Introduction: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a common skin disease, where its signs and symptoms may differ according to skin color, associated medical conditions, environmental factors, and vehicle preference. Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition in infants, adolescents and adults, characterized by scaling, erythema and itching, especially on the scalp, face, chest, back, armpits and groin. Objective: to detail the current information related to seborrheic dermatitis, etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, histopathology, clinical presentation, evaluation, differential diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Methodology: a total of 29 articles were analyzed in this review, including review and original articles, as well as clinical cases, of which 23 bibliographies were used because the other articles were not relevant for this study. The sources of information were PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane; the terms used to search for information in Spanish, Portuguese and English were: sebopsoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, seborrheic eczema, dandruff and pityriasis capitis. Results: The most relevant results indicate that seborrheic dermatitis has a significant global prevalence, affecting up to 5% of the population, with a higher incidence in individuals with HIV-AIDS. Its pathogenesis has been identified as involving a combination of factors, including Malassezia spp. colonization of the skin, alteration of the cutaneous microbiota and a deregulated immune response. The most effective treatments are topical, particularly antifungal agents such as ketoconazole and low potency corticosteroids, although treatment should be tailored to the individual characteristics of each patient. Despite being a chronic disease in many cases, early diagnosis and proper management allow control of symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients. Conclusions: Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin disease, with significant prevalence in various ages and groups, especially in people with HIV-AIDS. Its pathogenesis involves factors such as colonization by Malassezia spp, alterations in the cutaneous microbiota and immune dysregulation. Although it may be self-limiting in some cases, in others it presents a chronic course with relapses. The most effective treatment includes topical antifungal and anti-inflammatory agents, adapted to the severity and location of the lesions. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are key to control symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients. KEY WORDS: dermatitis, seborrheic, eczema, skin.
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