Seborrheic dermatitis

Chronic inflammatory skin condition in areas with active sebaceous glands: scalp, face, upper trunk. Linked to Malassezia yeast activity and individual host response to its metabolites.

ICD-10 L211 drug

Also known as: Dandruff, Scalp seborrhea

Drugs used for this condition

AKetoconazoleFirst line · Systemic antimycotics. Imidazole derivativesTopical ketoconazole 2% shampoo or 2% cream is first-line therapy for seborrheic dermatitis and related dandruff. The 2015 Cochrane review confirmed shampoo efficacy versus placebo for remission of dandruff and pruritus. Shampoo is used twice weekly in the active phase, then once weekly for maintenance. Systemic absorption from topical use is minimal with no hepatotoxic risk.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit