Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition, very common and often recurrent, that appears in areas rich in sebaceous glands — that is, where the skin is oilier: scalp, eyebrows, sides of the nose, retroauricular area (behind the ears), chin, sternum, and sometimes even in the axillary or inguinal folds.

How it manifests

Typical symptoms include:

• Redness (erythema) diffuse or localized;
• Fine or greasy scaling, whitish or yellowish;
• Pruritus (itching) variable in intensity;
• Sometimes, light crusts or adherent scales on the scalp (“greasy dandruff”).

In men, it is common in the beard and mustache, while in women — around the nose and eyebrows.

(AI-generated image, for illustrative purposes)

Causes and mechanisms

It is not simply a case of “oily skin” or poor hygiene. In fact, the cause is complex, involving:

1. Excessive proliferation of the fungus Malassezia furfur (a unicellular fungus that normally lives on the skin);
2. Exaggerated inflammatory response of the body to this fungus;
3. Genetic, hormonal, and stress factors that increase sebum secretion and alter the skin microbiome.

Therefore, seborrheic dermatitis is chronic, with periods of remission and relapse, especially:

• in autumn and winter (cold, dry air),
• during periods of stress,
• after illness or lack of sleep.

Natural protocol

In addition to the treatment recommended by your dermatologist, you can follow this natural protocol:

Local treatment:

• Tea tree oil – has antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects;
• Coconut oil – reduces Malassezia and soothes the skin;

Tea tree oil is always used diluted, never pure: to 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of coconut oil add 4–6 drops of tea tree oil (optionally, 2 drops of lavender or chamomile oil for a calming effect and pleasant scent), mix well and store in a dark glass bottle at room temperature.

Application method:

On the scalp: gently massage the mixture into the scalp, leave on for 30–60 minutes (or even overnight if you tolerate the smell), then wash with a mild antifungal or neutral shampoo.

On the face: apply a small amount (with clean fingers or a cotton pad), leave for 20–30 minutes, then remove excess with a dry cotton pad. If the skin is sensitive, rinse gently with lukewarm water.

This can be repeated 3–4 times per week, and during calm periods, only once a week for maintenance.

Important:

• If burning sensation, intense itching, or severe redness occurs, reduce the concentration (e.g., only 2 drops of tea tree oil per tablespoon of coconut oil).
• Avoid the eye and lip areas.
• You can first test the mixture on a small skin area (behind the ear or on the forearm).

General treatment:

• Olive leaf extract – antifungal action and immune regulation. To order: evergreenlife.io/doctorcip
• Probiotics – to regulate intestinal bacterial flora and, implicitly, the skin flora;
• Reducing sugar and ultra-processed foods, which can worsen inflammation.
• If dermatitis appears during periods of tension, fatigue, or lack of sleep, you can take Reishi, 1 capsule in the morning and Ashwagandha, 1 capsule in the evening.

Prognosis

Although it is not definitively curable, seborrheic dermatitis can be very well controlled with properly applied treatments and consistent care. Many patients experience complete remission for months.