
You Will Need
- 4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups water
Prep Time
2 minutes
Treatment Time
5 minutes
Method
- Dilute 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with two cups of water and then set the solution aside in a jug.
- Proceed to shampoo your hair with a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.
- Follow it up by conditioning your hair.
- Once you’ve rinsed the conditioner out of your hair, pour the apple cider vinegar through it as a final rinse.
How Often?
Once a week.
Why This Works
Apple cider vinegar helps balance the pH level of your scalp while also boosting its health by killing off harmful bacteria and fungus. It also helps reduce flaking and soothes itching.
4. Lemon
You Will Need
- 2 tbsp pure lemon juice
- Cotton pad
Prep Time
2 minutes
Treatment Time
15 minutes
Method
- Squeeze out about 2 tablespoons of lemon juice from some fresh lemons.
- Using a cotton pad, apply the juice to the affected areas of your scalp.
- Leave the lemon juice on for about 15 minutes and then wash your hair with warm water.
How Often?
2-3 times a week.
Why This Works
Lemon juice has acidic properties that help balance out the scalp’s pH level. It also helps control oil production on the scalp, preventing clogging and excessive flaking.
5. Natural Oils
You Will Need
- 2 tbsp carrier oil (Such as coconut, olive, jojoba or almond oil)
- Towel
Prep Time
2 minutes
Treatment Time
Overnight
Method
- Take about 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil of your choice. Coconut oil is a good choice because of its penetrative and antibacterial properties. Whatever oil you choose, ensure itis completely organic and preferably cold-pressed.
- Heat the oil until it is slightly warm and then massage it into your scalp and all the affected areas.
- Leave the oil in overnight. You can wrap your hair in a towel to avoid getting your pillows greasy.
- In the morning, wash your hair with lukewarm water and a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.
How Often?
2-3 times a week.
Why This Works
Oiling your hair helps soothe your sebaceous glands, keeping your hair from getting too greasy. It also helps soothe inflammation while boosting scalp health.
6 Aspirin
You Will Need
- 2 aspirin tablets
- A mild, sulfate-free shampoo
Prep Time
2 minutes
Treatment Time
5 minutes
Method
- Crush two aspirin tablets until you get a fine powder.
- Add the powder to the amount of shampoo you usually use to wash your hair.
- Rinse your hair and proceed to wash it with this aspirin-shampoo mixture.
- Leave the shampoo in your hair for a couple of minutes before you rinse it off.
How Often?
2-3 times a week.
Why This Works
Aspirin contains Salicylates, which are the same active ingredients that are found in dandruff shampoos. This helps soothe your scalp and reduce flaking.
7. Baking Soda
You Will Need
- 2 tbsp baking soda
Prep Time
1 minute
Treatment Time
5 minutes
Method
- Rinse your hair with warm water.
- Gently massage your wet hair and scalp with the baking soda.
- After massaging your hair for a couple of minutes, rinse the baking soda out with warm water.
How Often?
2-3 times a week.
Why This Works
While your hair might take a while to adjust to the baking soda, it will start to become softer after a couple of uses. This is an amazing alternative to shampoo as it will keep your sebaceous glands from going into overdrive, controlling oil production.
8. Oat Straw
You Will Need
- 2 tbsp oat straw
- 2 cups water
Prep Time
15 minutes
Treatment Time
5 minutes
Method
- Make an oat straw infusion by boiling 2 tablespoons of the herb in 2 cups of water.
- Set the infusion aside to cool.
- Wash and condition your hair as your normally would.
- After rinsing out the conditioner, pour the oat straw infusion through your hair as a final rinse.
How Often?
2-3 times a week.
Why This Works
Oat straw is an excellent treatment for seborrheic dermatitis. It helps relieve itching and reduces inflammation. It also helps reduce anxiety and stress, both of which often worsen dandruff.
9. Honey
You Will Need
- 1 tbsp raw honey
- 1 tbsp water
Prep Time
2 minutes
Treatment Time
3 hours
Method
- Dilute the raw honey with an equal amount of water.
- Apply the diluted honey onto the affected areas on your scalp.
- Let it sit for about 3 hours and then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
How Often?
3 times a week.
Why This Works
Honey has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that help reduce the infection. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe your scalp and quicken the wound healing process.
10. Borage Oil
You Will Need
- 1 tsp borage oil
- Cotton pad
Prep Time
2 minutes
Treatment Time
Overnight
Method
- Take about a teaspoon of borage oil and saturate a cotton pad with it.
- Use the cotton pad to dab on the oil onto the affected areas on your scalp.
- Leave the oil in overnight, and, in the morning, rinse it out with a mild, sulfate-free shampoo and lukewarm water.
How Often?
3-4 times a week.
Why This Works
Borage oil contains essential fatty acids that help combat seborrheic dermatitis. It helps nourish and moisturize your scalp while calming oil production and soothing inflammation.
