When it comes to treating eczema on your scalp, it's important to make sure you're washing your hair with the right shampoo. According to board-certified dermatologist Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., F.A.A.D., with whom Elite Daily spoke with for this article, the best shampoos for eczema should contain one of the following ingredients: zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, or coal tar.
Dr. Robinson adds that atopic dermatitis, or eczema, can be associated with allergies and asthma, and is caused internally by our immune cells, so it's important to not only manage the condition with medicated shampoos (and taking showers with warm, not hot water) but also to determine your triggers so you can "establish a proactive, therapeutic treatment regimen to help avoid and/or diminish the degree of future flareups." Fragrances and sulfates are common irritants, as is alcohol, which can excessively dry out the scalp and lead to an overproduction of sebum, the doctor says. Since eczema is inflammatory, Dr. Robinson also advises avoiding foods that can cause inflammation, like alcohol, high glycemic carbs, and sugar, and whenever possible, trying to manage stress (another eczema trigger).
If you have any questions about what's causing your scalp to flare up, speak with your dermatologist to identify the best treatment for you, since there tends to be an overlap in symptoms associated with eczema, psoriasis, allergic contact dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis, Dr. Robinson says.
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