The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Miselliej (Prescott, Az) on 11/02/2013
Folks, it must be ACV with the "mother". No other has the health benefits of this. Braggs is a good one.
Ted's Remedies
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 03/29/2013
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.
Ted's Remedies
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Phillipines) on 04/23/2013
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
Ted's Remedies
Posted by Leah (Philadelphia, Pa) on 04/23/2013
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.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Reginna (Houston, Tx, Usa) on 08/16/2012
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.
Green Tea
Posted by Tammy (Vancouver, B.c Canada) on 05/15/2012
★★★★★
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sam (Toronto, Canada) on 03/20/2012
★★★★★
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)
Avoid Sodium Laurel Sulfate
Posted by Caitlin (Austin, Tx) on 03/24/2012
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!
Baking Soda and Water
Posted by Traci (Virginia Beach, Virginia) on 01/30/2014
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Lt (Boston, Ma) on 09/20/2011
Hi:
I'm suffering from Seborrheic Dermatitis and hair loss. I've been reading about alkalinizing your body to help with SD and started using (2 TBlspns) apple cider vinegar and baking soda( 1/4 spoon) along with 8 oz of water on an empty stomach for once daily( two days in a row). By the second day afternoon I started noticing stomach cramps and diarrhea. I have not taken it today, but I have a lot of stomach cramping and gas. I'm burping a lot of gas too.
Should I continue taking this or should I stop. What am I doing wrongly? Please Help! Thanks!
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Marvin Is (Out Of This World, Though He) on 12/08/2011
Any vinegar and baking soda will create CO2 gas. That's how a school kid's science fair experminent of making a model volcano works! Also pouring vinegar in a wine bottle and some baking soda in a tissue and putting the cork back in makes a cannon. Instead you should be separating the two. Take the ACV first then wait a few hours then take the BS. But that depends on when you eat. You'll want to take the ACV just before you eat as it aids digestion. BS would interfere with the acid in your stomach trying to digest. So if you don't eat breakfast first thing in the morning, you could get away with taking the BS first. Google around and learn how and when to take BS properly, you'll continue to interfere with your digestion as you have already demonstrated. Try incorporating some probiotics and fermented foods as well. Kombucha, Kefir, raw milk. Stay away from pasteurized dairy!!
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Dilesh (New Malden, Surrey, United Kingdom) on 08/15/2011
★★★★★
Just want to say that I tried ACV mixed with Bicarbonate of Soda and water. Sprayed it on my face and my Seb Dermatitis has gone. From what ive read its a fungus. The ACV on its own didnt help the White, scaly marks that ultimately ended in skin flaking off. Since I started this mixture my face is clean. Now can someone help me with what I need to take to close all the wounds on my face. They get itchy, and even when I go outside the wind can hit the open wounds and make me itch.
Sauerkraut
Posted by Mike (San Mateo, Ca, Usa) on 03/10/2010
I was diagnosed w/ Seborrheic Dermatitis over 10 years now. I think I finally found a cure!
Profile:
Age: 36. Male. Had Acne Vulgaris as a teenager. Took Tetracycline (anti-bacterial) from 18 to 24. I believe this killed off all my good bacteria which caused a chronic SD infection. I subscribe to the theory that there are bacteria which feed on the SD yeast.
I've tried everything ... topical ACV was the winner for a long time, but the SD would always come back. I had been juice fasting for a whole month, had a colonic and the practitioner recommended fermented foods. I came across a posting that prescribed eating lots of sauerkraut for SD. Something in the fermentation that is balancing my system. My skin has totally cleared up! I pray this is permanent. I'm of Germanic descent, so maybe my gut just loves the sauerkraut.
Sauerkraut
Posted by Mike (San Mateo, Ca, Usa) on 04/10/2010
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
Unfortunately the Sauerkraut didn't work permanently. Just had a huge flare-up yesterday. My plan of attack is to go back on a juice fast and possibly a week long water fast and colon/liver cleanse. Luckily, topical ACV still works for me and is my last line of defense at the moment.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by David (Mn) on 10/29/2013
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Irina (New Jersey) on 12/13/2016
Hi, I rinse with regular vinegar and water 50/50 and leave it on. By the time I dry my hair the smell is gone.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Maya2141 (Cambridge, Ma, Usa) on 10/21/2009
★★★★★
I have been suffering from Seborrhea for most of my adult life and used all possible medicated and non-medicated shampoos, nothing seemed to help. The only thing that worked was steriod creams and after I stopped them, it came back. I turned to the internet and found the ACV cure on EC. I have used it religiously for two weeks and its working.
