Effective Natural Remedies for Seborrheic Dermatitis Relief

Hi there,

I have seborrheic dermatitis very badly on my face as well as cystic acne. I'm sure the cause was having used a topical 1% Clindamycin solution (in an 8% glycolic acid toning solution) on my face for 15 years. Although I have stopped using the solution for 3 years now, my face is still a mess. Also, I have dandruff. What would you recommend as being the best natural solution for me to try and remedy this problem?

I look forward to your reply, Connie

Try this link for instructions or just google "ted's alkalizing formulas". https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/alkalizing_formulas.html

I tried all sorts of things to get rid of my seborrheic dermatitis/dandruff. I had it on my face and my scalp. Tried putting vaseline on at the start as I thought it was dry skin! Didn't work (obviously! ) Tried changing my moisturiser. Didn't work. Aloe Vera only seemed to make the appearance better for about 20 mins and then the flaking would start again. Tried a shampoo with Ciclopirox. Still no improvement. Tried a cream with neem in it. Still didn't notice much improvement.

Then I reached for the apple cider vinegar. I wasn't looking forward to it as I don't love the smell of vinegar. I diluted it to half strength with water and applied it to my scalp, shampooing and washing it out after 10-15 mins. Also applied to my face where affected and washed off with water after 10 mins. I saw improvements within a few days. I had to keep up the treatments for a bit. The facial treatments I did twice a day and the scalp treatments twice a week when washing my hair. 99% of the symptoms cleared up. The rest vanished as soon as warmer weather came in and I got a good dose of sunshine. So far I haven't had to do the facial treatments in the summer or autumn but am waiting to see if I may have to return to them once the weather gets properly cold again. The twice weekly scalp treatments I've kept up. I read somewhere someone suggesting that if the scalp is kept free from dandruff then that might control the whole lot which seemed to make sense to me. Thanks to all those who recommended apple cider vinegar for this condition as it really helped me.

Folks, it must be ACV with the "mother". No other has the health benefits of this. Braggs is a good one.

The direct combination of the two substances, hydrogen peroxide and vinegar, produces a strong oxidizing agent known as peracetic acid (also known as peroxyacetic acid, or PAA). The reaction occurs when hydrogen peroxide reacts with the active component in vinegar, acetic acid.

The substance at high concentrations can be highly corrosive and cause irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory system. Long-term exposures to the substance can cause permanent lung damage.

I've had seborrheic dermatitis for over 6 years now - My entire face would be covered in scaly patches. There is no cure but you can treat it and keep it minimized in its intensity.

By far and away the most helpful thing I've found in my battle against SD is salicylic acid - The strongest over the counter percentage is 3 percent - this helped me but was not enough. My doctor prescribed salicylic acid at 6 percent prescription strength and that applied twice a day keeps it mostly under wraps. Once or twice a year it flares up despite the salicylic acid cream, usually at the beginning of summer and winter - at these times I use a lot of apple cider vinegar and sulfure masks in addition to the prescription strength salicylic acid cream.

Sharon, I have had this same problem for several years also. I also drink a lot of diet coke and also eat a lot of carb foods. I would appreciate it if you would tell me how much baking soda and water to use for this treatment. Thanks, Jerry

hi Ted, what soap did you use to clean your nose with the next day?

Hi everyone, I want to share this information with as many people as possible because I find it very helpful. Recently I had really bad seborrheic dermatitis on my scalp and face. I read this forum and decided to try ACV. I applied it undiluted and let it dry on my face. It made the rash look worse (bright red), but I still kept applying it for another 2 days. I also washed my hair with head and shoulders anti dandruff shampoo once a day during this time. After 2 days I started applying zinc oxide cream. This stuff makes the skin look very white and it's hard to goout in public.

I think the ACV is good as the first treatment because it must kill the bacteria (also irritates the skin), and then the zincoxide helps the skin repair.

3 days is sufficient for completely healed skin.

Years ago a cosmetologist told me I had Seborrheic dermatitis, because my skin produced too much oil. This causes enlarged pores, red face, clogged pores, and basically you look like you don't wash your face very often. Other than drugs I was told to deal with it. So I have, until now...

