Beard-ruff

Do you have flakes dusting your beard, along with an itchy rash, scaly skin, or greasy patches beneath your beard? You may have dandruff beneath your beard.

Board-certified dermatologist Ross Radusky, MD, FAAD, says seborrheic dermatitis, the medical name for dandruff, is incredibly common. Dr. Radusky recommends this three-step DIY approach to control dandruff beneath your beard and prevent it from returning.

1. Gently brush or comb your beard every day before you wash your face. This helps to gently lift the scale (skin that flakes off) and will help treatment work better.

2. Treat the rash and greasy patches with hydrocortisone 1% solution. You can buy this medication without a prescription.

   • For the first week: Dr. Radusky recommends that you “rub the medication into the skin beneath your beard, doing this every night before you go to bed.” For best results, apply the medication just after washing your face.

   • To keep the dandruff under control: Dr. Radusky recommends that you apply the 1% hydrocortisone solution once a week when your skin feels scaly. Again, apply it before you go to bed, after washing your face.

3. Shampoo your beard and scalp at least once a week with a dandruff shampoo. Dr. Radusky recommends using a dandruff shampoo that contains one of the following active ingredients:

   • 2% zinc pyrithione

   • 1% ketoconazole

   • 1% selenium sulfide

If you continue to have a rash after trying this DIY treatment, it’s time to see a dermatologist.