Selenium sulfide is a chemical agent used for treating dandruff. It is an antifungal agent that also relieves itching, flaking, scaling and dry skin on the scalp due to dandruff.
Selenium sulfide shampoos are used worldwide and are available in pharmacies. The most common brand is Selsun 2.5%, which is massaged into the scalp for 2-3 minutes before rinsing. Selenium sulfide shampoos shouldn’t be used on broken or inflamed skin and it is advised to speak to your doctor or pharmacist before use.
Selenium sulfide kills fungi or yeasts called dermatophytes. Overgrowth of these fungi on the skin causes seborrhoeic dermatitis, dandruff, and pityriasis versicolor. Selenium, sulfide shampoo reduces the numbers of these fungi on the skin and helps clear up the condition.

However, children under the age of 5 and people who are allergic to any ingredient in the shampoo shouldn’t us Selenium Sulfide.
Selenium Sulfide has side effects and they affect in different ways. The side effects include allergic reactions such as rash or hives, Oiliness or dryness of scalp and hair, blistering or the skin if the shampoo is left on the hair longer than the recommended time.
What are the side effects of selenium sulfide
Some of the signs of side effects of selenium sulfide are allergies, and some of the signs are:
- Hives
- Difficulty in breathing
- Swelling of your face
- Swelling of your Lips
- Swelling of your tongue
- Swelling of your throat
Not only the above can signs should you look at for, the are other severe and unusual which will need an emergency attention from your doctor. These severe signs include:
- Severe/unusual blistering
- Severe/unusual itching
- Severe/unusual redness
- Severe/unusual peeling
- Severe/unusual dryness
- Severe/unusual skin irritation
Selenium sulfide important information
There are some precautions to take while using selenium sulfide, they are:
Avoid contact with your nose, eyes, and mouth. If by any chance this happens, you should immediately rinse the area with water.
Avoid contact with selenium sulfide on the windburned, sunburned, chapped, broken and dry skin.
Avoid covering the area been treated with selenium sulfide with a bandage or any dressing, unless recommended by your doctor.
If dressing or covering has been recommended, then use a light cotton-gauze bandage instead.

You can wear loosely fitted cotton cloths just as you are under the treatment.
You should call your doctor and stop using selenium sulfide if you notice any, severe/unusual blistering, severe/unusual itching, severe/unusual redness, severe/unusual peeling, severe/unusual dryness, and severe/unusual skin irritation.
Use as directed, prescribe and on the label.
Use selenium sulfide with caution, do not over apply it, and do exceed the recommended period.
Before each use, shake very well.
You must properly wash your hands after each use.
Only use selenium sulfide for the amount of time prescribed or recommended.
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The medication should be stored at room temperature, away from heat, away from flame and do not tamper with
the can or alter the medication.
Do not apply in eyes, mouth, vagina nose and rectum.
Do not mix selenium sulfide with any other skin product unless told to do so by your doctor.
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