Eczema is a skin condition caused by a lack of oil and moisture in the skin. Healthy skin can maintain a balance of these two components to create an effective barrier against environmental damage, irritation, and infection. Scalp eczema can be caused by seborrheic or atopic (hereditary) dermatitis. Scalp eczema is also known as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, seborrheic psoriasis, and (in infants) scabies. This type of dermatitis can also cause eczema on the face, chest, back, armpits, and groin area. Although it can cause discomfort and embarrassment, this type of dermatitis is not contagious and is not caused by a lack of personal hygiene. If you understand the causes and symptoms of scalp eczema, you will be able to treat or cure the scalp of eczema.
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Method 1 of 4: Recognizing the Symptoms and Causes
Step 1. Look for common symptoms
Scalp eczema can cause problems on the scalp or areas of skin affected by eczema. Common symptoms include flaky skin (dandruff), itching, redness, scaling or hardening, oily patches, and hair loss.
- Inflammation causes reddish patches and a high content of fatty acids, which in some people makes the skin oily and yellowish.
- In infants, eczema is common on the scalp and looks like red, dry, scaly plaques. Or, in some more severe cases they appear as thick white or oily yellow scales.
- Other skin diseases such as fungal infections, psoriasis, dermatitis, and lupus look much like scalp eczema. However, these conditions differ based on the location and layer of the skin.
- If you're not sure if your symptoms are scalp eczema, see a doctor. Your doctor can help determine the cause of your symptoms and whether the condition is severe enough to be treated.
Step 2. Know the cause of eczema
In addition to a lack of oil and moisture, doctors believe that a certain type of fungus, namely Malassezia furfur, plays a role in causing seborrheic eczema. Malassezia fungus is usually present on the outer skin surface. In people with eczema on the scalp, this fungus attacks the superficial layers of the skin and secretes substances that increase the production of fatty acids. This causes inflammation and increases production and dryness in the skin, and ultimately makes the skin flaky.
If your eczema is atopic, which means your family has a predisposition to eczema, it's probably not a fungus. Doctors believe that many people with atopic eczema have a skin barrier that doesn't work properly due to gene changes in the protein structure of the skin
Step 3. Determine your risk factors
While doctors don't know for sure why some people get seborrheic eczema while others don't, there are several factors that increase their risk, including:
- Overweight or obesity
- Fatigue
- Environmental factors (such as dry weather)
- Stress
- Other skin problems (such as acne)
- Certain medical conditions, including stroke, HIV, Parkinson's disease, or head injury
Step 4. Avoid hair and skin care products that contain alcohol
Alcohol strips the protective oils from the skin's surface, making the scalp dry. This can exacerbate flakes and itching and may contribute to causing seborrheic eczema.
Wash the skin and scalp gently. Don't rub! Gently massage the skin with your fingers when shampooing. The goal is to clean the hair without stripping the oil from the scalp
Step 5. Don't scratch the itchy skin
While it's hard not to scratch when your skin feels dry and itchy, you shouldn't scratch the skin with eczema as this will cause irritation and bleeding.
Excessive scratching can also lead to secondary infection
Step 6. Be prepared because eczema will come again
It is unlikely that you will be able to "cure" eczema completely with effective treatments. Scalp eczema will appear and then disappear when treated. However, eczema usually comes back and requires ongoing treatment. Fortunately, most treatments can be continued for an extended period.
Method 2 of 4: Cure Scalp Eczema with Over-the-counter Treatments (Adult)
Step 1. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first
Over-the-counter treatments can interfere with certain health conditions and medical conditions, so you should consult your doctor or pharmacist before using them.
- If you have allergies, medical problems, are taking medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, always consult your doctor before starting any treatment process.
- Do not use the treatment on children without first consulting a pediatrician. Treatment of pediatric scalp eczema is a different process and will be discussed in a separate section of this article.
Step 2. Use over-the-counter care products
There are a variety of over-the-counter shampoos and oils for treating scalp eczema. Over-the-counter treatments are the first natural remedy to use before looking for prescription shampoos. You can also use it every day for a long period.
Over-the-counter shampoos should not be used for children. Use only on adult scalp eczema
Step 3. Wash your hair properly
There are some general guidelines for shampooing and using oils, regardless of the type of product you use. Rubbing your scalp too vigorously or using shampoos that contain alcohol can make scalp eczema worse.
- First of all, wet your hair with warm (not hot) water.
- Apply the treatment shampoo thoroughly on the scalp and hair, gently massage into the scalp. Do not rub or scratch. This movement can make the scalp bleed or even become infected.