I tried Mule Borax for my hair because I wanted to put fewer chemicals on my body and I heard great reviews. It's odd and tough to get used to and I'm not sure I like it. But that's another post. As a side effect it ran over my face in the shower. A few days later I noticed my face was different. It wasn't as red, it was less oily, and my pores were not clogged. Thrilled beyond imagination I did it for a few more days to make sure. Yes it really works!!!! My pores are shrinking!!!

Recipe

• pour Borax in a container, about 1/4 cup
• add hot water and stir to dissolve ( ignore the crystals that don't dissolve)
• ( my container is 8 cups because I'm using it on my hair)
• pour on face and scrub hand over face
• repeat about 3 times
• rinse
• Try in shower every day for a week, then see if your face is different

I'm sure there is a reason why this works, but I don't care. I'm just so excited!!!! It's the best $2 I've ever spent!! Thanks Earth Clinic!!!

Hi ABC, best solution to your problem that I know of is to put urine on your head, leave for a while then wash it. All else has failed so try it.

Hello, I just came across your post so I don't know if you have tried dietary changes yet? I have a feeling you would benefit from a liver detox, since I've read skin conditions indicate liver problems. There are many to choose from on this site. You may also like to try an alkalizing diet. Have you seen the documentaries "fat, sick and nearly dead" (very funny) or "the gerstein miracle". Both outline the benefits of raw vegetable juicing for skin or other more serious ailments.

Hi Abc... A greasy scalp and greasy skin may indicate a lack of Zinc in your diet. To remedy this you should supplement zinc gluconate on a daily basis to get rid of the scalp greasiness. Zinc also improves the immune system to help fight pathogens in your body.

When I had systemic candida, which is a fungal infection inside the body, I also had psoriasis as well as eczma and other skin problems. To me, psoriasis could well be a symptom which indicates a fungal infection from mold or candida deeper inside your body - an infection in your intestines and in the blood. And when I eventually got rid of my internal fungal candida problems -- all my skin problems just disappeared.

So if you are unable to cure your scalp problems with just topical skin or scalp remedies then this strongly suggests to me that your infection -- a candida or mold fungal infection -- must be a systemic one inside your body and in your blood. That may be why the topical remedies aren't working.

The specific protocols needed to get rid of candida or mold from the intestines and from the blood are shown at this link: Fungal Infection Treatment

Thanks Bill and everybody for their valuble comments.

Dear Bill - As suggested, I tried applying borax overnight then washing the hair in the morning using ACV H202 (1%) combination for almost 20 days. I have seen that my itching has been reduced but my scaling has increased and it's not getting cleared from my scalp. Also hair fall hasn't been stopped. I also tried to applied the tea tree oil lavendar oil along with coconut oil on my scalp. My flakes have become more sticky and greasy and it doesn't loosen up and come out easily during washing. I have to pick them manually which causes more hair loss.

I don't know why application of oil makes me more uncomfortable though these oils are antifungal in nature. Also, borax is giving me a relief in my itching but is not clearing up my greasy flakes.

One thing that helped me a bit is my new medical shampoo that I apply twice in a week (having Ciclopirox (1%), Zinc Pyrithione (ZPTO) (1%)). This lifts up my greasy scales and reduce flaking to some extent on the day of the application but the symptoms comes back next day.

Please let me know what should I do know. Should I continue using this medical shampoo for my scaling and flakes since application of borax and oil application isn't helping me out ? Please advice

If you have any other remedy for my problem please do suggest. Thanks again for your help in advance.

I'm not Bill but I have some recommendations for you. Massage coconut oil into your scalp. Also, rinse your scalp with a cup of white vinegar under the shower. Also consider tea tree oil and neem oil as topical treatment (add to a carrier oil), you'd be surprised what's in those bumps sometimes. I'd alternate these, doing one of these daily.

Thanks a ton Bill for replying back!!

When I use Borax, I keep it for around 20 min and then wash it off with ACV. However, like you have suggested I will try to apply it overnight and then will wash it of next day in the morning so that it remains on the scalp for more time. Will keep you posted with my results.

You have mentioned that you also add few drops of hydrogen peroxide with borax and keep it overnight. Is it safe to do that? I came across one article in this forum where somebody has mentioned that keeping hydrogen peroxide overnight has lead to serious hairfall.

