If you have dandruff during your pregnancy, you may find that you need to use a shampoo containing selenium sulfide. Selenium sulfide is a common treatment for dandruff, but you should learn more about it and speak with your doctor to determine if it is safe for you to use while you are expecting. Selenium sulfide is also used to treat a skin condition called tinea versicolor, which is not a side effect of pregnancy, but can occur while you are expecting. You should only use the mediation for tinea versicolor with the approval of your doctor.
Uses
The most common use for selenium sulfide is as a treatment for dandruff, which is characterized by a dry, flaky scalp that leaves small white specks on your clothes and in your hair. Selenium sulfide is also used topically to treat tinea versicolor, a skin condition that occurs when the yeast living on your skin begin to grow more rapidly and out of control. Tinea versicolor is common and is not harmful or contagious, but you will likely need to treat it with something other than selenium sulfide if you are pregnant.
Pregnancy
If you notice white specks in your hair or on your clothes during your pregnancy, there are shampoos that are safe to use for dandruff. Drugs.com notes that using shampoos that contain selenium sulfide is considered safe during pregnancy as long as you use them only on your hair and scalp. Selenium sulfide has not been shown to cause birth defects if you use the shampoo according to the directions.
Cautions
Selenium sulfide has been given a Category C rating by the Food and Drug Administration, which means that the drug may pose a danger to your unborn baby, but research has not proven this. If you use selenium sulfide on your scalp to treat dandruff, you are unlikely to experience side effects. If you lather your hair quickly and rinse well, the selenium sulfide is unlikely to absorb into your scalp, making it safe for you to use. Do not use selenium sulfide on any other part of your body to treat tinea versicolor because it can be absorbed into your skin and may pose a danger to your unborn baby. This may occur because you apply it directly to your skin and leave it on for several minutes before rinsing it off.
Tips
If you have to use selenium sulfide shampoo, do so only twice a week, and leave the shampoo on your hair for only 2 to 3 minutes. If you use the stronger solution, use it twice a week for two weeks, then use once a week or less after that. Use only 1 to 2 tsp. of selenium sulfide shampoo to keep exposure as low as possible. Rinse the shampoo completely from your hair, and wash your hands when you are finished. Do not use the shampoo if you have an open sore on your scalp.
References
- Drugs.com: Selenium Sulfide
- "Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice: A Practical Approach"; Virginia Poole Arcangelo and Andrew M. Peterson; 2006
- American Pregnancy Association; FDA Drug Category Ratings; June 2006
- American Academy of Dermatology: Tinea Versicolor
