Scalp Psoriasis vs. Seb Derm vs. Dandruff - What’s the Difference?
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When I first started dealing with scalp issues, I had no idea what was going on. I just knew I had flakes, itching, redness, and a constant sense that my scalp was working against me.
For years, I was stuck between Google searches, dermatologist visits, and trial and error. I kept asking myself, “Do I just have dandruff? Is this something more serious?”
If you’re asking the same thing, I see you. Let’s break it down in simple words.
Dandruff: The Common One
Dandruff is the most common of the three. It's usually caused by a yeast called Malassezia, which naturally lives on everyone's scalp. For some people (me included at first), this yeast can get out of balance and cause the scalp to shed skin faster than it should.
Typical dandruff symptoms:
- Flakes (dry or oily)
- Mild itching
- Slight scalp irritation but usually no major redness
It’s frustrating, but dandruff is often manageable with simple routine changes.
Seborrheic Dermatitis (Seb Derm): Dandruff’s More Intense Cousin
Seb Derm is like dandruff, but on steroids (no pun intended). It's also linked to the Malassezia yeast but triggers more inflammation. Some experts even consider it a mild form of eczema.
Symptoms can include:
- Red, inflamed patches
- Greasy or yellowish flakes
- Persistent itching and burning
For a while, I thought I had seb derm, and many people are told this when visiting dermatologists. The overlap between seb derm and scalp psoriasis is real, and sometimes it's hard to tell them apart.
Scalp Psoriasis: The Autoimmune One
This is the one I personally dealt with. Scalp psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, meaning your immune system is involved and triggers your skin to create new cells too fast, leading to buildup, flakes, and inflammation.
Common signs:
- Thick, silvery-white scales
- Red, inflamed skin underneath
- Pain, itching, sometimes even burning
- Hair thinning or hair loss in affected areas
What I learned the hard way is that this isn’t just a scalp problem, it’s an immune system issue.
Not Sure Which One You Have?
A great starting point is to read through the resources I linked above or check out more symptoms on:
Of course, I am not a doctor. This is not medical advice. If you’re unsure, always check with a dermatologist.
I’m just someone who has lived through this and knows how overwhelming it can be when you don't even know what you're dealing with.
What Helped Me
The biggest shift happened when I stopped treating the surface only.
I started focusing on:
- Calming inflammation from the inside
- Managing stress properly
- Cleaning up my diet (for real)
- Using our healing oil to support the process topically
- This combination made all the difference.
It wasn’t magic, nor a miracle cure but it worked for me.
My Honest Advice
Whether you’re facing dandruff, seb derm, or scalp psoriasis, don’t give up.
Be patient with yourself.
It might not heal overnight, but you can absolutely make progress.
If you ever feel lost, I hope our healing guide and our oil can be part of your toolkit.
Stay kind to yourself.
Anton