Though you may associate dandruff with the scalp, it can show up on other areas of the body. A condition called seborrheic dermatitis can cause dandruff in the eyebrows, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Having flaking skin falling from the eyebrows may be embarrassing and unsightly, but it isn't serious or contagious, and you can tamed it with simple treatments.
Symptoms
A tell-tale sign of dandruff in the eyebrows is skin scales, which may be white and flaky or yellowish and oily. Other possible signs in the affected area include greasy and oily skin, mild redness, skin lesions, plaques, itching and loss of hair, according to MedlinePlus.
Contributing Factors
Although no one knows exactly what causes facial dandruff, some factors can contribute to it. Linked factors include stress, fatigue, HIV/AIDS, seasonal change to winter, neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease and a fungus called malassezia growing on the skin, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Home Care
You may be able to reduce the severity of your condition if you treat your affected skin with care. For example, use a gentle facial cleanser rather than a harsh soap to wash your face and completely rinse off the suds before you dry your skin, doctors at the Mayo Clinic recommend. Also trim your nails, avoid scratching your eyebrows and cover the itchy skin with a dressing if you have trouble resisting the urge to scratch.
Getting Medical Help
Call your doctor if your eyebrow dandruff is persistent despite your best efforts to avoid irritating the skin. Also call if your affected skin forms crusts, drains fluid or becomes red or painful, MedlinePlus suggests. Eyebrow dandruff is generally simple for a doctor to diagnose by examining your affected skin and asking you questions about your symptoms. However, he may also perform tests such as a skin biopsy to confirm his diagnosis and rule out other potential culprits, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Treatment
The general aim of treatment for eyebrow dandruff is to reduce scaly buildup and reduce any inflammation. To achieve this, your doctor may recommend using an over-the-counter anti-itch or anti-fungal cream. If your eyebrow dandruff persists, your doctor may prescribe antifungal medications, topical corticosteroids or both, according to the Mayo Clinic. A common treatment course may be a daily skin application of desonide to reduce red, itchy and swelling skin and ketoconazole to treat a fungal infection, but you may also need a prescription oral antifungal medication such as terbinafide if you experience dandruff on large areas of your body, Mayo Clinic doctors say.
