Does anyone else have seborrheic dermatitis

[CarolTN]

I have had a scalp issue for years. Nothing big, just a few itchy bumps and sometimes a red, inflammed scalp. I’ve been to the dermatologist and had several stylists look at my scalp. The dermatologist said I probably have seborrheic dermatitis. Does anyone else suffer with this?

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @CarolTN!

Can you give us some background? Have you been officially diagnosed with either celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis or both?

[Scott Adams]

Seborrheic dermatitis can definitely be frustrating, especially when it causes itching and redness. You’re not alone—many people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity also struggle with skin and scalp conditions, and some find that gluten exposure worsens inflammation. Have you noticed any connection between your diet and flare-ups? Some folks see improvement with gluten-free or anti-inflammatory diets, while others benefit from medicated shampoos (like those with ketoconazole or selenium sulfide). It might be worth tracking symptoms alongside your diet to see if there’s a pattern. Hope you find some relief soon.

[cristiana]

Hi @CarolTN

I haven't been diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis but as @Scott Adams says, like a lot of coeliacs I do suffer from itchy skin, and now adult onset eczema. The latter started during one of the lockdowns. 

I find my skin is often itchy if the temperature changes from hot to cold or cold to hot, that seems to set it off. This time of year is bad,  I also get an itchy throat, so maybe pollen is having some effect.

I am not sure where you live but here I'm mentioning the products I buy in the UK that help me - they may be available where you live?

For my scalp, I have used with some success Neutrogena T-Gel, but I think Philp Kingsley's products for flakey, itchy scalps are amazing. I've used the shampoo and the toner.

For the rest of my skin, I use something called Adex Gel after I have showered, and then any really itchy patches I treat with Betnovate, a steroid cream, 20 minutes later, as suggested by a doctor.

I currently have some very stubborn patches around my waist, no idea what they are - Canesten anti-fungal cream makes them worse, so does Betnovate.  But when I rub the patches, they disappear, i.e. blanch, which apparently classic for dermatitis.  It's a constant challenge!

When I first got eczema I had given up chocolate and was eating cakes which contained almonds.  My blood tests showed the markers for eczema were elevated at that time - the  IgE.  I felt there might be a connection. So you  may find something in your diet isn't helping the situation, other than gluten?

Cristiana

 

 

 

Edited April 1 by cristiana

[bohanley]

On 3/31/2025 at 2:03 PM, CarolTN said:

I have had a scalp issue for years. Nothing big, just a few itchy bumps and sometimes a red, inflammed scalp. I’ve been to the dermatologist and had several stylists look at my scalp. The dermatologist said I probably have seborrheic dermatitis. Does anyone else suffer with this?

Yes I have an itchy scalp and some small area of itchy scaly skin at the base of my scalp on my neck. My hairdresser noticed it also. 

[CarolTN]

Thank you to Trents, Scott, Christina and Bohanley for your replies! 

I have been gluten-free for about 13 years and mostly dairy-free during that time. I haven't been diagnosed as Celiac. When I did the test I hadn't eaten gluten for two years and the nurse told me the test wouldn't be accurate.

Anyway, once in a blue moon I'll get tempted and take a tiny bite of something. If I do this two or three times close together, I'll get nauseated and if I don't throw up right away to stop it, will spend about 8 hours throwing up off and on before it's over. 

I've been using Ketaconazole shampoo for about two years. I like T-Gel, but the prescription shampoo is the only thing right now that calms my scalp down. Many times, my scalp looks pink or red. It just feels very inflamed. I wash my hair every day and use Ketaconazole pretty much every day. I've noticed that a hot blow dryer seems to calm things down too. 

My dermatologist has guessed (his term) at seborrheic dermatitis. I really need more help than I'm getting. 

Thank you to everybody! Carolyn 

[Scott Adams]

I think it couldn't hurt for you to be sure that your diet is 100% gluten-free with zero cross-contamination for a couple of months to see if that helps. If you're eating out you're likely getting some level of gluten in your diet. It's hard, but at least this would help you determine if gluten is the culprit.

[Morgan Tiernan]

Hi there!

This is something I’ve often wondered too!

I’m still going through the process of getting an official dermatitis herpetiformis diagnosis, however I’ve been battling for 3 years and the dermatologists are pretty certain it’s dermatitis herpetiformis/celiac disease with it’s classic appearance and symptoms (it’s nasty stuff!)

About 2 years ago before dermatitis herpetiformis was on the cards, I suffered with a terrible episode of seb dermatitis, it was absolutely everywhere and was probs left undiagnosed for months before I could get in with a dermatologist! I used ketaconazole and it seemed to do the trick. However, knowing what we do now, the dermatitis herpetiformis was definitely aggravating/causing this and I found that it was the use of too many steroid creams (they thought I had eczema) and heavy moisturisers bothering my dermatitis herpetiformis. 

Since being gluten free for a year, I haven’t really suffered with an episode of the seb dermatitis for a while. Just trying to navigate the dermatitis herpetiformis outbreaks now. 

But definitely feel there could be a correlation! 

[Scott Adams]

It is interesting that ketoconazole seemed to work for dermatitis herpetiformis symptoms, as it seems to be an anti-fungal medication. 

If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch: