The causes of seborrheic dermatitis can be hard to pin down, but what does it have to do with fungus?!

Well, there is definitely an association between seborrheic dermatitis and fungal infections. It turns out that a yeast that grows naturally on the skin (called malassezia) can be troublesome in combination with a predisposition towards overproduction of sebum and inflammatory triggers.

Not all cases of seborrheic dermatitis are triggered or aggravated by malassezia, and not all fungal infections are seborrheic dermatitis, but the two are linked.

There’s also a link with bacteria such as staph and strep, organisms that might usually occur on the skin without causing a problem, but are more likely to be over-abundant in conjunction with seborrheic dermatitis.

So although the condition is not strictly speaking caused by a fungus, a fungus can certainly aggravate the condition, causing more itchiness and inflammation to skin that is already scaly and inflamed. That is why it’s usual to treat scalps affected by seborrheic dermatitis with products that can manage the yeast infection, as well as nourish and hydrate the scalp.

Recommended products:

Balmonds Natural Shampoo & Body Wash with calendula & honeysuckle (£19 for 200ml)

Balmonds Scalp Oil with tea tree, rosemary & nettle (£14.99 for 50ml)

Balmonds Skin Salvation with beeswax & hemp (from £7.99 for 30ml)

Skin Salvation ointment is a good emollient to keep itchy or flaky skin soft and hydrated, and contains nourishing oils to support the skin’s natural cycle of repair and regeneration. It's a good choice for when seborrheic dermatitis flares up around the hairline, on the chin, back and chest.

Leaving Balmonds Scalp Oil on overnight will soften scaly scalps, and give the skin an intensive moisturising treatment. In the morning, you can use a fine tooth comb to remove flakes and then finish off with a natural, fragrance and SLS-free shampoo, such as Balmonds Natural Shampoo & Body Wash.