When to Initiate Referral
- Mild to moderate seborrheic dermatitis not responding to therapy after 2 months
- Severe or widespread eruption
Treatment Basics
- A common, benign skin condition in infants and young children that can be chronic
- Often occurs in adolescents, when sebaceous activity tends to increase
- The expected course is gradual resolution over a period of months to years
- It is not necessary to treat all cases of seborrhea
- Treatment should be initiated for moderate to severe cases and/or symptoms of pruritus/pain
- A topical antifungal and topical steroid can be mixed together and used for flares on the face or body
Scalpseborrhea
- Ketoconazole 2% shampoo, otc selenium sulfide shampoo, or otc Backer’s P&S shampoo/solution 2 to 3 times a week (shampoo should be allowed to sit for ~5 minutes before rinsing)
AND/OR
- DermaSmoothe FS Oil (fluocinolone in hypoallergenic peanut oil) or fluocinolone 01% solution once or twice daily as needed for flares
Face and Body Seborrhea
- Desonide 05% cream or hydrocortisone 2.5% cream (mild steroids) once to twice daily as needed for flares
AND/OR
- Ketoconazole 2% cream or otc clotrimazole cream once to twice daily as needed for flares