Natural Treatment for Seborrheic Dermatitis, Cradle Cap, Dandruff, and Itchy Scalp
December 5, 2010 by Dr. Nicole Sundene
Filed under Cradle Cap, Dandruff, Kitchen Sink, Reader Questions, Seborrheic Dermatitis
An itchy dry, flaky scalp is typically “seborrheic dermatitis”commonly referred to as dandruff in adults and “cradle cap” in babies. Most standard anti-fungal shampoos, topical steroids, and topical treatments such as selenium sulfide and pyrithione zinc typically only provide temporary relief because they are not addressing the root cause of the problem.
The fact that the body is out of balance must be addressed or the shampoo will simply not be enough. Although I do agree these shampoos are helpful for reducing symptoms while the actual cause is treated, they frankly are not the “be all end all”.
First of all seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatorycondition of the scalp that can manifest in the form of mild dandruff to dense, greasy scaling of the scalp. Mild cases of dandruff will typically resolve with the addition of fish oil, biotin and b-complex, zinc, and selenium, however more severe cases of seborrheic dermatitis will require further investigation.
The reason for this is that in babies the condition typically remits after 6-8 months, but in adults the problem is almost always chronic and will just tend to relapse and remit while it worsens over time. So let’s get this figured out now, shall we?
This condition is commonly correlated with a yeast, Pityrosporum ovale, but that yeast is predominantly everywhere right? It is not some random infectious disease like Ebola, it is simply a common thing in our environment, which gets me thinking…why doesn’t EVERYONE that is exposed to P. ovale have seborrheic dermatitis? The reason for that is that not everyone is pre-disposed to being susceptible to such a problem. There is a high familial correlation with this disease. Typically our diet, genetics, environment, lifestyle, and stress levels all contribute to causing an illness, and an illness just chooses to show up on the body somewhere to show us that we are out of balance. Whether we choose to listen to the message or ignore the message while suppressing it with shampoos and topicals or what not is up to us.
So what is out of balance? Most likely digestion and stress.
When I have worked with patients with very refractory cases of seborrheic dermatitis in the past they have all had food allergy components, especially to wheat, dairy, and citrus that needed to be addressed. For whatever reason imbalances in our gut always show up on the skin first. My guess surrounding this is that people are naturally pretty vain and will easily ignore a stomachache, but not a skin problem. The body is very wise when sending messages. Also since 70% of our immune systems surround our gut in the form of “Gut Associated Lymphatic Tissue” or GALT, any inflammatory condition will improve by simply going on a trialhypoallergenic diet for several weeks and then testing for food intolerances once the condition has cleared.
Be sure to start a whole foods diet, avoid McInflammation whenever possible, and get all theKitchen Table Villains out as they are sure to needlessly add to the inflammatory fire. Of added interest, this problem is predominantly male which suggests a male hormone component or imbalance. Most hormones are easily brought back in to balance by improving sleep and cleaning up diet and stress.
I would recommend for anyone with an itchy skin problem to read my article on eczema, as in my mind they are all basically all the same thing and tend to resolve by using similar traditional nature cure means (all my dermatologist friends officially hate me now for saying that).
Of course seborrheic dermatitis in adults has been shown with good research to improve specifically from taking zinc daily (start with 15-20mg, but you can bump it up to 50mg daily, yet I would not do this long term as it will throw your other minerals out of balance), as well as selenium (150-200mcg), biotin (10mg), Folic acid (10mg), and B12 (1000mcg), but we really need to address the cause of the inflammation, or most people will have to be on these supplements long term.
For mothers of infants with cradle cap that are breastfeeding you can ensure that you are not deficient in these vitamins and minerals by taking a high quality prenatal vitamin at the full dose (don’t take mega doses of ANYTHING when you are breastfeeding unless prescribed by your doctor!!!). But ultimately I would investigate food allergies, as a food you are eating is most likely upsetting the baby. Do add cultured foods like yogurt in to your diet to improve your digestion.
Topically a 5% Tea Tree oil shampoo has been shown to be effective, but I would make my own conditioner instead and let it sit on the scalp. My rationale for this is that shampoos are really drying and the scalp is already dry and irritated. We want the medicine to sit on the scalp long enough to kill yeast. I would prepare a topical solution using aloe vera gel or borage oil and tea tree oil. Add about 20 drops of tea tree oil to a ten ounce bottle of aloe vera gel. Shake that up and apply it to your scalp daily for 15 minutes. Depending on your sensitivity, you can add more tea tree oil than that, however it should NOT ever feel like it is burning. Never apply any essential oils directly to your skin without diluting them in aloe or a carrier oil first as they are caustic and will burn you. If you ever experience burning, rinse it off immediately. Topically aloe vera gel and borage oil have also been shown to be soothing for this condition. For babies you can rub their head with olive oil and then comb all the flakes out.
Remember that if you discover you have food allergies it is not the end of the world, you simply eliminate the food for a period of time while the immune system forgets about it (typically three months for those blood cells to die), take probiotics daily to reseed healthy gut flora, adopt better stress management coping techniques, and then rotate the foods that were causing the inflammation back in moderately.
As a final note I would like to add that you should NOT ever take any new supplements without checking with your doctor first, and be sure that you have the correct diagnosis before attempting any home remedies or self treatments. Heaven forbid my advice ever does more harm than good.
Hope that helps! Please leave your questions in the comments of this article if you have any.
