Medical Dermatology
Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
Flaking of the scalp and redness around the nose and eyebrows are extremely common — and frequently mistaken for eczema, rosacea or simply dry skin. Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a harmless but persistent condition that responds well to the right routine.
At a glance
- What it is
- A common, chronic inflammatory condition of oil-rich skin — the scalp, face, ears and chest.
- Who it affects
- Very common across all ages, from 'cradle cap' in babies to adults. Neither contagious nor a sign of poor hygiene.
- Common sites
- Scalp (dandruff), sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears, and the central chest.
- Why it flares here
- Heat, humidity, sweating and stress all provoke it — all common in Singapore.
- Treatment
- Antifungal and anti-inflammatory treatments to settle flares, with occasional maintenance to keep it controlled.
Understanding the condition
What is seborrhoeic dermatitis?
Seborrhoeic dermatitis affects the areas of skin richest in oil glands. It is thought to arise from an interaction between three things: the skin's own oil, a yeast called Malassezia that lives harmlessly on everyone's skin, and an individual inflammatory response to that yeast. It is this personal reaction that determines who develops symptoms.
Two points are worth stating plainly: it is not caused by poor hygiene, and it is not contagious. It is simply a common tendency of the skin that comes and goes.
Why it is common in Singapore
Heat, humidity and sweating all encourage the Malassezia yeast and provoke flares, and stress is a
further recognised trigger. This is why a scalp or facial rash that behaves this way is seen so often
in our climate.
Recognising it
Where seborrhoeic dermatitis appears
It favours oil-rich areas, and the same person often has it in more than one place.
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Scalp
- Flaking, from fine dandruff to thicker scale
- Itching is common
- May extend to the hairline and behind the ears
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Face
- Redness and greasy scaling beside the nose
- The eyebrows and between them
- Sometimes the eyelids (blepharitis)
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Ears & chest
- Scaling in and behind the ears
- Redness on the central chest
- Occasionally other skin folds
Treatment
How seborrhoeic dermatitis is treated
Treatment aims to reduce the yeast, calm the inflammation and manage the flaking. Because the condition is chronic and relapsing, the realistic goal is good control rather than permanent cure.
For the scalp
- Medicated antifungal shampoos, used regularly and left on for a few minutes
- Preparations to soften and lift thicker scale where needed
- Short courses of anti-inflammatory scalp treatment for stubborn flares
For the face and body
- Antifungal creams to reduce the Malassezia yeast
- Gentle anti-inflammatory treatment for redness during flares
- Calcineurin inhibitors as a steroid-sparing option for delicate areas such as the face
Maintenance prevents flares
Once the skin has settled, using a medicated shampoo or antifungal cream occasionally — before a
flare takes hold — keeps most people comfortable. This "maintenance" approach is more effective
than only treating flares once they are established.
Everyday care
Living with seborrhoeic dermatitis
Simple habits reduce how often and how severely it flares.
Helpful
- Use a medicated shampoo regularly, leaving it on briefly before rinsing
- Wash oily areas of the face with a gentle cleanser
- Keep cool and manage sweating where you can
- Continue occasional treatment even when clear, to prevent flares
- Use a light, non-greasy moisturiser if the skin feels dry
Unhelpful
- Scrubbing or picking at scale, which irritates the skin
- Heavy, oily creams and hair products on affected areas
- Stopping treatment the moment it clears, then waiting for the next flare
- Assuming it is simply dandruff when the face and chest are involved
- Prolonged use of strong steroid creams on the face without advice
Seeking help
When to see a dermatologist
Consider a specialist assessment if:
- The rash is not settling with anti-dandruff shampoos and general measures
- It is widespread, very red, or uncomfortable
- You are unsure whether it is seborrhoeic dermatitis or another condition such as rosacea or psoriasis
- It affects the eyelids or is causing significant irritation
- Flares are frequent and disrupting daily life
- It has come on suddenly or is unusually severe
Dr Chen Qiping
Consultant Dermatologist · MBBS, MRCP (UK), M.Sc, FAMS (Dermatology)
Dr Chen practises general adult and paediatric dermatology, including seborrhoeic dermatitis, alongside surgical, laser and cosmetic dermatology. Consultations are available in English and Mandarin.
Common questions
Seborrhoeic dermatitis — frequently asked questions
Is seborrhoeic dermatitis the same as dandruff?
They are closely related. Dandruff is essentially a mild form of seborrhoeic dermatitis confined to the scalp, producing flaking without much redness. Seborrhoeic dermatitis is the broader condition — it can affect the scalp more severely and also involves other oil-rich areas such as the sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears and chest, where it causes redness and greasy scaling as well as flaking.
What causes seborrhoeic dermatitis?
It is thought to result from an interplay between the skin's oil glands, a common yeast called Malassezia that lives on everyone's skin, and an individual inflammatory response to it. It is not caused by poor hygiene, and it is not contagious. Heat, humidity, sweating and stress can all provoke flares, which is one reason it is commonly seen in Singapore's climate.
Why does it keep coming back?
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing condition — it tends to settle with treatment and then recur, often in a relapsing-and-remitting pattern. This is normal and does not mean treatment has failed. The realistic goal is to control flares when they occur and to keep the skin comfortable with occasional maintenance treatment, rather than to cure it permanently.
Can seborrhoeic dermatitis be confused with other conditions?
Yes. On the face it can resemble rosacea, eczema or, occasionally, psoriasis, and on the scalp it can overlap with scalp psoriasis. In babies it appears as 'cradle cap'. Because the treatments differ, an accurate diagnosis is useful when a red, scaly facial or scalp rash is not settling with the usual measures. Sudden, severe or widespread seborrhoeic dermatitis is also occasionally worth assessing more fully.
Is it linked to anything more serious?
For the vast majority of people it is simply a common, benign skin condition. It can be more troublesome in certain situations — for example in people with neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, or those who are immunosuppressed — which is one reason unusually severe or sudden seborrhoeic dermatitis is sometimes assessed more carefully. For most patients, however, it is nothing more than an occasionally bothersome nuisance.
When should I see a dermatologist?
Consider assessment if the rash is not settling with anti-dandruff shampoos and general measures, if it is widespread or particularly red and uncomfortable, if you are not sure whether it is seborrhoeic dermatitis or another condition such as rosacea or psoriasis, or if it is affecting the eyelids or causing significant discomfort. Recurrent flares that disrupt daily life are also a reasonable reason to seek a clear plan.
References
- DermNet. Seborrhoeic dermatitis. dermnetnz.org
- Mayo Clinic. Seborrheic dermatitis — Diagnosis and treatment. mayoclinic.org
- American Academy of Dermatology. Seborrheic dermatitis. aad.org
Page last reviewed: 28 July 2026.
Important — This page is general information about a skin condition and is not medical
advice. It cannot take the place of an individual consultation, examination and diagnosis. Treatment
options, their suitability and their possible side effects should be discussed with a qualified
doctor who has assessed your skin. Individual results vary. If you have concerns about your skin,
please arrange a consultation.
Troubled by dandruff or facial redness that won't settle?
Arrange a consultation with Dr Chen Qiping at our Collyer Quay clinic — two minutes' walk from Raffles Place MRT. Consultations available in English and Mandarin.