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Seborrheic dermatitis [seb-uh-RAY-ik der-muh-TAHY-tis] is a skin condition that causes red, scaly patches. Cradle cap in babies and dandruff in adults are both types of this condition.
Seborrheic dermatitis can cause:
In babies, the main symptom of seborrheic dermatitis is thick, scaly skin on the scalp.
In adults and adolescents, symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis include:
Symptoms can be worse in times of stress or when the weather is cold and dry.
See a healthcare provider if you think you might have seborrheic dermatitis or another skin condition. Each skin condition is treated differently. It’s important to have a healthcare provider identify the cause of your symptoms and recommend the right treatment.
If initial treatments do not relieve your symptoms, your healthcare provider may refer you to a doctor who specializes in diseases of the skin (a dermatologist).
The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is not known. Many factors probably work together to cause it. Research does show that:
It is most common in:
Your healthcare provider can usually tell if you have seborrheic dermatitis by looking closely at your skin and asking questions. There is no test for it.
If rare cases, your healthcare provider may want to take a small sample of skin to be examined under a microscope. This is called a skin biopsy.
Cradle cap usually goes away on its own within a few months. Before that time, treatment includes:
In adults and adolescents, treatment cannot cure seborrheic dermatitis, but it can remove scales, reduce itching, and prevent infection. Treatments can include:
If initial treatments do not relieve your symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend medicated creams or refer you to a doctor who specializes in diseases of the skin (a dermatologist).
Seborrheic dermatitis cannot be prevented. It can only be treated.