- Leave the shampoo on for the time recommended on the package. Usually, you should let the shampoo sit for at least 5 minutes.
- Rinse hair thoroughly with warm (not hot) water and dry with a clean towel.
- Coal tar shampoo is harmful if swallowed. Do not get into eyes or mouth.
- Some treatments, such as ketoconazole shampoo, may be more effective when used alternately with other scalp products twice a week.
Step 4. Wash your hair with a selenium sulfide shampoo
This shampoo kills the fungus that has the potential to cause many cases of scalp eczema. If you kill the fungus, the skin will likely heal without becoming more dry, inflamed, or itchy.
- Some of the common side effects are dry or oily hair or scalp. Less common side effects are hair discoloration, loss, and irritation.
- You must do this treatment at least twice a week for it to be effective.
Step 5. Apply tea tree oil to your hair
Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) has natural antifungal properties that can help treat scalp eczema. A clinical study showed some improvement in people using a shampoo with a 5% tea tree oil concentration. The only side effect is scalp irritation.
- This product can be used every day.
- Do not take tea tree oil as it is toxic. Do not let tea tree oil get into your eyes or mouth.
- Tea tree oil has estrogenic and antiandrogenic properties that have been linked to conditions such as breast growth in males before puberty.
Step 6. Use pyridine zinc shampoo
Most anti-dandruff shampoos use pyrithione zinc as the active ingredient. Scientists don't know for sure why this ingredient can treat scalp eczema despite its antifungal and antibacterial properties. Zinc also helps slow down the production of skin cells thereby reducing flakes. The only known side effect is scalp irritation.
- This method can be used three times a week.
- Look for shampoos with 1% or 2% pyridine zinc concentrations. Pyrithione zinc is also available in the form of a topical cream.
Step 7. Try a salicylic acid shampoo
This shampoo has exfoliating properties and helps heal the peeling of the top layer of the scalp. Salicylic acid is effective at concentrations of 1.8% to 3% in shampoos. The only side effect is skin irritation.
Step 8. Try a ketoconazole product
Ketoconazole is very effective for treating scalp eczema. Ketoconazole is available in over-the-counter, over-the-counter products, including shampoos, soaps, creams, and gels. It is also available in prescription treatments.
- The strength of over-the-counter products is lower than prescription shampoos or creams.
- Side effects include unusual hair texture, changes in hair color, scalp irritation, or an oily or dry scalp or hair.
- Ketoconazole 1% to 2% shampoo is safe and effective, including for babies. This shampoo can be used twice a day for two weeks.
Step 9. Apply pure honey on the hair
Although not a shampoo, pure honey has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Pure honey can be used to reduce itching and release skin flakes. Honey cannot cure scalp eczema, but it can treat damage to the scalp.
- Dissolve pure honey in warm water, in a ratio of 90% honey and 10% water.
- Rub natural or pure honey on the scalp for 2 to 3 minutes. Don't rub too hard. Rinse with warm water afterward.
- Every two days, rub honey into the itchy scalp area and leave it on for 3 hours. Rinse the scalp after 3 hours. Continue this treatment for 4 weeks.
Step 10. Try a coal tar shampoo
Coal tar shampoo helps reduce the rate at which scalp cells are produced. This type of shampoo also reduces fungal growth and releases and softens scales and tough layers of skin. However, these shampoos are not as safe as other over-the-counter treatments, so it's a good idea to try other options first.
- Use coal tar shampoo twice daily for up to 4 weeks.
- Possible side effects include itching of the scalp, hair loss in certain areas, contact dermatitis on the fingers, and changes in skin pigment.
- You should consult a doctor before using a coal tar shampoo. This shampoo should not be used on children or pregnant or lactating women. These shampoos can also cause harmful interactions with certain medications or cause allergic reactions.
Method 3 of 4: Cure Scalp Eczema in Babies and Children
Step 1. Wait for the eczema to go away on its own
Scalp eczema in infants and children usually goes away on their own within a few weeks. In some cases, eczema may only go away after a few months. Although it may seem uncomfortable, most children are not bothered by the condition.
- If the eczema doesn't go away, talk to your pediatrician to discuss treatment options.
- As with adult scalp eczema, eczema in children may go away after treatment and reappear later.
Step 2. Use different treatments for children
Treatment for infants and children under the age of two is different from care for adults. In fact, you shouldn't use over-the-counter treatments meant for adults in children under 2 years of age.
Step 3. Remove the scales by massaging the child's scalp
Usually, the scales that form on a child's scalp can be removed with a gentle massage. Use your fingers or a soft washcloth. Wet the child's hair with warm water and massage his scalp gently. Don't rub.
