1. Dandruff (Seborrhea) Slideshow Pictures
2. What Your Scalp and Hair Say About Your Health
3. Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Alan Rockoff, MD

Alan Rockoff, MD

Dr. Rockoff received his undergraduate degree from Yeshiva College with the distinction of Summa Cum Laude. He received his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His internship and two years of Pediatric residency were at the Bronx Municipal Hospital Center, followed by training in Dermatology at the combined residency program at Tufts and Boston Universities. Dr. Rockoff is certified by both the American Board of Dermatology and the American Board of Pediatrics.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• What is dandruff (seborrhea)?
• What treatments are available for dandruff?
• What doesn't help dandruff?
• What over-the-counter products can help dandruff?
• If over-the-counter products don't work, what can the doctor prescribe for dandruff?
• Dandruff (Seborrhea) At A Glance
• Dandruff (Seborrhea) Slideshow Pictures
• What Your Scalp and Hair Say About Your Health Slideshow Pictures
• Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair Slideshow Pictures
• Patient Comments: Seborrhea - Remedies
• Find a local Dermatologist in your town
• Seborrhea Index

Your physician or dermatologist can recommend prescription-strength shampoos or antifungal and cortisone creams that are stronger than those available over the counter, yet are not too strong to use on the face. There also are cortisone-based liquids, gels, and foams that you can apply to the scalp that won't leave your hair limp and matted. Nonsteroid cream like tacrolimus (Protopic) or pimecrolimus (Elidel) can also help.

As with all seborrhea (dandruff) treatments, prescription-strength shampoos and cortisone creams calm down your skin or scalp sensitivity, but they can't stop the seborrhea (dandruff) from coming back. Most people, however, only have to treat their condition from time to time when it becomes itchy or noticeable.

A word on eyelashes

Dandruff (seborrhea) of the eyelashes can be both annoying and hard to treat. Eye doctors like to recommend scrubbing the lashes with baby shampoo on a cotton swab. This method may be worth a try, but it often fails. Cortisone-based lotions should be used close to the eye only under medical supervision since continuous exposure of the eye to cortisone can lead to serious eye problems.

• Dandruff is a form of skin eczema called seborrhea.
• Treatment of seborrhea (dandruff) is directed at fighting the skin inflammation.
• Yeast is a fungus that sometimes builds up on scaly areas of seborrhea.
• The physician may recommend prescription-strength shampoos or antifungal and cortisone creams for seborrhea.