~Dr. Nicole Sundene
Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD is a licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor at Fountain Hills Naturopathic Medicine 16719 E Palisades Blvd, Suite 205, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268.She believes we should utilize natural medicines to treat the root cause of disease rather than just treating symptoms, as symptoms are a message of imbalance sent from the body and will persist until they are properly addressed.
For appointments please call (480) 837-0900 or visit http://docnicole.com for more information about Naturopathic Medicine services.
©KitchenTableMedicine.com, LLC ™
And may I add a favorite of mine:
Chlorine Shower filter.
Chlorine is a big ol’ cause of itchy skin and dry scalps. Install one in your shower and in about 3 days, you’ll be thinking – why didn’t I do this years ago.
Dr Ben
Absolutely agree Dr. Ben! Thanks for that…where is the link to the product the readers need at Healthegoods.com? I will add it in to the article. Thanks for the great reminder!
People with asthma and ANY skin condition need a chlorine shower filter.
Thank you. I’ve delt with this ridiculously mischievious and confusing condition for 36 years. It affected everything in my life including my self-esteem. It could never be figured out! Doctors in juneau, ak didn’t know crap (they still don’t!) and I was left with redness and feeling cruddy all the time (The discomfort is not only on the face, but as well as I just didn’t feel ok or “balanced” inside, either.)
Thank you. Your thoughts are the most intelligent I’ve heard. Those shampoos are worthless! WHY DONT DOCTORS address the roots of problems. Quacks or $$ or both. Hmmmm…
Anyways -
I notice a few things with this disease:
1. Relieving myself makes it almost immediately subside. Weird huh.
2. Hydrocortisone works for about two weeks, then it’s not helpful whatsoever.
3. Drink masssssssive water.
4. Watch your food intake. Your alkaline vs acidic. Make sure you have foods that help your digestive do it’s thing. LIKE VEGETABLES.
hahah -have we forgotten vegetables?
lol
Thanks again.
How long do I need to follow your treatment plan before I should see results?
What do you think of Jason’s tea tree oil shampoo? Is it safe for my eyebrows (I have severe eyebrow seb derm.)? I used it and it started burning– does that mean I am allergic to tea tree oil? I don’t know if it’s 5% or not because it doesn’t say on the label. HOw can I test to see if I am allergic before I actually use something?
My diet is generally healthy although I will add supplements. I think the biggest cause is stress, and the second biggest cause is that it is winter. I haven’t yet found a way to control it so it is pretty bad right now.
Sara’s last blog post..Japanese Prawn and Noodle Salad Recipe
FANTASTIC!
I know this is going to sound completely contradictive… but can Chlorine actually sometimes help S D inflammation??? I have been diagnosed with Seborrheic Dermatitis. Battling it for a year and wasn’t sure what is was until recent diagnosis.
Twice, I noticed the symptoms improve greatly. First, about a year ago when on vacation… face and other areas of skin completely cleared. We were swimming every day. But then again recently when our local pool opened. Swam with the family for two days in a row and face and skin hadn’t felt so good in forever. Inflammation cleared up immediately.
This caused me to wonder if it was the Chlorine that actually helped the S D symptoms. Could it have been killing off the problematic yeast/fungus on the skin?
Any explanation?
MW
I would like natural cures for severe dermatitis on the skin.
I have MS and ever since being diagnosed I’ve noticed strange things regarding my skin. I’ve never had allergies, although I have always had sensitive skin, but now I am on Xyzal and even needed a topical for hives/rash on my neck. Now I am suffering from blepharits but neither my eye doctor, neurologist or dermatologist think there is any connection. None of the rx shampoo has helped and the topical fo my scalp only helps relieve the itching. Any ideas?
Can you leave the aloe and TTO on you scalp or do you need to wash it off? ie, if I put it on when I get out of the shower in the morning can I just leave it?
This is directed toward MW. I also notice when I go swimming my rash clears up. But it only seems to clear up when I swim at outdoor pools rather than indoor pools. This makes me think its more about sunlight and less about chlorine, but who knows. Also whenever I go on vacation it also seems to clear up, probably because my stress disapears during that time : )…Anyway great article, I will try taking the vitamins listed and eating a bit healthier…and more water intake sounds like a good idea.
Interesting about the sunlight….I believe there is research correlating the two and will check in to that and write and article if so. It would make sense since the overgrowth of the yeast is typically the prob and yeast and fungi both love warm damp areas….so the bright light would be a shocker.
w3ll i hope it will gonna work!
i had read ya article ryt now…
thanks Dr.Nicole
thank you for your article . i have been suffering from SD for more than 20 years and now i have found out that the route of this desease is in food allergy.
also i think that milk of magnesia is usefull in removing the scales.
I appreciate your article addressing this very aggravating issue for people like me suffering from SD. I am currently trying to find these supplements online so I have question for you: In regards to the dosage amounts of the supplements you recommend (15-20mg of zinc, selenium (150-200mcg), biotin (10mg), Folic acid (10mg), and B12 (1000mcg) I’m finding it difficult to find Folic Acid in dosages more than 800mcg per tablet. This would mean taking about 12 tablets/day to get the 10 mg dose. Is this correct? I truly appreciate your response to this question and any recommendations on where I could find higher doses online.
Nicole,
Could you please tell me how you make your own conditioner with tee tree oil? I think I’m allergic to most shampoos & conditioners.
Thank you for the article.
Hi,
I’ve been looking for something simple , a cream or lotion, easy to get, or a recipe I can make myself to put on my face.
I think I have seborrheic dermatitis, its been happening several times to me and my scalp always have some minor problem
Can somebody give my some advices for my face?
it is really uncomfortable
thank you
melanie