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Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staffOne theory about why Malassezia yeast may be a factor in seborrheic dermatitis is that the yeast's own life processes change the balance of oils on your skin. In susceptible people, this may trigger a reaction. There's some evidence — although nothing's been proved — that applying certain oils that make your skin softer and more supple (emollients) may offer some relief.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil was found to be more effective against seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp than a look-alike inactive treatment (placebo) in one small study. But seborrheic dermatitis went away completely in only one person using tea tree oil and one person using the placebo. No one in this study experienced side effects from using tea tree oil, but other studies suggest that tea tree oil can sometimes trigger an allergic reaction. Tea tree oil may also have a whole-body effect on certain hormones.
Fish oil supplements
There's also some evidence that taking fish oil supplements, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, may help seborrheic dermatitis. Although taking up to 3 grams of fish oil per day is generally considered safe, fish oil can cause "fishy" burps, nausea and diarrhea. At high doses, it may slow your blood's ability to clot and increase your risk of internal bleeding.
It's always a good idea to check with your doctor before adding any alternative treatment to your health management strategies.
- Berger TG. Dermatologic disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2010. 50th ed. New York City, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=747. Accessed March 29, 2011.
- Datner A. Complementary and alternative medicine in dermatology. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3005766. Accessed March 29, 2011.
- Plewig G, et al. Seborrheic dermatitis. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2951940. Accessed March 29, 2011.
- Naldi L, et al. Seborrheic dermatitis. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;360:387.
- Stefanaki I, et al. Therapeutic update on seborrheic dermatitis. Skin Therapy Letter. 2010;15:e1. http://www.skintherapyletter.com/2010/15.5/1.html. Accessed March 29, 2011.
- Morelli V, et al. Alternative therapies for common dermatologic disorders, part 1. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2010;37:269. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/article/body/238184569-2/jorg=journal&source=&sp=23315271&sid=0/N/747943/1.html?issn=0095-4543. Accessed March 29, 2011.
- Weston WL, et al. Overview of dermatitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 29, 2011.
- Dattner AM. Seborrheic dermatitis. In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier. 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-2/0/1494/0.html. Accessed April 2, 2011.
- Public health advisory: Elidel (pimecrolimus) cream and Protopic (tacrolimus) cream. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/DrugSafetyInformationforHeathcareProfessionals/PublicHealthAdvisories/UCM051760. Accessed April 1, 2011.
- Pielop JA. Benign skin and scalp lesions in the newborn and young infant. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 1, 2011.
- Fish oil. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed April 3, 2011.
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