11. Vicks
You Will Need
- Vicks VapoRub
Prep Time
1 minute
Treatment Time
Overnight
Method
- Simply apply Vicks VaporRub onto the affected areas, as you would with any topical ointment.
- Leave it on overnight.
- In the morning, wash your hair with an extremely mild cleanser.
How Often?
Every other day.
Why This Works
Vicks has anti-fungal properties that help kill the bacteria and soothe dermatitis. The rub helps kill off Malassezia, which effectively solves the problem. However, the rub might make your hair feel greasy.
12. Milk Of Magnesia
You Will Need
- 1 tbsp Milk of Magnesia
- Cotton Pad
Prep Time
1 minute
Treatment Time
Overnight
Method
- Take a tablespoon of milk of magnesia and dab it onto the affected areas with a cotton pad.
- Leave it on overnight.
How Often?
Every day or every other day for two weeks.
Why This Works
This treatment helps banish excess grease, preventing the clogging of your pores. It balances oil production while also soothing seborrheic dermatitis.
13. Chickpea Flour
You Will Need
- 2 tbsp chickpea flour
- 1-2 tbsp curd
Prep Time
2 minutes
Treatment Time
30 minutes
Method
- Mix the chickpea flour and curd until you get a smooth mixture.
- Apply this mixture onto your scalp and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
- Wash the mixture out with a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.
How Often?
2-3 times a week.
Why This Works
Curd and chickpea help soothe your scalp and reduce inflammation. This is also a popular home remedy for dandruff.
14. Raspberry
You Will Need
- 5 tbsp dried raspberry leaves
- 1 liter water
Prep Time
15 minutes
Treatment Time
5 minutes
Method
- Take about 5 tablespoons of dried raspberry leaves and boil it in a liter of water.
- Let it steep for about 15 minutes and then set it aside to cool.
- Once cool, wash your hair with a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.
- Pour the raspberry tea through your hair as a final rinse.
- Do not rinse your hair any further.
How Often?
1-2 times a week.
Why This Works
Raspberry has excellent healing properties. It is a rich source of tannins and has astringent properties which help heal seborrheic dermatitis.
15. Chamomile
You Will Need
- 2 tbsp dried chamomile
- 2 cups water
Prep Time
15 minutes
Treatment Time
5 minutes
Method
- Take about 2 tablespoons of dried chamomile and boil it in 2 cups of water.
- Let it steep for about 15 minutes and then set it aside to cool.
- Once cool, wash your hair with a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.
- Pour the chamomile tea through your hair as a final rinse.
- Do not rinse your hair any further.
How Often?
1-2 times a week.
Why This Works
Chamomile tea has amazing antiseptic compounds that make it a powerful healing ingredient. It soothes inflammation and helps calm seborrheic dermatitis.
16. Mallow
You Will Need
- 1 tbsp dried mallow
- 1 cup water
- Cotton pad
Prep Time
15 minutes
Treatment Time
5 minutes
Method
- Take about 1 tablespoon of dried mallow and boil it in 1 cup of water.
- Let it steep for about 15 minutes and then set it aside to cool.
- Once cool, soak a cotton pad in the solution and dab it onto the affected parts of your scalp.
How Often?
Every day, or every other day.
Why This Works
The mallow herb has healing properties that help soothe the dermatitis and reduce inflammation. It will also help soften and condition your skin, calming the overzealous sebaceous glands.
17. Cucumber
You Will Need
- 1/4 of a medium-sized cucumber
- 2 tbsp curd
Prep Time
5 minutes
Treatment Time
30 minutes
Method
- Blend the cucumber until it gets to a smooth and pulpy texture.
- Add some curd and mix well to combine.
- Apply this mixture to the affected areas of your scalp and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
- Wash your hair with a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.
How Often?
2-3 times a week.
Why This Works
Cucumber can be extremely soothing on the skin with its cooling properties. When combined with curd, it conditions your scalp and balances oil production. It will also help soothe irritation and itching.
18. Calendula
You Will Need
- 1 tbsp dried calendula
- 1 cup water
- Cotton pad
Prep Time
15 minutes
Treatment Time
5 minutes
Method
- Take about 1 tablespoon of dried calendula and boil it in 1 cup of water.
- Let it steep for about 15 minutes and then set it aside to cool.
- Once cool, soak a cotton pad in the solution and dab it onto the affected parts of your scalp.
How Often?
2-3 times a week.
Why This Works
Calendula is known for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic properties. It helps soothe infections and inflammations on your scalp, calming seborrheic dermatitis and boosting scalp health.
19. Walnut
You Will Need
- 1 tbsp dried walnut leaves
- 1 cup water
- Cotton pad
Prep Time
15 minutes
Treatment Time
5 minutes
Method
- Take about 1 tablespoon of dried walnut leaves and boil it in 1 cup of water.
- Let it steep for about 15 minutes and then set it aside to cool.
- Once cool, soak a cotton pad in the solution and dab it onto the affected parts of your scalp.
How Often?
2-3 times a week.
