Does Seborrheic Dermatitis Stop Hair Growth?|Should You Wash Your Hair Everyday If You Have Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a severe or chronic condition of the skin that affects the sensitive skin of your scalp and results in loss of hair, especially in more extreme cases.⁽¹⁾

In this article we will talk about whether seborrheic dermatitis stops hair growth and also know if you should wash your hair everyday if you have Seborrheic dermatitis.

Seborrheic dermatitis usually affects the skin of your scalp. Generally, the symptoms are similar to dandruff and include flakes, redness and itching. It can be said that Seborrheic dermatitis is an extreme form of dandruff, and it has more severe symptoms, such as heavier flaking, oily scales, yellowish or white scales and inflamed areas on your scalp.⁽²⁾

Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory condition that results in overproduction of thick sebum, which is an oily secretion produced by the sebaceous glands. Seborrheic dermatitis usually does not cause hair loss. But, excess of scratching of the scalp because of Seborrheic dermatitis can injure the hair follicles and this can in turn result in hair loss.⁽³⁾ Though hair loss might occur in some cases of Seborrheic dermatitis, this loss of hair is usually temporary.⁽⁴⁾ Seborrheic dermatitis does not stop hair growth. You hair grows back again once the inflammation from Seborrheic dermatitis is gone and you no more have itchy, flaky scalp or dandruff.

In order to care for the dandruff or the condition of Seborrheic dermatitis, you should wash your scalp, skin and hair every day.⁽⁵⁾ However, make sure you wash the face and your affected areas of the scalp very gently.⁽⁵⁾ We must mention that there is a buildup of the scales quite quickly and easily, if your scalp is not clean. So, in order to prevent this, you must shampoo or wash your hair every day. Make sure to use an anti-dandruff shampoo and allow it to rest on your scalp for at least 5 minutes before you rinse it off.

Once you find that dandruff is under control or the inflammation of seborrheic dermatitis is gone, you may alternate the anti-dandruff shampoo with your regular shampoo and can wash your hair every alternate day with the anti-dandruff shampoo.⁽⁵⁾

Apart from washing your hair every day, it is also advisable to remain outside in sunlight whenever possible, as sunlight helps in reducing flare-ups of Seborrheic dermatitis.⁽⁵⁾ However, ensure that you wear sunscreen while you are outdoors.

So, seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory condition that generally affects the scalp. Though at times it might cause minor temporary hair loss, hair begins to grow back once the inflammation from Seborrheic dermatitis is treated with appropriate treatments. So, make sure that you make an appointment with your dermatologist if you have seborrheic dermatitis. Your doctor would help you with the best treatment plan for your condition and also help you prevent severe hair loss caused by seborrheic dermatitis.

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• Seborrheic Dermatitis or Seborrheic Eczema: Causes, Signs, Symptoms, Treatment, Remedies
• What Vitamin Deficiency Causes Seborrheic Dermatitis & How To Get Rid of It?