Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Prognosis
Eyebrow dandruff is flaky skin that sheds from the eyebrows. There are several possible causes of eyebrow dandruff, one of the most common ones beingseborrheic dermatitis. This form of eczema typically affects the scalp and other oily areas of the body.
Along with eyebrow dandruff, there can be a rash, itchiness, greasy scales, or inflammation in the eyebrow area. Depending on the cause, treatment may involve over-the-counter or prescription medications.
This article focuses on the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and prognosis of eyebrow dandruff.
Sergey Dogadin / Getty Images
Symptoms of Eyebrow Dandruff
The symptoms of eyebrow dandruff may include:
Additionally, seborrheic dermatitis can cause a similar rash to form on other parts of the body where there are many oil glands, such as the back of the neck, the upper chest, and the face, eyebrows included. These rashes may come and go, sometimes over the course of years.
Just like scalp dandruff, exactly how eyebrow dandruff forms is not well understood. It is thought to be linked with an increase in oil from the sebaceous glands, which reside in the hair follicles.
As the oil production increases, so doesMalasseziayeast, a type of yeast that naturally resides on the skin. This feeds off sebaceous oil and can wreak havoc with the skin, causing irritation and even an allergic reaction that can lead to inflammation.
Seborrheic dermatitis is the most common cause of eyebrow dandruff, but there are several other conditions can also result in it, including:
Eyebrow dandruff can often be diagnosed during a physical examination. Your healthcare provider will evaluate the appearance of your eyebrow skin and gather information about your current symptoms.
It’s unusual to require a lab test to diagnose eyebrow dandruff. In some instances, however, your healthcare provider may perform a skin biopsy if your eyebrow dandruff is not getting better with treatment.
Eyebrow Dandruff Treatment
Once your healthcare provider determines the cause of your eyebrow dandruff, they will be able to recommend treatment options.
Over-the-Counter Medication
When eyebrow dandruff is mild to moderate, it can usually be treated at home, using an over-the-counter type of medicated dandruff shampoo. These shampoos contain medication—such as zinc pyrithione—which helps loosen dandruff, making it easier to remove.
Note, there are many types of dandruff shampoos, each with different active ingredients. If one type of shampoo doesn’t work for you, try a different one, including those that have:
If your symptoms include redness or discoloration, irritation, and itchiness, over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream may help reduce these symptoms.
How to Get Eyebrows to Grow Back
Prescription Medication
If eyebrow dandruff symptoms are severe, your healthcare provider may order:
These preparations are essentially the same as the over-the-counter versions, but they have a higher concentration of medication.
Dandruff: How to Spot and Manage It
Tips for preventing eyebrow dandruff flare-ups include:
Dandruff—as well as the skin conditions that cause eyebrow dandruff—are chronic conditions. Treatment may help alleviate the symptoms, but it won’t cure the condition.
Eyebrow dandruff involves periods of flare-ups and remissions (when there are no symptoms). Flare-ups occur most commonly during the winter months or when a person experiences stress.
A Word From VerywellEyebrow dandruff, while not a major medical issue, can be both annoying and embarrassing. If the condition persists despite over-the-counter treatment, consult with your healthcare provider, who can diagnose the underlying problem and prescribe the proper medication and shampoo.—WILLIAM TRUSWELL, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Eyebrow dandruff, while not a major medical issue, can be both annoying and embarrassing. If the condition persists despite over-the-counter treatment, consult with your healthcare provider, who can diagnose the underlying problem and prescribe the proper medication and shampoo.—WILLIAM TRUSWELL, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Eyebrow dandruff, while not a major medical issue, can be both annoying and embarrassing. If the condition persists despite over-the-counter treatment, consult with your healthcare provider, who can diagnose the underlying problem and prescribe the proper medication and shampoo.
—WILLIAM TRUSWELL, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Borda L, Wikramanayake T.Seborrheic dermatitis, and dandruff: a comprehensive review.J Clin Investig Dermatol. 2015;3(2). doi:10.13188/2373-1044.1000019Kids Health.Dandruff.Cleveland Clinic.Seborrheic dermatitis.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Borda L, Wikramanayake T.Seborrheic dermatitis, and dandruff: a comprehensive review.J Clin Investig Dermatol. 2015;3(2). doi:10.13188/2373-1044.1000019Kids Health.Dandruff.Cleveland Clinic.Seborrheic dermatitis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Borda L, Wikramanayake T.Seborrheic dermatitis, and dandruff: a comprehensive review.J Clin Investig Dermatol. 2015;3(2). doi:10.13188/2373-1044.1000019Kids Health.Dandruff.Cleveland Clinic.Seborrheic dermatitis.
Borda L, Wikramanayake T.Seborrheic dermatitis, and dandruff: a comprehensive review.J Clin Investig Dermatol. 2015;3(2). doi:10.13188/2373-1044.1000019
Kids Health.Dandruff.
Cleveland Clinic.Seborrheic dermatitis.
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