Dandruff is a common scalp condition that is easy to hide for some, depending on your type of hair and its thickness. Facial dandruff, a form of seborrheic dermatitis, is not as easy to conceal. According to Medline Plus, facial dandruff is most common on the eyelids, lips, eyebrows and in the creases of your nose. There are certain factors which make you more susceptible to developing seborrheic dermatitis. However, there are treatments available for facial dandruff, as well as techniques you can use to help prevent its occurrence.
Symptoms
Facial dandruff is characterized by oily, red, dry and scaly patches. The redness is attributed to skin inflammation. The scales themselves may even have a yellowish appearance. Although the patches appear dry to the scales, they are in fact oily to the touch. Medline Plus explains that the patches tend to be large.
Causes
Seborrheic dermatitis is attributed to two main causes. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, or AAFP, a naturally occurring skin yeast malassezia leads to inflammation associated with dandruff when it multiplies in a mass quantity. The over-production of oil in your skin pores is the other cause of dandruff. This can occur if you have oily skin, but especially if you do not wash your face regularly. Failure to wash the skin results in a build-up of oil. Washing your face too often can also cause problems, especially if you use products that contain alcohol.
Risk Factors
According to Medline Plus, seborrheic dermatitis is also hereditary. Infants that have seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp, a condition called cradle cap, are more susceptible to facial dandruff. Also, certain health conditions can cause seborrheic dermatitis, including HIV, Parkinson's disease, obesity and stroke, as reported by Medline Plus.
Prevention
Medline Plus advocates the prevention of excess oil as well as effective skin care as your best defense against the accumulation of facial dandruff. Wash your face daily and be proactive in treating dry patches as they arise. Try not to scratch the affected areas, as this can lead to infection. Seborrheic dermatitis is generally a life-long condition that causes periodic flare-ups.
Treatment
The AAFP recommends cleansing spots on your face with an antidandruff shampoo such as Selsun Blue or Head and Shoulders. Use these two to three times a week until the patches clear up. Follow with an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. If over-the-counter treatment fails, see your doctor for a prescription cream. The AAFP recommends ketoconazole two percent cream, which is applied to the face twice a day. Contact your pediatrician before treating facial dandruff in infants.
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