How Do You Deal With Dermatitis Like Chronic Scalp Condition?

Posted on Fri, 18 May 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 18 May 2018 Answered on

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : Seeking advice about how to deal with chronic scalp condition. This is not new (have had for many years). Has been described as a type of dermatitis (aggravated by scratching). Form it takes is not loose dandruff but a few "spots" (often in same 2 or 3 locations) that are very itchy and scaly (sometimes red but often just whitish dead cells that overlap unevenly, and don't loosen, thereby causing itching and urge to scratch them loose). Scalp (and skin overall) tends towards being dry. But most scalp or hair moisturizers cause the condition to flare up. I wear hats outdoors as bright sun also tends to cause flare-ups (my hair is thin). I asked a dermatologist years ago but cortisone-type spray did little to help. Below I will list what I do to manage it but some days are really bad and I would like to learn about any better ways to deal with this.

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Require long-term topical application

Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am

I can certainly understand your concern

I have worked through your attached query in detail...

As per your symptoms, you seem to have chronic seborrheic dermatitis.

This requires consistent treatment with topical application of antifungal therapy like Clotrimazole Betamethasone combination plus a short course of oral antifungal agents for an extended period of 6 to 12 months.

Please check with your physician if he shares my view and if can prescribe these medications to improve your symptoms.

Post your further queries if any.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee