Why Do I Have Dandruff on My Eyebrows? Explaining Seborrheic Dermatitis

What it sounds like, eyebrow dandruff is flaky skin and irritation of the eyebrows. Your brows may flake due to a number of different factors. But most often, individuals are referring to a widespread ailment known as “seborrheic dermatitis,” which also results in dandruff.

Here, we’ll go over the several factors that contribute to eyebrow dandruff as well as what you can do to manage your symptoms.

What Is Dandruff on the Brows?

A manifestation of seborrheic dermatitis is brow dandruff. Dandruff and greasy, scaly, and irritated skin areas are just a few of its symptoms. It is frequently referred to as “cradle cap” in infants.

Despite its name, dandruff on the eyebrows is distinct from that on the scalp. Pityriasis capitis, another name for dandruff, is a skin condition that solely affects the scalp and doesn’t inflame the skin. Despite this, these ailments have comparable causes and react to the same medications.

Why Do Eyebrows Get Dandruff?

Eyebrow dandruff is most frequently caused by seborrheic dermatitis. However, there are a few additional reasons as well.

Let’s examine each of them more closely.

Dermatitis Seborrheica

All ages are susceptible to seborrheic dermatitis, which is a very prevalent skin disorder. Scalp dandruff is a symptom of seborrheic dermatitis that is mild. Some folks will also discover their brows are flaking.

Seborrheic dermatitis in its most severe variants results in greasy scale-covered itching skin regions. It also appears differently on various skin tones. Seborrheic dermatitis frequently appears as red areas on skin with lighter tones. It could appear as lighter areas on skin with darker tones.

Typically, seborrheic dermatitis develops in regions with a high density of oil glands. These regions consist of the:

Body Parts:

• Scalp.
• Face, including brows and beard.
• Chest.
• Back.
• Armpits.
• Groin.

Although the exact etiology of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, Malassezia, a type of yeast that normally grows on human skin, is thought to be the main culprit.

Eczema

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin disorder that results in flaky, red skin patches all over the body. Although adults can also contract it, children and teenagers are more likely to do so. Although dry eyebrows are one sign of eczema, they are not the only one.

Psoriasis

An autoimmune illness known as psoriasis makes your skin grow out of control. It results in thick skin patches that are irritating, itchy, and red. Psoriasis can appear anywhere on your body, although it typically appears on your scalp, knees, and elbows. Your brows may become flaky and affected by psoriasis if you have it.

Dermatitis From Contact

A skin reaction called contact dermatitis is brought on by an allergy or sensitivity to chemicals in cosmetics like creams or shampoos. A red, scaly skin rash is another side effect. It might be to blame if your eyebrows start flaking after applying a new product. Your symptoms should become better if you stop using the medication.

Dry Skin

When your skin loses too much moisture, it becomes dry. Dry skin doesn’t result in skin redness under the brows or oily accumulation around the hair, unlike seborrheic dermatitis. In contrast to actual eyebrow dandruff, it is also more prone to alter with the weather and respond to moisturizers.

Eyebrow Seborrheic Dermatitis Signs and Symptoms

There are some signs that increase the likelihood that seborrheic dermatitis is the root cause of your eyebrow dandruff, such as:

• Dandruff.
• SItching.
• Slick, flaky, and yellowish scales.
• A rosy hue beneath the scales.
• A rash that resembles it on your face, scalp, chest, back, or in your skin folds.
• Recurring brow dandruff for a long period of time.

Treatments for Dandruff on the Brows

Although there is no known treatment for eyebrow seborrheic dermatitis, the symptoms can undoubtedly be managed. For most people, over-the-counter medicines are effective. You could require a medication with a prescription strength if your symptoms are more severe.

Remember that most patients require ongoing, consistent treatment. Once or twice a week is frequently sufficient to keep the symptoms at bay. But every one is unique. To find the one that works best for you, you might need to experiment with a few different combinations.

Solutions Available Without a Prescription for Brow Dandruff

The primary method for treating eyebrow dandruff is with over-the-counter dandruff shampoos.

Look for shampoos with the following active components:

• Selenium sulfide shampoos include Selsan Blue and Head and Shoulders Clinical Strength, to name a couple.
• Pyrithione zinc: Head and Shoulders, Solimo, and Vanicream Free & Clear are shampoos that include pyrithione zinc.
• Ketoconazole%1: This substance is present in medications like Nizoral A-D.
• Coal tar: A couple of examples of coal tar shampoos are True + Real T Plus and DHS Tar.
• Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is a common ingredient in many products and can be used to treat dandruff on the eyebrows.
• Salicylic acid: Symptoms of eyebrow dandruff can be treated using shampoos that contain salicylic acid.

Prescriptions for Brow Dandruff Remedies

If over-the-counter remedies don’t help, your doctor could advise using prescription-strength shampoos, particularly if you also have scalp dandruff that needs to be treated. The best outcomes can occasionally be obtained by switching up your therapies.

• Antifungal shampoos, such as ciclopirox (Loprox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral), can be used once or twice a week for maintenance after your symptoms start to get better.
• Shampoos containing selenium sulfide (Selseb): Using this shampoo twice weekly for two weeks is advised as a therapy.
• Shampoos containing steroids, such as fluocinolone (Capex) and betamethasone (Luxiq): Skin thinning is one of the negative effects of steroids. To keep your symptoms under control, they should only be taken for a brief length of time, such as two weeks. You can then use various medicated shampoos to maintain your hair after this.

Is It Okay to Apply Head & Shoulders to My Brows?

Yes! On your brows, you can use Head & Shoulders. The selenium sulfide in it can be used to treat seborrheic dermatitis.

Leave the shampoo on your eyebrows for a few minutes before rinsing it off if there is significant flaking. Keep it out of your eyes. Wash your eyes with water if that occurs.

Is It Acceptable to Use Makeup Over Psoriasis or Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Yes, a thin layer of non-comedogenic makeup is acceptable as long as it doesn’t clog your pores. Just be sure to use a mild cleanser to wash it off at night. Apply any prescription creams you use before bed after that.

Advice for Avoiding Eyebrow Dandruff

Following are some suggestions that may be helpful if you discover that you are prone to brow dandruff:

• Use a prescription shampoo every day until your symptoms subside. Try using them once or twice a week after that to manage symptoms.
• Discover the therapies that are effective for you. To avoid any additional eyebrow flaking, keep them on hand.
• Use a mild cleanser to wash your skin. Your skin is less likely to become irritated by gentle cleansers.
• After washing, moisturize, especially if you have dry skin. Hot water can dry out your skin when you shower, bathe, or wash your face. Following a shower, moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated and stop further flakes.
• Remove the scaly buildup before it begins to flake. Scales can be loosened by using mineral oil and allowing it to sit. Once they are free, it is simple to remove them with a fast comb and wash.
• Use hair and skin products with caution. The components in many hair and skin care products can be harsh on your skin and lead to inflammation and redness.

The Conclusion

Both eyebrow dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis are typically chronic diseases. But you’re not by yourself. To control it, a variety of treatments are available. So you can lessen the negative effects seborrheic dandruff has on your life with a little perseverance.