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Selenium sulphide is a selenium salt that exists as a yellow-orange to bright-orange tablet or powder at room temperature. It is insoluble in water or ether and soluble in carbon disulphide. It is incompatible with acids, metals, strong oxidising agents, chromium trioxide, potassium bromate, silver oxide, and ammonia. Selenium sulphide is used as an active ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos and as a constituent of fungicides.
Selenium sulphide is an anti-fungal agent as well as a cytostatic agent, slowing the growth of hyperproliferative cells in seborrhoea. Selenium sulphide is the active ingredient often used in shampoos for the treatment of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and tinea capitis, a fungal infection that is primarily a disease of preadolescent children. Selenium sulphide is highly active in inhibiting the growth of P. ovale. It is also a proven cytostatic agent, slowing the growth of both hyperproliferative and normal cells in dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. A 0.6% micronised form of selenium sulphide is also safe and effective for dandruff. Selenium sulphide is not present in foods and is a very different chemical from the organic and inorganic selenium compounds found in foods and in the environment.

Confirmed carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic data. Poison by ingestion. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of SO, and Se. See also SELENIUM COMPOUNDS and SULFIDES.