Scalp Seborrheic Dermatitis: What We Know So Far

Anne Kelly Leroy; Rita Fernanda Cortez de Almeida; Daniel Lago Obadia; Sidney Frattini; Daniel Fernandes Melo

doi:10.1159/000529854

Scalp Seborrheic Dermatitis: What We Know So Far

Skin Appendage Disord. 2023 Jun;9(3):160-164. doi: 10.1159/000529854. Epub 2023 Apr 5.

Authors

Anne Kelly Leroy¹, Rita Fernanda Cortez de Almeida¹, Daniel Lago Obadia¹, Sidney Frattini², Daniel Fernandes Melo¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
² The Mole Clinic, Private Practice, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada.

Abstract

Scalp seborrheic dermatitis (SSD) is a prevalent chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease. The etiology is related to sebum production, bacterial proliferation - Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus, and M. restricta - and host immunity factors - NK1+, CD16+ cells, IL-1, and IL-8. Trichoscopy features include mostly arborizing vessels and yellowish scales. New trichoscopic findings were described to guide the diagnosis as dandelion vascular conglomerate, "cherry blossom" vascular pattern, and intrafollicular oily material. Antifungals and corticosteroids constitute the essential therapy, but new treatments have been described. This article aims to review and discuss the etiology, pathophysiology, trichoscopy, histopathologic findings, main differential diagnoses, and therapeutic options of SSD.

Keywords: Dandruff; Microbiome; Scalp; Seborrheic dermatitis.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

The authors did not receive any funding.