Did you know Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that affects people of all ages? Commonly known as cradle cap, dandruff, looks similar to an allergic reaction. You can try home remedies for seborrheic dermatitis that help ease the symptoms of this disease. The scalp is the area that is mainly affected by this skin condition. Still, sometimes other body parts are also affected (1).
Seborrheic dermatitis causes patches on your skin that have redness, and the skin becomes flaky too. It is a skin condition that affects people of all ages. It mainly occurs in the areas of the skin where sebaceous glands that produce oil are present. Although there is no permanent cure for this skin condition, with the help of home remedies for seborrheic dermatitis, you can ease the discomfort to a large extent.
What Is Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory condition where scaly patches, redness, and stubborn dandruff are formed on your skin (2). Although it affects the scalp prominently, sometimes, the chest, ears, eyelids, eyebrows, sides of the nose, and face can also be affected if they are oily. Although more research is needed to find out the exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis, it might be related to some of the reasons listed below:
- If the oil secreted on your skin has an excess amount of yeast called Malassezia.
- If your immune system has an irregular response.
- When the weather conditions are cold and dry.
- Certain medications.
- Stress.
- Your genes.
Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis:
Here is a list of symptoms that occur if you are suffering from seborrheic dermatitis. Some of the signs include:
- Hair, scalp, eyebrows, moustache, or beard are with skin flakes similar to dandruff.
- Itching in the affected areas of the skin.
- Redness of the skin.
- Your ears, eyelids, nose, eyebrows, sides of the nose, face, scalp, chest, armpits, under the breasts, or groin area have patches of greasy skin usually covered with yellow or white scales.
- These symptoms usually flare up in cold, dry seasons, and if you are under severe stress.
12 Best Home Remedies for Seborrheic Dermatitis on Ears, Scalp and Face:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar:
Balancing the PH level of your skin is very necessary to protect your skin. This can be achieved by topical application of apple cider vinegar, it is a seborrheic dermatitis scalp natural treatment (3)(4). It helps reduce the inflammation caused by the flareup and also rids your scalp of the scales.
Ingredients:
- Two spoonfuls of apple cider vinegar.
- Two cups of water.
Preparation:
- Take a bowl and mix all the ingredients into it.
- Firstly wash your hair with shampoo and apply this solution to the scalp and leave it there for a few minutes.
- Rinse off thoroughly.
Precaution: Before applying apple cider vinegar, be sure to wash your hair with shampoo. Even after application, make sure you rinse your hair thoroughly.
2. Lemon:
Lemon juice offers many health benefits since it has high amounts of soluble fibre, plant compounds, and vitamin C. It helps eliminate excess sebum from your scalp, along with eliminating the dandruff particles with the help of citric acid (5). Using lemon juice regularly helps reduce dandruff patches formed on your scalp. It also helps remove dead skin cells and acts as an exfoliating agent due to AHAs’ presence.
Ingredients:
- Two spoonfuls of lemon juice.
- Cotton ball for application.
Preparation:
- Take two spoonfuls of fresh lemon juice in a bowl.
- Apply this juice to your scalp with the help of a cotton ball.
- Let it stay for ten to 15 minutes and rinse it off with warm water.
Read Also: Seborrheic Dermatitis Hair Loss
3. Garlic:
Garlic is one of the ingredients readily available in every kitchen that acts as one of the best home remedies for seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp (6). It helps reduce the inflammation and severe flaking on your scalp because it has antibiotic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
Ingredients:
- Garlic-one clove.
- Three spoonfuls of water.
- Cotton ball.
Preparation:
- Add two spoonfuls of water to the crushed garlic.
- Filter the water after mixing the contents well.
- Warm the solution in low heat.
- Keep the mixture in your hair overnight.
- Wash your hair first thing in the morning with warm water.
4. Aloe Vera:
Aloe vera extracts’ anti-inflammatory properties help heal seborrheic dermatitis and reduce the intensity of the symptoms it causes (7). During a flareup of this skin condition, the topical application of aloe vera helps manage the redness and itching.
Ingredients:
- Fresh aloe vera gel.
Preparation:
- Extract fresh gel out of the aloe vera.
- Apply the gel on the affected areas of your scalp and leave it.
Precaution: Aloe vera may cause an allergic reaction in some people. Take a patch test before you apply it to your scalp or face.
5. Tea Tree Oil:
Tea tree oil has been gaining prominence for its usage in cosmetic products. It is one of the best natural remedies for seborrheic dermatitis on the face along with the scalp. It helps deal with this skin condition with its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties (8). Suppose you want to treat the symptoms like scaly patches. In that case, the combination of tea tree oil with carrier oil is the perfect solution.
Ingredients:
- Two spoonfuls of coconut or olive oil.
- Eight drops of tea tree oil.
Preparation:
- Take a small bowl and mix the ingredients in it.
- Apply the mixture onto the affected areas and leave it there.
Precaution: Do not apply tea tree oil directly onto your skin since it may cause an allergic reaction.
6. Aspirin:
Aspirin is an over-the-counter medication that has been proven to reduce seborrheic dermatitis flare-ups and treat them naturally. Salicylic acid is abundantly available in this medication which acts as an exfoliator by eliminating the excess oil and reducing inflammation (9).
