Seborrheic Dermatitis Referral Guidelines

Ascension Sites > Dell Children's > For Healthcare Professionals > Referral Recommendations > Dermatology Management and Referral Guidelines > Seborrheic Dermatitis Referral Guidelines

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