I read another user's remark and got myself a color applicator from a beauty store and poured half ACV and half water. I apply it everyday after shampooing, rub it into the scalp and leave it for 2 to 5 minutes. It stinks like vinegar when the hair is wet, but once dry, no smell. There is none to minimal scaling and absolutely no itching in the hair. Since its only a couple of weeks, I am going it give it more time to completely rid the scaling. Note: I use an organic shampoo, with all natural ingredients and no sulfates. And since using ACV, I have skipped using the conditioner, the ACV leaves hair soft, shiny and detangled.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kitchenwitch2 (Santa Ana, CA) on 07/31/2009
★★★★★
I have had seborrheic dermatitis for most of my life. The past few years it has gotten worse and worse. I saw the dermatologist and he gave me some shampoos that worked minimally. I have tried nearly every OTC remedy.
The plaques were so bad lately I began to seriously think about shaving head. Truly, I was at my wits end.
I found this website and read about the ACV treatment. I happened to have had some in the cabinet that day (for treating my dogs for fleas) so I mixed some ACV 50/50 with water and applied it to the worst area, put a shower cap on and left it for 30-45 minutes. Then shampooed and conditioned as usual.
There was a marked difference after ONE treatment! I couldn't believe it! I have continued the treatment 2-3x per week for the last 3 weeks ( now with a spray bottle). My scalp is now almost completely clear! I expect to be completely cleared up within 30 days of starting treatment.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!! ACV works!
Christine Hernandez
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Courtney (Lewisville, Tx) on 08/08/2011
Hello Christine and everyone else, So I have a question.... I have had a bad scalp for so long and a Doc said it was SD like so many other stories on here. I have tried literally everything under the son from shampoos to liquids etc. After reading this site I went out and bought ACV and a bottle to use to pour on the scalp. I mixed half ACV and half water and also added 2 drops of Peppermint Oil that I read about it's benefits in another site for the scalp and hair growth. I got in the shower and applied the mixture which actually felt good on my scalp! As I was allowing it to soak in as directed, the fumes from the ACV began to almost choke me! I could not breath and began to cough a lot, I opened the bathroom door to get more ventilation which seemed to help. I wanted to see if anyone else had this problem? Also, after my hair dried my sclap seemed to be peeling off very badly like the condition worsened. I want to give it a shot and try again as that maybe my scalp needed another treatment. What do you guys think? Thanks, Courtney
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Charlie (Boca, FL USA) on 06/10/2009
★★★★★
First and foremost thank you all for posting and for this site. I have Seborrheic Dermatitis on my face and scalp. It started as a red dry skin area around my nose and spread to under my eyes, chin, side burns, eye brows and when I did not shave anywhere there was hair. It has not spread to the rest of my body and thankfully just on my face.
It would get worse when I exercised, sweated or a temperature change from hot to cold weather wise. This caused me to stop exercising, which as a tri athlete was horrible. Sadly ordeal lasted roughly 6 years until I found Apple Cider vinegar. Before that I tried, dandruff shampoos, creams, acne solutions (proactive) and steroid based creams from my dermatologist.
The solution was simple and in my grocery store:
Apple cider vinegar in liquid form. I got the idea from this site and tried the recommendations.
1. Drink it mixed with water. That tasted badly so I decided to just do a shot of it. BAD IDEA. It almost killed myself and threw up for roughly 4 hours, side note it was a interesting way to reset and rid myself of all my stomach lining. DO NOT DRINK IT AS A SHOT.
2. I then tried the pills-no effect
SOLUTION:
Got the liquid. Take 3 piece of toilet paper and fold it in 3's just enough to make a strip where I can cover the top of the bottle and turn the acv bottle over making 4 circles so I can wipe my face with it. It stings but man does it work. No more pealing and my bad flare ups now are what I used to consider my good days. I did it once in the morning and once at night at first but now I forget to do it because I don't need to. I f I go more than about a week it will start up, but as soon as I do the acv"poof" all better. Sweating and exercising does start the process again but as long as I do it twice a day- I am good to go.