Also, I don't have great success with the oil application remedy (mixing tea tree oil or other oil with carrier oil). It's not like I am sensitive towards oil but I have seen from past 6 years (From the time I have the scalp problems) that whenever I have applied oil it created lots of problem for me. Itching, scaling and hair fall has increased to many fold. Not sure why that happens. Is it due to some kind of allergy or deficiency?

Hi Abc... Whenever I use borax topically, I dissolve a few teaspoons in water with some hydrogen peroxide(a capful) and I put it in a simple garden sprayer. Sometimes I also add a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate as well. Then I just spray my whole body including my head with it. I usually do this after I have my shower at night and smply let this dry on my body before I go to bed. Then I just go to bed. Next morning I wash off the borax etc.

Just rinsing off the borax straight away after application will not allow enough time for the borax/hydrogen peroxide to kill the fungal/bacterial problems which may well be deeper under the skin.

You can also use the following essential oils(diluted in a carrier oil like coconut oil) during the day: Lavender oil, Sweet Orange oil, Pine Oil, Tea Tree Oil. Use 5 to 10 drops in a teaspoon of coconut oil is the way I do it-- just rub it into the scalp and leave it on.

Indonesia is quite a wet country -- it has high rainfall. Fungus and mold love these wet, humid conditions so human fungal problems can also therefore easily arise and abound because of mold or fungal infestations in the house or at your place of work. So your problems might have arisen for these reasons and if this is the case then either you must remove the fungus or mold from the walls/roof of your house(or move house) and/or remove the fungus from your place of work. The reason I say this is because your scalp problems may have arisen due to fungal/mold spores settling and infecting your skin and body from the fungus in your house or place of work.

I live in the Philippines and, in the wet season later in the year, I have noticed that Filipinos do not like going out into the rain. They believe that the wet season brings sickness like leptosporosis, malaria, dengue as well as fungal problems. Mosquitos are also a big problem in the wet season. My small shaded terrace was a haven for these mosquitos and I was always being bitten all the time which worried me. In order to deter these mosquitos from biting me, I bought a small Rose Geranium plant in a pot -- this is what some Filipino friends told me to do. That one small plant changed everything -- no more mosquitos anyhere near my garden or terrace. Unfortunately, the rose geranium plant died because it could not survive the lowland hot season (it's more of a mountain plant in the Philippines). So I bought Rose Geranium essential oil and mix drops of this with drops of essential pine oil and coconut oil(carrier oil) to keep the mosquitos off me. No mosquito ever bites me now when I go outside.

Hi Abc, Best ever remedy for psoriasis is your own urine, just put it on, leave a while & then rinse, costs nothing & works.

I cured mine with a mixture of Apple Cider Vinegar and beer. Put it on like shampoo. The itching instantly stopped. I had been going to the DR. And it only got worse. Worth a try!!

I'm not Bill, but suggest you try oil of oregano in a carrier oil, such as olive, sesame, coconut, etc. Don't use OofO straight.

Hello, the best treatment for psoriasis is grapefruit seed extract. You should put un diluted extract on your scalp for a few hours, then wash your hair as usually( don't allow GSE to get to your eyes). You should also drink GSE according directions on the bottle( always in a full glass of water or juice). GSE is very bitter and strong. Do it as long as you have symptoms of psoriasis.

Hi BILL, I am having severe scalp psoriasis with seborrheic dermatitis for the last 6 years. I came across this website and I have tried all the below TED remedies for 4 weeks but I am not seeing much sign of improvement.

1. Applied borax on my scalp and then rinse with diluted with ACV.
2. Took extra virgin coconut oil, borax with water
3. Alkalized body using ACV and baking soda.
4. Cut down all yeast diet.

The itching has been subsized to some extent but the flaking hasn't gone at all. Big clumps of skin is still coming out along with my hair. Should I continue the above treatment further or switch to different treatment? Please advice. I have really lost all patitience and I don't know what else should I do. Nothing is working for me. Neither medicated shampoo nor natural remedies. If I apply tea tree oil my scalp become more scaly and more flaking happens.

PLEASE PLEASE HELP BILL with my issue!!!!

