Seborrheic Dermatitis (Kapalagata Roga)
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Seborrheic Dermatitis - Causes, Symptoms and Ayurvedic Treatment
Seborrheic Dermatitis (SD) and dandruff are of a continuous spectrum of the same disease that affects the seborrheic areas of the body. Dandruff is restricted to the scalp, and involves itchy, flaking skin without visible inflammation. Seborrheic Dermatitis can affect the scalp as well as other seborrheic areas, and involves itchy and flaking or scaling skin, inflammation, and pruritus. Various intrinsic and environmental factors, such as sebaceous secretions, skin surface fungal colonization, individual susceptibility, and interactions between these factors, all contribute to the pathogenesis of Seborrheic Dermatitis.
In Ayurveda, it can be correlated with Darunaka. It is a Kapalagata Roga (disease of scalp), but Acharya Sushruta has described this disease as a Kshudraroga (minor diseases) due to the vitiation of Vata and Kapha Doshas with symptoms like Kandu (itching on scalp), Keshachyuti (falling of hair), Swapa (abnormalities of touch sensation on scalp), Rookshata (roughness or dryness of the scalp) and Twaksphutana (breaking or cracking of the scalp skin).
Dr. Gupta’s IAFA successfully address this condition and provides very safe and effective treatment for Dandruff
Causes of Seborrheic Dermatitis
The definitive cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown. However, the proliferation of Malassezia species has been described as a contributing factor.
Ayurvedic Reference of Seborrheic Dermatitis (Kapalagata Roga)

Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis
Symptoms include,
- Skin flakes (dandruff) on your scalp, hair, eyebrows, beard or mustache
- Patches of greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales or crust on the scalp, face, sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids, chest, armpits, groin area or under the breasts
- Red skin
- Itching
- The signs and symptoms may be more severe if you’re stressed, and they tend to flare in cold, dry seasons.

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Diet Management in Seborrheic Dermatitis
Do’s (Pathya) in Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Food with good nutritive value; include fiber-rich foods, salads, fruits, and lentils.
- Adding coconut water to the diet and always using healthy fats like ghee in cooking is also recommended.
- Eating sweeter, juicy fresh fruits, cooked greens, and leafy green vegetables with a bitter taste will help in hair treatment.
- Fenugreek, turmeric and coriander, cumin, ghee, the oil will also help purify fat tissue and strengthen bone tissue.
Don’ts (Apathya) in Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Avoid using hot water for hair wash.
- Don’t apply heat and direct sunlight on the scalp
- Don’t comb your hair before getting dried after the wash.
- Avoid excess sugar, salt, dairy products, meat, acidic food
- Avoid spicy, fatty, hot, and penetrating foods, junk food, and aerated drinks
Yoga Therapy for Seborrheic Dermatitis
Postures include,
- Pashchimottanasana
- Adho Mukha Swanasana
- Chakrasana
- Sarvangasana
Pranayama include,
- Kapalbhati
- Nadishodhana Pranayama
- Bhastrika Pranayama
- Bhramari

Ayurvedic Treatment of Seborrheic Dermatitis
The Ayurvedic line of treatment is to normally modify doshas through internal medicines, diet, and lifestyle management along with Panchakarma therapy. Some special herbs are administered to purify the body of accumulated digestive impurities.
Internal Medicines for Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Panchatiktaka Kashaya
- Manjishthadi Kashaya
- Mahatiktaka Kashaya
- Arogyavardhini Vati
- Triphala Rasayana
- Triphala churna
- Yashti churna
- Saptamrita loha
- Chandanasava
- Bhringaraja Taila
- Triphaladya Taila
- Brahmi Taila
- Malathyadi Keram
- Durdurapatradi Keram
External therapies for Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Snehana (Massage)
Purificatory Therapies
- Raktamokshana: Bloodletting therapy with Jalaukavacharan
- Nasya (nasal instillation of medicine)
Single Herbs Used in Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
- Bhringaraj (Eclipta alba)
- Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)
References
- Sushrutha Samhita Nidana Sthana, Chapter 13, Kshudraroga Nidana, Sloka 34.
- Govind Das. Bhaisajya Ratnavali. Prof. Siddhinandan Mishra., editor. Kushtharogadhikara -54/64, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Prakashan; 2015. p. 866.
- Bhava Mishra. Bhavaprakash Nighantu. Chunekar KC editor.Haritakyadi Varga/43, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; 2013. p. 12.
- Chandrabhushan Jha. Ayurvediya Rasa Shastra. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Surabharati Prakashan; 2015. p. 449.
- Sahil Gupta, Ayurvedic Aspects of Allergies and Fungal Infections, Edition 2021, Seborrheic Dermatitis Chapter No. 40, Page No. 239-244.
Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)