Seborrhea on the scalp

I have developed seborrhea on my scalp, and the coal tar shampoo has not helped.  I am limited in products that I can use because my Celiac Disease causes me to react to topical products that contain gluten, which is in most products for dandruff shampoo.  My scalp is in terrible shape, and my hair is shedding way more than is normal.  I do take vitamin supplements and fish oil daily.  Please help!  Thank you.

[Dr J Singh]

Hello,

It can be due to dandruff which can be due to internal or external causes. Internal causes include hormonal imbalance, poor health, poor hygiene, allergic hypersensitivity, lack of rest, emotional stress, excessive consumption of sugar, fat or starch and heredity predisposition.
External causes include excessive use of hair sprays and gels, improper use of hair-coloring products, cold weather and dry indoor heating, infrequent shampooing of the hair or inadequate rinsing of the scalp and hair.
Sometimes fungal infections of the scalp and an allergy to dairy products, nuts and chocolates may cause dandruff, in which case you should avoid them for about eight weeks to be able to access its effect.

Eat a healthy diet. You can also take vit B6 and vit A and E which are good for hair and skin. Try medicated shampoos for dandruff. There are a number of over-the-counter shampoos available that can help. The most effective ingredients -- antimicrobials -- to look for are zinc pyridinethione, selenium sulfide, sulfur and ketoconazole (also available by prescription). If your hair is colored, don't use products with selenium sulfide or sulfur.

If the symptoms persist please consult a trichologist for the confirmatory diagnosis and treatment.

[rick100]

You can try Nizoral shampoo. It is available over the counter at your local pharmacy. I don't know if it has gluten though. Check with your doctor to see if this product will help with your problem and is okay for you to use. http://www.nizoral.com/products/
It's active ingredient is Ketoconazole  1% that is mentioned in the previous posting responding to your question.

[olchee]

Hi - I am having a similar problem.  None of those shampoos or steroid drop things seem to help.  I do not have Celiac disease.  Mine is a prolonded allergic reaction to lice (which I do not have now, but had about 6 weeks ago) and the medicines I slathered on my head (mostly ovide)  I am going to the derm again on Wed.  In the mean time, I have started on Diflucan (for a yeast infection) and I am hoping that may offer some relief since some evidence has been found to link yeast with seborrheic dermatitis.  Although Diflucan is not normally prescribed for that.  I also wonder if there is any correlation between the fact that I started drinking a bottle of beer (or 1/2 of one) each night for awhile.  (because I am nursing a baby and my milk production went down during the stress of trying to rid myself and my family of the lice!) The yeast in the beer may have made things worse too.  It is amazing how everything is connected.
I will let you know if anything helps me, please also do the same if you find something that is a relief to you.