Skin conditions
Seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff)
Persistent flaking that regular shampoo cannot touch is often seborrheic dermatitis, a condition Ontario pharmacists can now assess and treat. At Murray Shore Pharmacy on Bathurst Street in North York, we look beyond the scalp, since this condition also shows up on the eyebrows, the sides of the nose, and behind the ears, and build a routine that actually fits your hair and habits.
Common signs
- White or yellowish flakes on the scalp, hair, shoulders, or beard
- Greasy patches of skin topped with scale, not just dry flaking
- Itching that ranges from mild to maddening
- Redness or scaling along the eyebrows, the creases beside the nose, or behind the ears
- Symptoms that flare in winter or with stress and settle in summer
See a doctor instead if
- Thick, sharply bordered plaques with silvery scale, which suggest psoriasis rather than dandruff
- Weeping, crusting, or signs of infection on the scalp
- Significant hair loss in the flaking areas
- Facial rash with joint pain or fatigue, which needs physician investigation
- Severe scaling in an infant beyond typical cradle cap, or symptoms in someone with a weakened immune system
Any of these sound like you? Call 416-789-1800 and we will point you the right way — or reach Health811 (opens in a new tab) by calling 811.
How the assessment works
The pharmacist examines the areas involved, distinguishes seborrheic dermatitis from psoriasis, simple dry scalp, and fungal scalp infection, and asks about your current hair routine. A medicated shampoo or topical treatment may be prescribed where appropriate, with realistic instructions on contact time and frequency, which is where most self-treatment quietly fails. OHIP covers the assessment with a valid card.
Sources 1, 2Three ways to get started. Do it all from home, or come in.
Start online from your phone, call us, or walk in and ask for the pharmacist. No appointment is needed. When you start online, a pharmacist calls or messages you back to finish the assessment. Prefer email? Write to us.
Frequently asked questions
Plain answers from the pharmacy team. Tap a question to open it.
I already tried a dandruff shampoo from the shelf. Why see a pharmacist?
Often the product was fine but the technique was not: medicated shampoos need to sit on the scalp for several minutes, and different active ingredients suit different scalps. The assessment sorts out whether you need a different ingredient, a different method, or a prescription-strength option.
Is dandruff the same thing as seborrheic dermatitis?
Dandruff is the mild, scalp-only end of the same condition. When there is visible redness and greasy scale, or it involves the face and ears, it is called seborrheic dermatitis, and that fuller picture is what the pharmacist assesses.
Can this be assessed for my teenager?
Yes. Seborrheic dermatitis is common from the teen years onward. Teens can be assessed at the pharmacy, and it is a quick, private conversation.
My flaking is in my beard. Is that still covered?
Yes, the beard area, eyebrows, and the folds beside the nose are classic sites. The pharmacist assesses those the same way as the scalp under the minor ailment program.
Will it come back after treatment?
Seborrheic dermatitis tends to be a recurring condition that is controlled rather than permanently cured, which is why the pharmacist sets you up with a maintenance routine, not just a one-time fix.
Do I need an appointment?
No, walk in to 3537 Bathurst Street during pharmacy hours, or call 416-789-1800 to arrange a time that suits you.
Is the assessment covered by OHIP?
Yes, with a valid Ontario health card the assessment costs you nothing. You pay only for products you decide to purchase.
What should I bring to the assessment?
Your health card and the shampoos or treatments you have already tried, or at least their names. Knowing which ingredients you have used, and how, shapes what the pharmacist suggests next.
Could my flaking be eczema or psoriasis instead?
Possibly, and telling them apart is a core part of the assessment. Thick plaques with silvery scale suggest psoriasis, which is referred, while eczema is a separate condition a pharmacist can assess; see our eczema and dermatitis page.
How do I keep flare-ups down once it is controlled?
Most people settle into a maintenance rhythm, using their medicated routine less often once things calm down. Winter dryness and stress are common triggers, so expect to step things up seasonally, and the pharmacist will map that out with you.
Does seborrheic dermatitis affect older adults?
Yes, it is common in later adulthood, not just the teen years. Seniors on multiple medications or with certain health conditions can see more stubborn symptoms, which is exactly the kind of detail the assessment takes into account.
Sources & further reading
Numbered references, linked from the sections above.
Your pharmacist is one call away.
416-789-1800 Call nowPrefer not to call? Email info@murrayshore.com or visit us at Bathurst & Baycrest.