Why This Works
The leaves of the walnut plant have exceptional anti-fungal, antiseptic, astringent, and wound healing properties. This infusion helps soothe your scalp and heal seborrheic dermatitis.
20. Flax Seeds
You Will Need
- 1/4th cup flax seeds
- 2 cups filtered water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Prep Time
10 minutes
Treatment Time
5 minutes
Method
- Boil the flax seeds until the liquid starts to thicken.
- Once thick, add the lemon juice and let the solution cool.
- The solution should have a gel-like consistency.
- Apply this gel to your scalp and hair.
- This can also be used in place of a styling gel.
How Often?
Every day.
Why This Works
This solution will relieve itching and is also a natural alternative to styling products. It would clog your pores and soothe seborrheic dermatitis. You can also consume flax seeds to boost scalp health.
21. Essential Oils
You Will Need
- 3-5 drops of an essential oil (such as rosemary, lavender, rose or lemon balm)
- 2 tbsp carrier oil
Prep Time
2 minutes
Treatment Time
45 minutes
Method
- Combine the essential oil with the carrier oil.
- Heat the oil blend until it is slightly warm.
- Apply this to your scalp and hair and let it sit for about 45 minutes.
- Wash the oil out of your hair with warm water and a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.
How Often?
2-3 times a week.
Why This Works
Essential oils go a long way when it comes to treating seborrheic dermatitis. Topical application of essential oils like rose, lavender, lemon balm, or carrot seed mixed with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil will soothe your symptoms and heal your scalp.
22. Neem
You Will Need
- 1 tbsp ground neem leaves
- 1 tbsp sesame seed oil
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
Prep Time
2 minutes
Treatment Time
1 hour
Method
- In a bowl, combine the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
- Apply the mixture to your scalp and let it sit for about an hour.
- After an hour, wash your hair with a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.
How Often?
Every other day.
Why This Works
Neem leaves are one of the most effective remedies against seborrheic dermatitis. It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that help heal your scalp.
23. Slippery Elm
You Will Need
- A bunch of slippery elm leaves
Prep Time
5 minutes
Treatment Time
15-20 minutes
Method
- Grind the slippery elm leaves until you get a smooth paste.
- Apply this paste onto the affected areas of your scalp.
- Let it sit until it dries. This should take about 15-20 minutes.
- Wash off with warm water.
How Often?
Every day.
Why This Works
Slippery elm is another effective remedy that helps soothe and calm seborrheic dermatitis. With regular use, it will help restore your scalp health over a short period of time.
24. Plantain Leaf
You Will Need
- A fresh plantain leaf
Prep Time
5 minutes
Treatment Time
15-20 minutes
Method
- Grind enough of the plantain leaf to get about 2 tablespoons of smooth paste.
- Apply this paste onto the affected areas of your scalp.
- Let it sit until it dries. This should take about 15-20 minutes.
- Wash off with warm water.
How Often?
Every day.
Why This Works
Plantain leaves contain tannins, which help heal seborrheic dermatitis. It also helps regenerate damaged cells and boost hair regrowth.
While external care and topical application of ingredients are important when it comes to treating seborrheic dermatitis, what you put in your body matters equally. Keep reading to find out what you can consume to relieve seborrheic dermatitis.
25. Sarsaparilla
You Will Need
- 1 tbsp sarsaparilla roots
- 1 cup water
Prep Time
15 minutes
Method
- Boil the sarsaparilla root in a cup of water.
- Let it steep for a couple of minutes and then set it aside to cool.
- Drink this concoction to relieve seborrheic dermatitis.
How Often?
Every day.
Why This Works
Sarsaparilla helps remove toxins from your body, indirectly boosting skin and hair health and soothing dermatitis.
26. Mango
You Will Need
- 1 mango
Prep Time
2 minutes
Method
- Simply cut up and consume a mango to relieve seborrheic dermatitis.
- Optionally, you can include the fruit in other recipes to reap the benefits of all of its nutrients.
How Often?
Every day.
Why This Works
Mango is one such fruit. It is rich in vitamins C, A, and B. It has niacin and pyridoxine, which also help prevent seborrheic dermatitis.
Here are some other frequently asked questions about Seborrheic Dermatitis.
- Is seborrheic dermatitis a fungus?
– No, seborrheic dermatitis is not a fungus. It is a skin condition that is usually worsened by the presence of a naturally occurring skin yeast called Malassezia.
- Can stress cause seborrheic dermatitis?
– While stress is a contributing factor, it alone cannot cause seborrheic dermatitis. However, when coupled with excessive oiliness, it can lead to the skin condition.
Hair loss due to seborrheic dermatitis is usually short term. When the skin inflammation reduces, your hair begins to grow out normally. Consistency when it comes to care has to be maintained even after the symptoms subside so that they do not appear again. It is recommended to keep away from direct sunlight. It is also advisable to use dehumidifiers, which reduce skin irritation and, thereby, reduce hair fall. Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables like apples, oranges, and spinach, which are rich in beta-carotene and antioxidants, is recommended.