It should be Apple cider Vinegar "with the mother". Regular ACV will not work.

Hi Anggna, Urine is very effective with skin problems where medications have failed.

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I am 27, female, and have been dealing with a combination of perioral derm/seb derm for about 6 months. My primary doctor thought it was just seb derm and gave me steroid creams, which obviously was the worst thing to do. I've seen a dermatologist who confirmed it is perioral dermatitis, and prescribed 2 months of doryx, as well as a topical antibiotic. I've been trying to go a more natural route before trying that though.

I've used ACV on my face, as well as grapefruit seed extract. I've also stopped all shampoos/cleansers with SLS, and switched to a non-fluoridated toothpaste. Much of the redness is gone, and many of the bumps.

In using the ACV and grapefruit seed extract, my skin has become extremely dry. I expected it around my mouth and nose, but the extreme dryness has spread to near my eyes/eyebrows, and probably worst of all my forehead/scalp line. And my dry scalp, that I thought I had fixed after pregnancy is back in full swing. I've tried coconut oil and calendula as moisterizers, but I don't see much improvement.

I need other suggestions for tackling this problem. I guess things ARE getting better because the redness bumps are greatly improved, but I feel like this dryness is a whole new problem. Help!

Hi, I also have seborrhea, and I have been trying to avoid simple carbs for 1 mo, I am not eating sugar, or sweets, I have a proteing shake in the morning and add some blueberries, but for lunch and dinner I have meat and veggies, and it went away, and it is coming back. I am not sure what I am doing but I would like to try what you are doing, what probiotic are you taking? I live in GA and would like to go to the store that you went, what is the name of it? Thanks, Isabel

This is most likely the best and most accurate advice I have seen. As a trichologist I am constantly advicing people that olive oil etc are not the way to treat it and why. Pleased to see it.

I've been suffering for dermatitis seborrehic on my face for almost 15 years.. From having a flawless face to having a red, flaky, bumpy, itchy and unrecgognizable face! I never understood why and I tried to cover it with my makeup looking all red and cakey. I tried the expensive creams with cortisone and worked while I used it and trigger back when I did not have the cream. I know you understand me, It was a nightmare! So with out having the money and just trying to go to the natural alternative I tried aloe vera, olive oil, biotin, coconut oil; they did helped for awhile but it would still come and go without me doing nothing to the DS.

After all this years while trying diffrent diets it occur to me not to eat PORK! Yupiii this was a Bingo for my DS!! I do not know what this have to do but I really dont care!! I do not have those flakes and patches no more, I can eat whatever I want and even drink alcohol! Now that I have found this page thanks to Ted and others I think that I have this disease due to drinking alot and this may have caused me candida and can be seen in my DS. I have to address that since then I been DS free until a feel days I was in a severe stressful and nervous sitation my DS came back but in a mild way just with the clear bumps but left in 2 days when I was calm. I really hope this will help someone out there..

I am now following Ted in EC and have been doing the ACV, lemon with H20 and trying not to eat sugars and I am trying to give up that social, ocasional drinksss. So for me right now is NO PORK, ACV, LEMON, -moisturizers OLIVE oil or CASTOR oil, and trying to keep myself CALM in upset, nervous breaking situations.

I tried Organic apple cider vinegar and water (1:1ratio) on my hair first time yesterday. It feels good. Couple of questions.

1. Should I quit my current dandruff shampo prescription?

2. When using on Face, should I quit my steroids I am currently using?

When I used first time I used baby shampoo first then sprayed this solution waited 10 mins and rinsed off. Just wondering if I need to shampoo before the application or after appilcation? I have read that some ppl suggested to spray it and leave it on. Is that better?

Please let me know. Also if someone can suggest some good shampoos when I quit the dandruff shamoos that will be great.

Sesame oil. Sesame oil has anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties. If you have tried everything else for the red, flaky skin, apply a non-processed golden color sesame seed oil topically for a few days. It will take a while. You can also try antibacterial hand sanitizer, not a cure, but easy and cheap and may help. If you think you have areas of pimples, like white dots, then see my posting in rosacea. You'll need to try ivermectin. Condider trying lactoferrin, digestive enzymes, and probiotics to heal the gut and fight whatever mycoplasma you have that may be causing an imbalance.

