Print Print
CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis - Management
Topical corticosteroid + topical antifungal

Age from 1 year onwards
Multi-therapy: Ketoconazole shampoo + betamethasone scalp application
Ketoconazole 2% shampoo: use twice a week
Ketoconazole 2% shampoo
Apply to the affected area twice a WEEK for 2 to 4 weeks until symptoms have cleared.
Supply 120 ml.
Age: from 1 year onwards
NHS cost: £4.66
OTC cost: £8.35
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: Wet hair thoroughly and massage a small amount of ketoconazole shampoo into the affected area. Leave for 3-5 minutes then rinse thoroughly. Do not use more often than directed. If you need to shampoo your hair more often, use your normal shampoo. If your hair is very thick or long use your normal shampoo before using ketoconazole.
Betamethasone 0.1% scalp application: use twice a day
Betamethasone valerate 0.1% scalp application
Apply thinly to dry hair in the morning and at night. As your symptoms improve, this can be reduced.
Supply 100 ml.
Age: from 1 year onwards
NHS cost: £3.92
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: Cover the area with a thin layer and massage in gently. Allow hair to dry naturally. Wash your hands after using this lotion. Use this scalp lotion until symptoms start to improve, do not use for longer than 7 days for a child.
Multi-therapy: Ketoconazole shampoo + mometasone scalp lotion
Ketoconazole 2% shampoo: use twice a week
Ketoconazole 2% shampoo
Apply to the affected area twice a WEEK for 2 to 4 weeks until symptoms have cleared.
Supply 120 ml.
Age: from 1 year onwards
NHS cost: £4.66
OTC cost: £8.35
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: Wet hair thoroughly and massage a small amount of ketoconazole shampoo into the affected area. Leave for 3-5 minutes then rinse thoroughly. Do not use more often than directed. If you need to shampoo your hair more often, use your normal shampoo. If your hair is very thick or long use your normal shampoo before using ketoconazole.
Mometasone 0.1% scalp lotion: use once a day
Mometasone 0.1% scalp lotion
Apply a few drops to the affected area(s) of the scalp once a day. Massage in gently and thoroughly until the lotion disappears.
Supply 30 ml.
Age: from 1 year onwards
NHS cost: £4.54
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: Wash your hands after using this lotion. Use this scalp lotion until symptoms start to improve, do not use for longer than 5 days for a child.
Multi-therapy: Ketoconazole shampoo + hydrocortisone butyrate scalp application
Ketoconazole 2% shampoo: use twice a week
Ketoconazole 2% shampoo
Apply to the affected area twice a WEEK for 2 to 4 weeks until symptoms have cleared.
Supply 120 ml.
Age: from 1 year onwards
NHS cost: £4.66
OTC cost: £8.35
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: Wet hair thoroughly and massage a small amount of ketoconazole shampoo into the affected area. Leave for 3-5 minutes then rinse thoroughly. Do not use more often than directed. If you need to shampoo your hair more often, use your normal shampoo. If your hair is very thick or long use your normal shampoo before using ketoconazole.
Hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% scalp lotion: use twice a day
Hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% scalp lotion
Apply thinly to dry hair in the morning and at night. As your symptoms improve, this can be reduced.
Supply 100 ml.
Age: from 1 year onwards
NHS cost: £9.76
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: Cover the area with a thin layer and massage in gently. Allow hair to dry naturally. Wash your hands after using this lotion. Use this scalp lotion until symptoms start to improve, do not use for longer than 7 days for a child.
Age from 5 years onwards
Multi-therapy: Selenium shampoo + betamethasone scalp application
Selenium sulphide 2.5% shampoo: use twice a week
Selenium sulphide 2.5% shampoo
Apply twice weekly for 2 weeks, then once weekly for 2 weeks, and then as necessary.
Supply 100 ml.
Age: from 5 years onwards
NHS cost: £1.96
OTC cost: £3.45
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: Wet the hair then massage selenium sulphide into the affected area to form a lather. Leave for 3 minutes then rinse thoroughly and repeat. If you need to shampoo your hair more often than twice a week, use your normal shampoo. Avoid using 48 hours before or after applying hair colouring, straightening, or waving preparations.
Betamethasone 0.1% scalp application: use twice a day
Betamethasone valerate 0.1% scalp application
Apply thinly to dry hair in the morning and at night. As your symptoms improve, this can be reduced.
Supply 100 ml.
Age: from 1 year onwards
NHS cost: £3.92
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: Cover the area with a thin layer and massage in gently. Allow hair to dry naturally. Wash your hands after using this lotion. Use this scalp lotion until symptoms start to improve, do not use for longer than 7 days for a child.
Multi-therapy: Selenium shampoo + mometasone scalp application
Selenium sulphide 2.5% shampoo: use twice a week
Selenium sulphide 2.5% shampoo
Apply twice weekly for 2 weeks, then once weekly for 2 weeks, and then as necessary.
Supply 100 ml.
Age: from 5 years onwards
NHS cost: £1.96
OTC cost: £3.45
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: Wet the hair then massage selenium sulphide into the affected area to form a lather. Leave for 3 minutes then rinse thoroughly and repeat. If you need to shampoo your hair more often than twice a week, use your normal shampoo. Avoid using 48 hours before or after applying hair colouring, straightening, or waving preparations.
Mometasone 0.1% scalp lotion: use once a day
Mometasone 0.1% scalp lotion
Apply a few drops to the affected area(s) of the scalp once a day. Massage in gently and thoroughly until the lotion disappears.
Supply 30 ml.
Age: from 1 year onwards
NHS cost: £4.54
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: Wash your hands after using this lotion. Use this scalp lotion until symptoms start to improve, do not use for longer than 5 days for a child.
Multi-therapy: Selenium shampoo + hydrocortisone butyrate scalp application
Selenium sulphide 2.5% shampoo: use twice a week
Selenium sulphide 2.5% shampoo
Apply twice weekly for 2 weeks, then once weekly for 2 weeks, and then as necessary.
Supply 100 ml.
Age: from 5 years onwards
NHS cost: £1.96
OTC cost: £3.45
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: Wet the hair then massage selenium sulphide into the affected area to form a lather. Leave for 3 minutes then rinse thoroughly and repeat. If you need to shampoo your hair more often than twice a week, use your normal shampoo. Avoid using 48 hours before or after applying hair colouring, straightening, or waving preparations.
Hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% scalp lotion: use twice a day
Hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% scalp lotion
Apply thinly to dry hair in the morning and at night. As your symptoms improve, this can be reduced.
Supply 100 ml.
Age: from 1 year onwards
NHS cost: £9.76
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: Cover the area with a thin layer and massage in gently. Allow hair to dry naturally. Wash your hands after using this lotion. Use this scalp lotion until symptoms start to improve, do not use for longer than 7 days for a child.

© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement