Print Overview Seborrheic dermatitis on the face Enlarge image Close Seborrheic dermatitis on the face Seborrheic dermatitis on the face Seborrheic dermatitis causes a rash of oily patches with yellow or white scales. The rash may look darker or lighter in people with brown or Black skin and redder in those with white skin. Seborrheic (seb-o-REE-ik) dermatitis is a common skin condition that mainly affects your scalp. It causes scaly patches, inflamed skin and stubborn dandruff. It usually affects oily areas of the body, such as the face, sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids and chest. This condition can be irritating but it's not contagious, and it doesn't cause permanent hair loss. Seborrheic dermatitis may go away without treatment. Or you may need to use medicated shampoo or other products long term to clear up symptoms and prevent flare-ups. Seborrheic dermatitis is also called dandruff, seborrheic eczema and seborrheic psoriasis. When it occurs in infants, it's called cradle cap.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th EditionAssortment of Skin Care Products from Mayo Clinic StoreNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsSeborrheic dermatitis signs and symptoms may include: Flaking skin (dandruff) on your scalp, hair, eyebrows, beard or mustache Patches of greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales or crust on the scalp, face, sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids, chest, armpits, groin area or under the breasts Rash that may look darker or lighter in people with brown or Black skin and redder in those with white skin Ring-shaped (annular) rash, for a type called petaloid seborrheic dermatitis Itchiness (pruritus) The signs and symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis tend to flare with stress, fatigue or a change of season. When to see a doctorSee your health care provider if: You're so uncomfortable that you're losing sleep or are distracted from your daily routines. Your condition makes you feel embarrassed or anxious. You think your skin is infected. You've tried self-care steps, but your symptoms persist. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesThe exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis isn't clear. It may be due to the yeast Malassezia, excess oil in the skin or a problem in the immune system. Risk factorsRisk factors for seborrheic dermatitis include: Stress Fatigue A change of season Nervous system conditions, such as Parkinson's disease Having a mental health condition, such as depression Immune system disorders, such as HIV infection Recovery from stressful medical conditions, such as a heart attack By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Sept. 27, 2022 Print Show references AskMayoExpert. Seborrheic dermatitis. Mayo Clinic; 2022. Clark GW, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. American Family Physician. 2015;91:185. Seborrheic dermatitis. American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/seborrheic-dermatitis-overview. Accessed March 15, 2022. Dinulos JGH. Psoriasis and other papulosquamous diseases. In: Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 16, 2022. Kelly AP, et al., eds. Seborrheic dermatitis. In: Taylor and Kelly's Dermatology for Skin of Color. 2nd ed. McGraw Hill; 2016. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed March 16, 2022. Bolognia JL, et al., eds. Other eczematous eruptions. In: Dermatology. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 16, 2022. Pizzorono JE, et al., eds. Seborrheic dermatitis. In: Textbook of Natural Medicine. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 16, 2022. Elgash M, et al. Seborrheic dermatitis in skin of color: Clinical considerations. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2019; doi:10.12788/jfp.0315. Heath CR, et al. Seborrheic dermatitis. Journal of Family Practice. 2021; doi: 10.12788/jfp.0315. Okokon EO, et al. Topical antifungals for seborrhoeic dermatitis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015; doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008138.pub3. Sokumbi O (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. April 12, 2022. Related Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp Seborrheic dermatitis on the face Associated Procedures Skin biopsy Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Assortment of Skin Care Products from Mayo Clinic Store Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Seborrheic dermatitisSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatment Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry