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.
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.
Tea Tree Oil and Salicylic Acid
Posted by Chris (Chicago, Illinois) on 03/15/2007
★★★★★
The only thing that helped me with my Seborrheic Dermatitis is tea tree oil and the Scalpicin with salicylic acid, but then started using Rite Aid Brand of Scalpicin which I had better results. I don't have that many flakes, but the itching is unbearable. What's funny is when I tried the tea tree oil by itself it did not do much. And when I tried the salicylic acid by itself I only receive temporary relief. But when I alternated the tea tree oil and the salicylic acid every other day I received tremendous results. What I do is one night I put on Scalpicin and leave it in all night and take a shower in the morning, and the next night I apply the tea tree oil. I had a really bad case, so I put on a lot (almost half the bottle per application). The tea tree oil has a strong odor that could smell up the house, just to warn you. Also note that there are two Scalpicin's. One contains hydrocortisone and one contains salicylic acid. So if you try my method make sure you get the right one. For me, the hydrocortisone only temporary relieved my itching. I would by the Rite Aid brand or the CVS brand that says Scalp Relief of Scalp Itch and Dandruff Relief, as I received good results with these. Again I tried almost all of the products on the market, also Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon Juice, and this is the only thing that has helped me. Another thing to note is your itching might occur on the day after the night you used the tea tree oil, but it will go away the next day when you take a shower the day after you put on the salicylic acid. I used to have a rough scalp and this has truly helping my scalp return back to normal.
Tea Tree Oil and Salicylic Acid
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) 392 posts
Salicylic acid is a power chemical that causes skin peeling or possibly scalp damages in some cases depending on the concentration but it does kill certain fungus causing the condition. Dermatologist used the salicylic acid, likely in higher concentrations to remove scarring tissue too. I however prefer a milder solution if given a chance such as using acetyl salicylic acid, which is actually a plain aspirin dissolved in water and apply to the scalp, plus some epsom salt for example and alternate that with tea tree oil. I would probably also try a saturated borax in 1% hydrogen peroxide that was not considered also, since borax seems to be most effective against the fungus, without damaging the scalp.
Jojoba Oil
Posted by Steve (Solon Springs, WI) on 02/27/2007
★★★★★
I'm 39 years old and have been struggling with severe seborreheic dermatitis since the age of 14. apple cider vinegar was a BIG NO for me. I recently started using pure simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil.Leave in for an hour or so,than lightly rinse. My scalp, forehead, and eyebrows have been my problem areas. This seems to be working great for me.
Jojoba Oil
Posted by Ty (Us) on 07/30/2014
I'd be careful with jojoba it may feel nice to moisturizer but unfortunately the high oleic acid content will only feed the dermatitis because it feeds on oils.. Especially jojoba cuz it's so close to normal skin oil n the high oleic content
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Josh (Elk Ridge, UT) on 01/12/2007
★★★★★
Hi all! What a great website this is...finally; I've been looking for a resource like this for years! Anyway, I have moderate to severe eczema that flares up in the winter and is more mild in summer. Anyway, I went several days without using steroid creams or immune system inhibitors (Protopic ointment)when I tried the following regime. I would take a cold shower, then spray myself with potassium alum (dissolved in water and put into a spray bottle) when I was still slightly damp. Also, I was taking 1 T apple cider vinegar internally twice a day. My eczema didn't seem to get worse until I missed 2 days of the potassium alum treatment. I even had a semi-cold bath with 1 C ACV and soaked for about 20 minutes, but I forgot to do the alum. When I do the alum, it helps my skin to calm down. It gets softer. I don't use lotion.
A friend of mine gave me the potassium alum stone with his story of severe eczema in Thailand. The generous people there gave him this stone to try and it cured his eczema. I've been using it as deodorant and it works very well; no chemicals or additives. I think you can get the stones at a health food store (or do a google search for them).
Get a clean spray bottle and break up about 1-2 Tablespoon size chunks of alum. Put this in about 1 cup of water and then fill your spray bottle with it. I spray a few sprays on my hair and massage it in my scalp. Some under arms for deodorant and then I give a few sprays all over my limbs and body, rubbing it into my skin. It has a weird texture; it seems to sink into your skin quickly - that's why the spray works so well. I'm thinking of trying an application in the evening as well and maybe by then I'll have more of a cure. Experimenting with the frequency... Let me know how this works for you. I used to have bad eczema in my hair that would flake all over; very embarrassing. I cured it by soaking my head with straight ACV and covering that with a shower cap overnight, but I don't like smelling like a pickle throughout the day. :) Now, the potassium alum has prevented it without the smell. Good luck to all, and hopefully we can cure our debilitating eczema.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mike (California) on 01/02/2007
★★★★★
Hi, I tried ACV for my scalp Seborrheic Dermatitis. And it worked great. The ACV left my hair soft and my scalp 90% free of flakes. I have been using every kind of dandruff shampoo including prescription for 6 weeks. None seemed to help. But two days after one 30-minute application of ACV and no flakes! I also have Seborrheic Dermatitis of the eyebrows that is quite bad. And causing hair loss according to my doctor. Can I use ACV straight on my eyebrows or should I use a mixture? Will this cause any additional hair loss or be ok? Thanks!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sara (NY, NY) on 02/03/2009
I am having the same problem-- severe SD in eyebrows, am peeling like an onion. Can I use ACV on there? How diluted?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sri (Virginia) on 07/24/2017
U need to mix water and AVC 1:1 ratio, try pure organic raw honey mixing with water. AVC and honey both helped me for my face SD
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Max (Atlanta, Ga) on 12/24/2006
★★★★★
I've been a vegetarian for many years. And although I'm not 100% vegan, I rarely eat dairy (except yougart). I get plenty of exercise and I don't smoke and I rarely drink (red wine once a month). In spite of all this, I have been suffering from CFS for the last 7 years. Through diligence and hard work, many of the symptoms have slowly faded away. Recently, I got one of Kevin Trudeau's books and in that book he talks alot about the wonders of apple cider vinegar and pure distilled water. I've also researched this on the net and it all seems to be true. So for the last two weeks I've been drinking 8 full glasses of distilled water everyday and I've been taking 2 tablespoons of vinegar a day. I've noticed some obvious improvements. The most significant thing that I noticed is that I no longer have such dry skin and my scalp isn't flaky anymore. Also, it seems I'm sleeping better and I don't crave sweets has been lessened. Nonetheless, in spite of all the good news, I've been experiencing something that's totally unexpected and very unusual. I'm constipated. I've never had a problem with constipation. Even in my worst days with CFS I was never constipated. But now, every other day it seems I'm struggling to get something to come out. This is really baffling to me because I'm drinking more water than ever before and I have more energy, yet I'm suffering from constipation. Do you know what may be causing this?
Cold Laser Therapy
Posted by Hillary (Salt Lake City) on 07/02/2006
★★★★★
I have extreme seborhic dermatitis on both my scalp and eye lids. I went to a naturopathic chiropracter who practes applied kinesology and cold laser therapy. The best dermatologist and doctors in the Salt Lake Valley kept prescribing sterorids, and medicine and nothing worked. I finally went to a doctor who did cold laser therapy on my eye and scalp three times a week for six weeks and it is completly gone, and hasn't come back as of yet, and it has been over six months, I call him my miracle doctor. If you want more info on this type of doctor they use all natual cures, no prescriptions etc. check them out online.
Cold Laser Therapy
Posted by Lauren (Asheville and Boca Raton, North Carolina and Flori) on 06/28/2009
Hey Hillary, I also have seborrheic dermatitis on my scalp and I have it on my eyebrows as well, I was wanting to try this cold laser therapy, I had a few questions though. At the chiropractic that you went to, had he done this before for conditions like yours? I'm afraid of getting it done at a chiropractic office if they only have experience on using it for muscle issues. Also how is your condition now, did it come back? Have you had to do maintenence therapy? I'm amazed that nothing came back even after 6 months, that is enough for me, but just curious what has happend now.
Cold Laser Therapy
Posted by Maria (Vancouver, Bc) on 12/29/2014
Hillary, Can you please advise which doctor you used in your area for this? How long was each treatment?