Avoid using abrasive cleaning tools or exfoliating the skin, such as scrubbers, loofahs, or abrasive sponges on a child's skin
Step 4. Use a gentle baby shampoo
Shampoo for adult eczema will be too harsh for baby's skin. Use a gentle baby shampoo.
- Wash your child's hair every day.
- Ketoconazole 1% to 2% shampoo is effective and safe for babies, although you should always talk to your pediatrician before starting treatment. This shampoo can be used twice a day for two weeks.
Step 5. Massage the oil on the scalp
If massage alone doesn't remove the scales, you can apply petroleum jelly or mineral oil to the scaly areas of the skin. Don't use olive oil.
- Let the oil soak into the skin for a few minutes. Then, wash with a gentle baby shampoo, rinse thoroughly with warm water and comb the child's hair as usual.
- Make sure you rinse your child's hair thoroughly after the oil treatment. If not cleaned, the oil will build up and make the scalp condition worse.
Step 6. Bathe the child every day
Bathe the child with warm (not hot) water every 2-3 days. Do not bathe the child for more than 10 minutes.
Avoid irritants such as harsh soaps, soapy water, Epsom salts, and other bathwater mixtures. These ingredients can irritate your child's skin and make eczema worse
Method 4 of 4: Cure Scalp Eczema with Prescription Treatments
Step 1. Talk to your doctor about prescription treatments
Patients who do not respond to over-the-counter treatments or who are dissatisfied with the results may need prescription medications. Doctors can prescribe stronger treatments such as creams, lotions, shampoos, and even prescription medications if over-the-counter shampoos aren't effective. UV light treatment can also be an option.
Prescription antifungal shampoos and corticosteroids also work, but are expensive and have negative side effects if used long term. This treatment as well as other prescription shampoos should only be used when over-the-counter treatments are not effective
Step 2. Use an antifungal shampoo
A common type of prescription shampoo used for scalp eczema is antifungal shampoo. Most antifungal shampoos contain a concentration of 1% ciclopirox and 2% ketoconazole.
- The most common side effects are irritation, burning sensation, dry skin, and itching.
- This shampoo is used daily or at least twice a week for the prescribed period. Follow the directions on the package or recipe.
Step 3. Try a shampoo with corticosteroids
This shampoo can reduce inflammation and reduce itching and flaking of the scalp. Common corticosteroid shampoos contain ingredients such as 1% hydrocortisone, 0.1% betamethasone, 0.1% clobetasol, and 0.01% fluocinolone.
- Side effects usually occur after long-term use and include thinning of the skin, itching, a stinging sensation, and hypopigmentation (loss of color pigment in the skin that makes the skin lighter). Most people who use it in the short term do not experience any negative side effects.
- This prescription shampoo contains steroids, and some of the steroids are absorbed by the skin. If you have diabetes or are sensitive to steroids, you should discuss these complications with your doctor.
- Note that corticosteroid shampoos tend to be more expensive than other treatments.
- This shampoo can be used daily or twice a day for the time prescribed.
- Using antifungal shampoo and corticosteroids at the same time may be safe and give better results.
Step 4. Use another prescription treatment
Shampoo is the most preferred treatment for scalp eczema. You can also use creams, lotions, oils, or soaps that contain one or more of the above medical ingredients.
- Prescription antifungal agents called azoles are very effective treatments for scalp eczema. Ketoconazole is the most common prescription agent and has been shown to be effective in many clinical trials.
- Another common prescription treatment uses Ciclopirox, which is a type of hydroxy pyridine antifungal. This ingredient is available in cream, gel, or liquid form.
- Corticosteroids can also be prescribed in the form of a topical cream or ointment.
Step 5. Try light therapy
Light therapy, or phototherapy, can sometimes help cases of scalp eczema. Light therapy is generally combined with medications such as psoralen.
- Because light therapy involves exposure to ultraviolet light, it has an increased risk of skin cancer.
- This type of treatment is usually given to people with scalp eczema caused by atopic dermatitis or extensive seborrheic dermatitis. This treatment should not be used on infants or young children.
Step 6. Discuss other treatment options with your doctor
There are other ways to treat scalp eczema, but they are meant as a last resort as they can cause serious side effects. However, if other treatments don't work, you can discuss these options with your doctor.
- Creams or lotions containing tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) are effective for treating scalp eczema. However, they carry an increased risk of skin cancer and are more expensive than corticosteroids.
- Terbinafine (Lamisil) and butenafine (Mentax) are antifungal treatments for scalp eczema. These treatments can interfere with specific enzymes in the body or cause allergic reactions or liver problems. These side effects limit their use to treat scalp eczema.
