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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask anyone with seborrheic dermatitis about your skincare regime?

11 replies

User12879923378 · 09/03/2020 09:26

I've had this condition on my face and scalp for about thirty years and for the last three years have controlled it with zinc soap on my face and Nizoral on my scalp. The only problem is that the bits of my face that aren't affected are really dried out, so my forehead is starting to get very papery and lined. I'm just wondering if anyone else has this issue and has found a moisturiser that doesn't trigger a massive flare?

And also interested in how people manage the condition generally.

OP posts:
Gwilt160981 · 09/03/2020 09:29

Coconut oil helps with the dry skin and scalp problem, and anti dandruff shampoo. I bought the Asda anti dandruff shampoo which is reasonable priced and coconut oil just run into your skin and scalp.

hookiwooki · 09/03/2020 10:19

DS has eczema, his basic routine is emollients morning and night, in the bath as a soap substitute and applied again afterwards while his skin is still damp. His flare-up routine is emollients an extra 2-3 times per day, hydrocortisone twice per day and an antihistamine for the itch.

I have seb.derm and manage with an anti dandruff shampoo (breastfeeding so Nizoral not recommended), Tesco works well. I use emollients on my face and apply to damp skin, with antihistamines for itching and hydrocortisone when it's really bad.

We only ever use hydrocortisone on inflamed areas and for the minimum amount of time possible at the lowest % that works. It should only be used on the face with a prescription (although I just buy it now, it's cheap enough for us but like everything else it costs the NHS a fortune on prescription).

We both use Epaderm. DS is allergic to Aveeno (although we can't work out why because he has oat milk), and I react to E45.

Emollients can be expensive without a prescription, and the emollient that works well for one may not for another, but you can get most emollients in a small pump, (which we carry around as a handwashing substitute). You could try a couple this way until you find the one that works for you and then invest in a large pump or ask for a prescription.

Epaderm, Diprobase, and Cetreben are the most commonly used I think.

User12879923378 · 09/03/2020 12:54

Thanks both! I hadn't thought of antihistamines for the itching. I feel like there is very little advice out there for general skincare but perhaps that is because my diagnosis was so long ago and I haven't seen a dermatologist since.

OP posts:
hettie · 09/03/2020 13:17

I have seb derm but only on an area of my scalp. I was controlling it (ISH) with zinc (pyrithione zinc) shampoo and occasional use of Daktacort Hydrocortisone Cream (antifungal and anti itch). I only use the shampoo in the inflamed area and use a good conditioner. Recently I have discovered mother dirt AO spray (probiotic spray) and that has really reduced the flaking. I need to keep up the spray twice a day though and it's not cheap....I can see from Reddit that others have had success with this on their facial seb derm.....

thismumismad · 09/03/2020 13:35

I've never suffered with seborrheic dermatitis, but I used to suffer with guttate psoriasis over most of the top half of my body. After 4 years of this and my birthday spent crying because the skin on both of my armpits came away when I had a shower. I did a massive load of research and stopped using commercial products and made my own soap and body butter. My psoriasis went in just 3 weeks and has not returned 10 years later. My skin has never been so good the last 10 years, I rarely use moisturiser. I have a list of sulphate free products. Feel free to pm me if you want to know more.

LettertoHermoine · 09/03/2020 13:41

My Partner has it and uses Elave wash and cream and finds it works very well for him.

Melassa · 09/03/2020 13:55

I have it on my scalp and sometimes on my face when stressed. I use a selenium shampoo, I used to get it on prescription from a dermatologist but have found the Vichy one works just as well (still expensive but less that the prescription one). Generic anti dandruff shampoos made it worse, so I tend to avoid.
For the face I find coconut oil works, there is a cream you can buy from Amazon but I’ve found it no better than the coconut oil tbh.

ovener · 09/03/2020 14:17

My dad has suffered with it for as long as I can remember - there were always bottles of Selsun and Nizoral in the bathroom. He has tried everything for his scalp and has recently had a huge breakthrough with the Superdrug Trichology range, particularly the scalp tonic. I think salicylic acid is the magic ingredient. The best part is it's really affordable. I realise that doesn't answer your question but thought I'd share as it's been such a revolution for him.

For your face, have you tried Dermol 500 lotion? I use it as a face wash and then rub a little in as a moisturiser afterwards. Very gentle. (Lastly, I'm a little afraid to recommend my secret weapon as it has been discontinued and I can only find it on eBay, but this stuff is so calming, also because of the salicylic acid I believe: shorturl.at/mtwT2)

Iambananas · 10/03/2020 20:56

I've had atopic eczema since I was two. For several years I've had problems with flare ups on my scalp, face and hands. I eventually realised that the flare ups on my face (which make me totally miserable) is more than likely from my scalp. Betnovate scalp lotion is the only stuff that works.
Ask your doctor as it's only available on prescription (in the UK). It has the consistency of water and stinks like not lotion (possibly due to alcohol) but it's really really good. It's very strong so it can't be used elsewhere on the body, hence the prescription. I use it overnight for a few nights at a time. Usually I can tell the difference after the first night

Iambananas · 10/03/2020 20:58

*nit lotion

hurrythefuckupgeorge · 10/03/2020 21:02

I have had success with a scandanvian shampoo called Harklinikken which sadly is impossible to buy in the UK so I need to pay huge shopping costs but it's the only thing that works on my scalp. The only moisturiser I have found that works is Lush Celestial as it is super gentle.

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