Ingredients:
- Two aspirin tablets (uncoated).
- Regular shampoo.
Preparation:
- Crush the aspirin tablets into a fine powder.
- Add this powder to regular shampoo.
- Apply the shampoo to your hair and let it stay in your hair.
- Rinse off the shampoo after a few minutes.
7. Baking Soda:
Baking soda is a readily available ingredient that is an effective home remedy in treating seborrheic dermatitis. It reduces the scaling caused in this condition with its antifungal properties. It also eliminates excess oil and dead skin cells from your scalp by acting as a perfect exfoliant (10).
Ingredients:
- Two spoonfuls of baking soda.
- Some water.
Preparation:
- Rinse your hair properly.
- Prepare a smooth paste by adding some water to the baking soda.
- Apply the paste all over your scalp or the affected area evenly.
- Massage your scalp gently.
- Wash your hair off with warm water.
- Precaution: Although baking soda effectively treats many skin problems, using it in moderation is recommended as overdoing may dry your scalp.
Read Also: Baking Soda Face Packs For All Skin Problems
8. Natural Oils:
Using natural oils can be an effective way to treat seborrheic dermatitis. Some of the best oils used for this purpose are olive oil and coconut oil (11)(12). Coconut oil acts as a moisturizing agent. The antifungal and antimicrobial properties help treat infections caused on your scalp or skin. It also helps nourish your scalp spreading the sebum evenly.
Ingredients:
- Two spoonfuls of natural oil(olive, coconut, jojoba, or almond oil).
- Cotton swab.
How to Use:
- Use a cotton swab and apply the oil of your choice to the affected areas.
- Using these oils regularly will be useful.
9. Neem:
Neem has been a treatment option for many skin conditions for centuries. It helps provide relief to all the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis. Neem leaves have antifungal properties(13) that act as a seborrheic dermatitis face natural treatment. The combination of curd and neem leaves acts as a perfect option to reduce this skin condition’s symptoms.
Ingredients:
- Fresh neem leaves.
- A cup of curd.
Preparation:
- Wash the neem leaves and grind them to a fine paste in a blender.
- Add the cup of curd to it.
- Mix the contents well, forming a smooth paste.
- Apply the mixture onto the scalp’s affected areas and let it stay for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water.
10. Raspberry:
Raspberry extracts have anti-inflammatory properties and a wide range of benefits that make them a perfect solution to treat seborrheic dermatitis. It helps treat skin conditions such as dry or sun-damaged skin because of the high percentage of fatty acids that help protect your skin (14). It is beneficial for dry and sensitive skin as raspberry seed oil has vitamins A and E in abundance.
11. Supplements of Fish Oil:
The high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil (15) make it an effective way to treat the flare-ups caused by seborrheic dermatitis. The inflammatory skin conditions and symptoms caused by this skin condition can be treated with fish oil’s anti-inflammatory properties. There are supplements available in the market too.
Precaution: Although it is relatively safe to use fish oil, it is better to take directions for a physician’s dosage.
12. Essential Oils:
Essential oils help cure seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp naturally. Some of the oils used to reduce this condition’s flareups are primrose oil, black currant seed oil, and borage oil. It also helps reduce redness and itching, making you get relief (16). This can also be applied to other affected parts, too, such as eyebrows, and faces. The antibacterial and analgesic properties of coconut make it a perfect option for a carrier oil.
Ingredients:
- Two to three drops of the essential oil of your choice.
- A spoonful of coconut oil.
Preparation:
- Mix the essential oil and coconut oil in a bowl.
- Apply the mixture to the affected areas of your skin with a cotton swab.
Precautions: It is not safe to consume essential oils; it is safe and effective when used topically. Since pure essential oil can be harmful, it is recommended to dilute it with carrier oil.
1. What are the Types of Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Seborrheic psoriasis, seborrheic eczema, and dandruff are some of the common types of seborrheic dermatitis. If this condition occurs in infants, it causes scaly, crusty patches on the baby’s scalp, called a cradle cap.
2. How Long Does it Take to Treat Seborrheic Dermatitis
The cure for this skin condition depends upon its severity. Although there is no permanent cure for this condition in adults, you can effectively reduce seborrheic dermatitis intensity by utilizing some home remedies. Taking some precautions like cleansing the affected area with a gentle soap or shampoo may significantly reduce the symptoms. In infants, this condition tends to completely disappear within six months to one year with proper treatment.
3. What are the Risk Factors of Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Although there is no sure shot reason for what causes this skin condition, there are some risk factors that increase the chance of developing seborrheic dermatitis:
- Due to the intake of some medications.
- If you are recovering from an organ transplant.
- Parkinsons disease.
- HIV/AIDS.
- Alcoholic pancreatitis.
- Some types of cancers.
- Psoriasis.
- Eating disorders.
With the flood of information provided in this article, one exact thing is that with home remedies for seborrheic dermatitis along with a proper skincare routine, you can get a handle on this condition. However, this skin problem resolves on its own usually, with the help of naturally available remedies speed-up the healing process. If you don’t find any improvement even after following these home remedies, consult your doctor immediately.