This posting is for all of you who have tried a number of remedies, including the Z care/ zinc pyrithione.

Good Luck Everyone.

I take Borage oil daily, wash my hair with Pine Tar shampoo every few days, and apply Rose Hip oil to my scalp. Amazing results.

This is so simple, brew a strong cup of green tea, let cool use the tea bag to blot your scalp, repeat morning and night for 3 days, should help for up to 3mths then repeat.

Hey, no problemo. I am glad my post has helped you. Its crazy how some people are affected by this chemical and some are not.

Pat, thanks SO much for this entry. I have the same facial problems and it really flared up last week after weeks of great looking skin and scalp. What did I do wrong, I wondered, viewing my ravaged, 1000 tiny bumps, flaking, itching skin in the mirror? Well, in a hurry, I had used my daughters regular toothpaste that she left on the sink. Mind you, I only used it once! My husband and I originally thought it was the great, California sweet oranges I ate. Then, thanks to your article I looked at her toothpaste and low and behold, the enemy, SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS) was present. I tell ya, vigilance is quite the necessity with man-made products. While I wait out the 4 days it will take my skin to get back to clearness, I will more dilligently stick to my natural mix: BS, peppermint oil & HP. Thanks for the heads up! Peace to ya as well.... CAT!

I just wanted to say thanks! I'm 29 and i've had SD for over 9 years now. I've used everything prescribed by the docs and needless to say - it only works till it doesn't. I stumbled upon this site looking for ways to get rid of the dandruff buildup on my eyelids and behind my ears. Its not attractive.

I was very excited about using the ACV diluted with water treatment. I have (had) really - really bad SD with the scabs and all. I sprayed the diluted ACV solution on my face and hair. Got as much to the scalp as possible. I have long hair. Waited for 15 mins and washed it away.

The difference in my facial skin was dramatic. I mean I use it 3 times a day on my face now (rub it on with a cotton ball). My skin looks healthy and even some dark spots on my skin have faded away. I love it.

It took almost a month to see the same results on my hair. But i'm glad to report that after 9 years i'm finally dandruff free! And if that wasn't great enough my hair is healthier and shinnier to boot!

I want to thank this little community for the "enlightenment".

So Thanks, Sam

(p.s. I use a mild 99% organically sourced ginger based shampoo to wash my hair after the ACV treatment)

After 15 years of struggling with seborrheic dermatitis of the face and scalp I am finally free of this horrible condition. For me it wasn't a deficiency but something I was allergic too which caused my body to react and therefore create this condition. Everyone is different but if you are still struggling with this condition and cannot find out why here is my feedback. I used and tried everything under the sun and the sun (uvb therapy). Vinegar, which was a big help for awhile but not a cure all, all types of cream, soaps, shampoos, vitamins, mineral, amino acids, immune boosters, immune suppressants etc. All of this adding stuff here and there but did not think to take a look at stuff I use everyday. Sulfates are my biggest enemy, especially sodium laurel sulfate. This is my cause of seborrheic dermatitis. It was in the shampoo I was using for 10 years and I quit using it and my scalp got was free of flakes but my face was not and I could not figure out why.

So fast forward 5 years later I went back to using a shampoo with SLS and bam it was back on my scalp worse than ever and my face got alot worse. So I switched my shampoo back to an all natural and my scalp cleared but my face remained a red flaky mess. So one day I checked every product that I used and the SLS was in the last place I could imagine... In my toothpaste!!! I felt so dumb that I had never seen that before.

So I switched to an all natural toothpaste that is SLS free and viola... Face is as clear as ever. I guess it was circulating through my gumline making my face breakout. Ok that was the silver bullet. But you must repair the skin barrier that had been damaged by this chemical. I found a product called _____ cleanser and moisturizer that is SLS free and this repaired my skin. I do not use it anymore simply because I do not need too. *I am not trying to sell anything on here just trying to help someone if possible. Just avoid all SLS which is in 99% of products out there. Peace out. Pat

Apple cider vinegar or any vinegar must be mixed with some water in order to make it alkaline and effective. Otherwise it will remain acidic and won't do much good.

Hi, happy to hear the results. Did you do it 1 or 2 times a day. Also, how much water and baking soda? I know it is to be done on an empty stomach. Thanks!!