Please feel free to email me with questions at [email protected]
I hope this helps and thank you all again for introducing me to acv.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Coregon (Medford, Or) on 03/08/2011
To Ana from Philadelphia who said:
"Realistically, it's probably a good idea to brush your teeth after consuming ACV in any manner."
Ana, you're correct and incorrect. Leaving the acid of orange juice and Apple Cider Vinegar on your teeth isn't good, but brushing your teeth while you have those acids on the teeth is hard on the enamel. Dentists recommend you rinse your mouth several times but don't brush teeth right after drinking acidic drinks.. wait until later.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Valentine (Portland Or) on 03/21/2016
★☆☆☆☆
Coconut oil made my seborrheic dermatitis worse. It actually spread it from around my nose and chin up to the corners of my eyes. After a little research, I am convinced that adding oil is the wrong move for SD. The area needs to be dried out. See my cure under sea salt.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Debra (California) on 01/11/2022
Brain Octane (from Bulletproof) is C8 Caprylic Acid
Honey, Peroxide, Zinc Pyrithione
Posted by D (Lisbon, Iowa, USA) on 03/04/2009
★★★★★
If you have a diagnosis of SD you will know that there are many sites that say it is caused by Pitisporum Ovale, they are incorrect. SD is caused by Malassezia Globosa. My eight year old had it all over his face and it was spreading rapidly, the doctor gave us a prescription for Eldel, which has a black box warning and was $40+ even with insurance. It surpresses the immune system and I would not use it on my child who is a cancer survivor. My poor son could not tolerate any of the antifungals I put on his face, his skin was extremely sensitive and everything was painful. I finally hit upon non-pasturized honey, it works. Cleanse the area with hydrogen peroxide, put honey on all the areas. I put it on him right after school and then re-applied at bedtime. I also read a study that zinc pyrithione kills Malassezia Globosa, so I also purchased a 1% zinc pyrithione spray called "Z Care" by supplement spot.com on the net. It took forever for them to ship it, but it works. Once you know the exact cause, you have a better chance of fighting what ever it it is. My son could not tolerate head and shoulders on his face whatsover, but the "Z care" spray doesn't burn as long as you wait 10 min after you wash your face. Results with the honey alone were visibile in a day or two, but it is slow going until every little flaky area is gone. It took about 2 months to completely heal him. A note of caution, if the SD is all around the nose area, consider applying the honey and the zinc pyrithione carefully to the inner rims of of the nostrils. I just use a q-tip to appply anything to his face anyway. Don't spray the spray near your face, spray the Q-tip first. The SD was so bad that he also developed a secondary staph infection on the side of his mouth. The honey healed it, and knocked the infection right out. He has a small pink area of scar tissue, where the staph infection was, but I am hopeful this will fade with time.
Read the study: http://www.pgbeautyscience.com/defining-issues.html
Good Luck!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Sara (Miami, Florida) on 01/19/2009
★☆☆☆☆
Seborrheic dermatitis in Eyebrows:
Please help me, I am at my wit's end. I got seb der in my eyebrows about eight months ago (and I think my trigger was make-up). This winter it flared up really badly. I tried drinking only soy milk but that did not help. My entire eyebrows are covered with flakes, and have been covered for several weeks now. Steroid creams worked initially and my skin calmed down, so I switched to Elidel like my doc said to, and my eyebrows got really bad. I tried Jason's tea tree oil shampoo and that irritated my skin. I am currently on Desonide (a steroid cream) and a salicylic acid cream, and there have been some slight improvements. Please help me, this is so embarrassing and frustrating. The seb derm is spreading so more and more of my eyebrows are getting scales. Before it was only a small area, but it expanded.I am also afraid of hair loss. The flakes are so huge that usually, most of the scale gets off of the roots of the hairs, but when I go to pull out the flake, since not all of the flake became detached from my skin, I pull a couple of hairs with it. Please help, I am very desperate. I am thinking of doing something drastic like cutting off of my eyebrows and just not showing up to school for a month.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kelly (Monroe, MI) on 01/19/2009
Hello and thank you for this wonderful site, I love Earthclinic!