Apple Cider Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Shana (Duluth, GA) on 04/18/2006
★☆☆☆☆
Upon finding this website, I have tried several cures for my seborrheic dermatitis. I have had no success. I followed the instructions as best as I could, but to no avail. I see no changes to my scalp. I also tried dunking my head in the bowl of ACV for 10 minutes. No major change.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Rene (Palm City, Florida) on 03/13/2009
★☆☆☆☆
After trying many prescribed medications from my dermatologist and other suggestions on the Internet, I tried the Apple Cider Vineger remedy by mixing one part vineger, one part peroxide, and 10 parts warm water, as instructed. I used this solution for two nights, and it made my Seborrhea worse. Maybe this is good for dandruff caused by this condition, but for the red bumps and itching and rash, it made it worse. My doctor told me my Seborrhea is "chronic," meaning I will always have it in some degree of outbreak. Also, he said it is hereditary. I remember my mother always touching her head, but I don't remember her being diagnosed with this condition. I am 68 years old, and I have had this condition for a year now. I was told that stress can cause it, and I have been under a lot of stress this past year. People on this and other websites have suggested that diet may have something to do with Seborrhea, and that cutting out everything white, such as bread, rice, etc. would help the condition. Has anyone been successful with this procedure? My dermatologist told me that when the prescribed medications he gave me no longer keep the condition somewhat abated, then I have to call him, and he will change the prescription to another type. I just worry about losing my hair with all of these strong medications.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Seborrhea Guy (Nyc) on 10/27/2015
Use of an antifungal may actually worsen the condition at first, due to a variant of the herkheimer reaction, or die off of fungal cells, going into an initial " overload " state. If you can persist past one or two treatments, you may find relief for your grief.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marissa (USA) on 04/09/2006
★★★★★
I have suffered with pretty severe seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp for about 2 years now. I have been to 3 different dermatologists for it. None have been able to give me anything that even begins to help. I have spent tons of money on prescription medicine for this as well as over the counter products. I happened to come across this website a few days ago and started reading the success stories. I said this is something I have to try. So, I went to the store and got some white vinegar which was super cheap, I put it in a hair dye bottle and squirted it all over my scalp 2 nights ago. I had washed and dried my hair before I put it on. I did not rinse it off at all or dilute it at all. I just put the straight vinegar all over my scalp after washing and drying my hair. I let it sit for 30mins, then dried my hair again. Well, I have done this the past 2 nights, and what a difference! This is remarkable ! My scalp still has a long way to go, but I see so much improvement. The redness is much less and so is the itchiness. I did notreally have a lot of flakes. I mostly had a very oily, itchy, inflamed scalp with pretty bad hair loss as well which I think is because my s/d is from a skin fungus (I think). My plan is to apply vinegar every night except once a week when I will do vinegar and hydrogen peroxide together. I don't dilute it because my condition was bad and I needed the treatment to be very strong. Don't let the smell stop you from trying this. If you leave it on all night, by the time you wake up the next morning, you can't even smell it. I hope this is able to help others with this VERY uncomfortable condition. I also hope my scalp does not become immune to it as it has to so many different things, but I'm optimistic here because I think the vinegar will eventually kill the fungus. Please repond to this if you have any other helpful tips or "cures" for dealing with s/d. Thanks
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by RITA (LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA) on 11/21/2008
I READ YOUR COMMONTS ABOUT THE MAGIC WORK OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. I HAVE SUFERED WITH SEVER DRY ITCH AND SCALY LIKE SCALP. EVER AS I WRITE THIS IT IS SHAME THAT I AM ITCHING HERE AND THERE. I HAD THIS FOR LONG TIME. I AM HOPPING USING ACV WILL SOLVE MY PROBLEM. I HAVE TRYING ALL KINDS OF MEDICATED SHAPOO AND PRISCRIBED SCALP MEDICATION, NOTHING SEEM TO WORK. I GAVE UP.I WILL BUY ACV AS SOON AS I LEAVE THE LIBRARY AND APPLY IT TODAY ON MY SCALP. I WILL LET YOU KNOW IF IT WORKS ON ME. THANK YOU.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Brijette (Bettendorf, Iowa)
★★★★★
My chiropractor told me to use vinegar on my baby girl's cradle cap. I applied it straight and let it sit for 10 minutes before her bath. I've done this only four times now and her cradle cap is almost gone already!!! Maybe this straight vinegar treatment could work for other scalp problems as well.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Reader (Boston, MA)
★★★★★
I'm so happy that I found this site. I have applied straight apple cider vinegar 30 min before washing my hair and the flaking is almost gone. It has taken five treatments and WOW what a difference. It make my hair shiny too (extra bonus).