I have had a severe case of Seborrheic Dermatitis for which I have been given steroid shots and topical steroid lotions. I have tried everything from Tea Tree Oil to ACV and everything in between. I would get some relief and then wham it was right back. After doing tons of reading I began to feel like this could be caused by the ph of body being to acidic. I drink a lot of diet coke and have a high carb diet. So I decided to try one of Teds alkalizing remedies. Baking soda and water and YUP you guessed it. IT'S GONE! After 3 days my scalp is almost back to normal and the itching is gone. I know that it is not posted as a remedy for SD but all I can say is it worked for me.

My last post didn't post as intended. It should say 'cured', not 'better but not cured'. I'm not aware that it is a contributing healing factor, but just in case, I'm also taking iodine supplements.

For years I tried everything to cure my scalp SD, including borax, ACV, oils. Nothing worked. Digging deeper as now it started to translate into the beginnings of hair loss, I found it had to be Malassezia and that the only promising treatment for that was zinc pyrothione. Bought some on ebay (hard to find, but I wanted the pure version, without alcohol), diluted it down to about 1%, and put it in my hair for a few minutes before rinsing. It actually works. When I comb my hear with my hands, I would always have strands of hair in them - 'normal', as the hair tends to grow back - but now, I can barely pull a single hair. It's pretty amazing. They tell you it's normal to shed hundreds of hair every day.

If you color your hair at home or in the salon don't use Hydrogen Peroxide in any strength. If you get it on your hair even from using it on your face and get a perm or relaxer you hair will melt. Vinegar is an acid.

Skin Update. Fatty Acid Metabolism Disorder.

Supplement with Borage, or Evening Promrose and Flax Seed Oil and Carnitine.

Totally Cured.

Sorry. Didn't know where to post this. Seemed simpler to update a previous post for seborrhea.

Symptoms: red, flaky skin, lifting off in very large flakes with white pustules like small cysts, forming rapidly under the skin. I did not have just the redness and broken veins that some people have. We need to be very specific about the symptoms here, since the symptoms can be easily mis-diagnosed.

It was diagnosed by my Dr. As "perioral dermatitis". Drs should be embarrassed to even say this to patients, I mean we all know we have a rash around our mouths, right? It was a mess, and I had it for approximately 8-9 months before I figured out what it was.

This is for people who have tried everything. Believe me. I tried everything listed on this website and more.

I treated it as: a pathogen (like a bacteria like strep or staph), a fungus, mites, (yes, I drank the damn borax), scabies, leishmania, malessezzia, (seborrhea), acne, I tried three different antibiotic gels from the Dr, (metrogel, ciclopirox, clyndamyacin). I would get excited, because some things seemed to work for a few days, then the condition always returned and got progressively worse. A fatty acid metabolism disorder will mimic the symptoms of Dermatitis with few other noticeable symptoms. My only clue came after I took a big dosage of Cod Liver Oil and I saw what looked like chicken skin under my eyes the next day. I knew something was really wrong.

Started Flax, and Borage Oil capsules the next day. Took L-Carnitine on an empty stomach, (just happened to have it, and knew it was good for fatty acid metabolism disorder from a study I saw on the web regarding Acidura and Carnitine). The Acidura, (a condition of acidity in the body) interferes with fatty acid metabolism processes in the body. This combined with a genetic predisposion called kryptopyluria and six cups of coffee a day meant I was not able to process fish oil of any type. This also explains why some of the other remedies like vinegar and baking soda, alkinalizing the body, and the liver cleanses, and the digestive enzymes seem to work for some people also. You will know within three days if this will work for you.

I saw healing within one day, the flakes stopped in three days and the redness went away in a week. My skin is perfectly clear and has been for two months. I still continue with the Carnitine, Flax and Borage only because I'm afraid to stop. Please note: I did topical applications of Sulfur, (sublimed pwder mixed into mayonese as a carrier) and bought MMS, (chlorine dioxide) just before trying the Flax, Carnitine and Borage. The sulfur may have lessened the white pustules, but I still had the red, flaky skin. If the pustules don't go away, you made want to try the sulfur or the MMS.

Best Wishes.