I have had many skin problems, especially on my face, the constant itching has at times, nearly driven me crazy. I have tried many remedies many of which seem to work only temporarily (although I must confess that I am not as good as perhaps I should be about sticking to one remedy at the time, or giving a given remedy a chance to work). Lately I have been taking the remedy that is listed here as a "blood cleansing" one, which is the Blackstrap Molasses (1 teaspoon) plus Sulfur (in form of MSM - 2 teaspoons), twice daily. I usually mix these two ingredients and eat them with a spoon and then drink about 2 cups of slightly warm water to get rid of the awful taste. So far, the results have been very good (I have only been taking it for about 2 weeks), the itching is almost completely gone and my skin is fairly soft. I don't wear make up or any kind of facial creams. I try to avoid anything that can cause irritation, but because of the cold, I have to use some moisturizer, for that I choose one drop or two of Jojoba oil. I hope this helps.
Prescriptions
Posted by Ruth (Costa Mesa, California) on 12/20/2008
★★★★★
I had seborrhea dermatitis for a year and have tried acv,and everything Ted recommended, but it didn't help much. I tried dermatologists and nothing helped until finally my internist suggested I try Edonazole Nitrate Cream 1%, I tried it and the seborrhea dermatitis is almost gone. I started with the cream 12-4-08 and this is 12-20-08. I am thrilled. I washed my face twice a day and applied a thin layer of the cream after each cleaning.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Faith (Seattle) on 11/25/2016
My Chinese medicine doctor told me if it is on your skin the cause is inside your body. I'm a vegetarian I went on a anti fungal diet stopped all stopped sugar, and started taking zinc, nicinamide and the GSE that is for external. The original GSE for internal use has changed but due to some red tape regulation for the major co the external use one is the original GSE do your homework on this one which kills fungus. Chinese herbs. Increased probiotic and drank lactose free kefir ate daily lots of picked smoked garlic. I work from home so I'm not around people much and alkalized two or three times a day and finally it went away.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Diana (Brockton, MA) on 07/23/2008
★★★★★
apple cider vinegar with the following has improved 99.99% my scalp condition of sebhorreic dermatitis: spray or just add to scalp prior to washing hair, leave 5 minutes on scalp, then shampoo with lavender shampoo and 2 drops of tea tree oil, again leave 5 more minutes, then shampoo again with DHS dandruf shampoo (you will find this one over the counter, contains Zinc)and end with a tea tree conditioner. After 2 weeks, my scalf looks almost natural and the itch has almost completely gone away. Once condition starts clearing, use DHS shampoo only a couple or times a week, same as vinegar.
Borax, Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Julie (New York, NY) on 10/12/2007
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
I left feedback for borax saying that it worked for my rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis. It worked initially but it came back today. So I detract my initial claims in the feedback I left yesterday. Thanks.
Borax, Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Billy72 (Devon, Uk) on 01/09/2011
Thanks for that, and if I want to mix it with the borax do I just add the borax to that solution until it's a paste? how may times a day would I do that for? Thanks
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Ana (Vancouver, Canada) on 05/04/2007
★★★★★
I was diagnosed with SD some 3 years ago and was prescribed Nizoral shampoo by my dermatologist who said that my condition will go away "just don't know when"! I also suffered with constipation, bloating and flatulance after every meal but never mad a conection with the two problems. Then I started reading about Yeast Overgrowth and did the saliva test which was positive for candida. I took one therapy (2 weeks) of a product called CandiGone by Renew Life, started taking probiotics in pill form, cut sugar and carbs in my diet, started drinking kefir and eating lots of yougurt enriched with probiotics. The results - I just did the saliva test and there are no more nasty little legs in it. I will slowly start to introduce carbs and sugar back into my diet, although in very small amounts since I don't crave it anymore. For my scalp I did the following: I would mix 15 drops of tea tree oil, 10 drops of lavander oil, 4-5 drops of grape seed extract in my organic jojoba shampoo and apply that to my scalp. I would leave it on for 15 min and then rins out. I repeated that every night for the first week and then switched to every second day. I don't have anymore lesions in my hairline, the itching is almost all gone now. I've been doing this for three weeks now and I'm really happy with the results. I hope my story will help other pople suffering from candida and seborrheic dermatitis. PS. Great site! keep up the good work.
