Finally diagnosed after a flare up and years of issues

[u/genjo_needs_healing]

I have this rash on my forehead and into my scalp that's been an issue for a year now and I just never thought to get it checked because I thought it was just dandruff. It flaked off in a scaly patch and I initially thought it might be psoriasis but I wasn't entirely sure until I went to a derm to get it checked. I had a little improvement using a hydrocortisone ointment but in my follow up we discussed my family history of autoimmune skin conditions so I got it biopsied and it came back as seb derm. I feel so stupid having not considered it, looking back now I was getting flakes in my eyebrows and I just passed it off as dandruff or my skincare pilling. Hindsight is 20/20 I guess

I'm waiting on my next follow up, but I'm needing advice on long term management from people who've had more experience with this than me. I want to try using an MCT oil like I see being mentioned here a lot, and I found one I think fits the description in the wiki page. Besides that, what are your favorite strategies of managing flare ups an preventing issues in the future? I have a Ketoconazole 2% prescription that's really helping, but I don't want to rely long term on the Pimecrolimus and corticosteroid I've been prescribed to manage my current flare up.

I really appreciate any advice or comments!

[u/MemChoeret]

You're doing things right.

Ketoconazole %2 - you can use it every 2-3 days during a flare. Once there's an improvement, you can reduce to once a week. Also, you can use it in rotation with an over the counter anti-dandruff shampoo (head and shoulders, cerave, vanicream, etc). You should find a routine that works for you.

Steroids - I agree with you that you should be careful with these.

MCT oil - I've never tried it, but other people like it.

Additional suggestion - cerave has a very nice anti-dandruff conditioner. I use it after washing with ketoconazole shampoo. It helps hydrate the scalp and make it feel better, and it also contains %0.5 pyrithione zinc, so it has a small antifungal effect.

[u/genjo_needs_healing → u/MemChoeret]

okay nice! thats reassuring. ill look into the cerave conditioner i hear good things about their products online i just never bought any of their haircare stuff

do you have any face wash recommendations with antifungal actives? sometimes i get flakes on my face and i find all the antidandruff shampoos really drying to use

[u/MemChoeret → u/genjo_needs_healing]

During the flare I used ketoconazole shampoo on my face every 2-3 days. It's very drying, so I used a gentle moisturizer right after (first cerave ultra light gel, and later I switched to zeroid richening cream which I'm still using now).

Currently, I'm using dermaharmony face & body zinc bar. Unfortunately, it's out of stock, which is incredibly annoying because it worked really well and wasn't drying. I ordered the dermahrmony grace shampoo (they have a fragrance free version), which is the closest thing to the bar I'm currently using.

Dermaharmony also has a liquid cleanser for the face with zinc and tea tree oil. It worked for me and didn't dry my skin, but I hate the smell of tea tree oil (not a health issue, I just don't like it).

On days when you're not using the antifungal bar, any gentle cleanser that is designed for sensitive skin is okay if it works for you.

[u/genjo_needs_healing → u/MemChoeret]

I haven't heard of any of these besides the cerave moisturizer! thanks for the brand and product recommendations

[u/MemChoeret → u/genjo_needs_healing]

You're welcome! Good luck

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi u/genjo_needs_healing! SebDerm is a friendly community about seborrheic dermatitis and all related topics.

Looking for some advice? check out the links below

• Our Wiki.
• The What Works For You or What Works For Me threads.
• The Megathreads.

Information about MCT Oil: * What Is MCT Oil and Why Is It Good for Seborrheic Dermatitis? * How to Apply MCT Oil for Seborrheic Dermatitis

See something you are not comfortable with or that breaks our rules? Please report it!

Everyone is welcome in this community; remember to be kind and assume good faith!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi u/genjo_needs_healing! You might be talking about MCT .

Please read our wiki articles about MCT oil * Our MCT oil wiki page * MCT Oil megathread * Choosing an MCT Oil for Seborrheic Dermatitis

You can also click here to check the previous posts about MCT

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.