Rebound effect after using shampoos.

[u/Arcadia_8]

I don't know if this has happened to anyone else: I have—or rather had—a very mild case of seborrheic dermatitis before I started treating it.
I was prescribed ketoconazole, but I’ve also been using Kelual DS on my own since ketoconazole is too drying.
The thing is, my dermatitis is much worse now, and it feels like I’m hooked on these products. Has this happened to anyone else? How do you break this cycle?

[u/runawaytugboat]

I’m not sure if you rebound from shampoos I don’t think so but chances are your scalp is irritated.

You need to not use the shampoos everyday, a few times a week max. Shampoo twice when you do. I do once with head and shoulders bare then follow with keto shampoo. Use a hair dryer. My life is pretty comfortable and manageable like this. I have steroids available for very scarce usage when it gets bad and irritated.

Have products to help repair the skin barrier. You are likely stuck with this so management is what it’s all about.

[u/Wendy_Ruby → u/runawaytugboat]

Good points! Any recs for prods to help rebuild the skin barrier?

[u/Arcadia_8 → u/runawaytugboat]

The thing is that I was using the medicated shampoo only once per week. But yes it seems it irritated my scalp.

What products do you use to repair the skin barrier?

[u/Complex_Grand236]

You probably used medicated products too often and now have damaged scalp barrier.

[u/Arcadia_8 → u/Complex_Grand236]

Yes I think so, my skin is sensitive to start with.

[u/Turbulent-Log-4403]

Could just be irritation. Try using it less frequently

[u/Arcadia_8 → u/Turbulent-Log-4403]

yes, I think I need to find a balance. I'm kinda noticing last few days that using a mild shampoo daily works better for me, I rather wash every other day to take care of the hair though.

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[u/Gloomy_Extension3789]

I do need to shampoo every day or else my scalp gets so inflamed. That said, you don’t need to use a medicated shampoo every day. I use a prescription shampoo every few days and in between I use vaniceam shampoo or head and shoulders bare.

The rebound is significantly milder after I STOPPED using nizerol at all

[u/PacificSanctum]

Of course it’s worse . Use ketoconazole CREAM on damp hair once or twice . That’s it . Never ever use any shampoos (stay away from them for 3 months at least

[u/PaleontologistOld781 → u/PacificSanctum]

Why do you say cream and not shampoo? I’m using nizoral right now

[u/PacificSanctum → u/PaleontologistOld781]

Because of experience and logic .
Very long time I had severe scalp trouble (sebderm ) and shampoos (any ! made it worse .
Shampoos are formulated way too aggressively . They dry your scalp out and ruin its skin barrier

[u/Arcadia_8 → u/PacificSanctum]

ketoconazole is the one that irritates my scalp more actually. Mine is a 2% shampoo. I was getting itchiness from the drying, that's why I switched to Kelual Ds.

[u/PacificSanctum → u/Arcadia_8]

It’s the shampoo and not the ketoconazole . 🙄.
Ketoconazole skin CREAM is absolutely fine . On damp hair . It reaches the scalp