Current Understanding of Seborrheic Dermatitis: Treatment Options

Abstract

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects areas with a high density of sebaceous glands, such as the scalp, face, central anterior trunk, and body folds. While the exact pathophysiology of seborrheic dermatitis is not fully understood, it is believed to involve a combination of microbial dysbiosis, immune imbalance, and skin barrier dysfunction. Effective management of seborrheic dermatitis includes treatments that reduce Malassezia yeast colonization, control inflammation, normalize skin barrier dysfunction, and regulate sebum production. Topical therapies, including antifungals and anti-inflammatory agents such as corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, are the mainstay of treatment of mild-to-moderate seborrheic dermatitis. Systemic therapies are reserved for severe or resistant seborrheic dermatitis cases. The recent development of new treatments, such as the topical phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor (roflumilast 0.3% foam), shows promise in providing effective, noncorticosteroid options for seborrheic dermatitis management. This review provides an overview of current, as well as emerging therapeutic options, and discusses the importance of personalized treatment strategies in managing seborrheic dermatitis. This is the third in a series of 3 reviews, each addressing different aspects of seborrheic dermatitis, including its epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment considerations.

Keywords: emerging therapies; seborrheic dermatitis; systemic therapies; topical therapies.