It is a very common condition with various causes. Along with the scalp, other areas may be involved such as: sides of the nose, eyebrows, behind the ears, eyes and back.
The most common causes are excess sebum (oil) production and overactivity of an organism called Malassezia. This organism is a normal part of our skin flora, but in times of stress and other factors, it becomes overactive and causes irritation and flaking of skin.
Conditions other than seborrheic dermatitis have to be diagnosed and treated accordingly.
When it comes to shampoos and lotions, it is very important to note that contact time is crucial to the efficacy of treatment. This means that patients should follow clear instructions about how much time to leave a particular product on.