Dandruff
What is
it?
Dandruff is
scaly dry skin that forms on and flakes off the scalp.
Who gets
it?
Dandruff is
a common condition affecting millions of people, from
adolescence to adulthood. It is more common in men and
more likely to occur in people with oily skin,
Parkinson’s disease, and immunodeficiencies, as well
as those who don’t wash their hair often and those
undergoing illness, stress, or hormonal changes.
What
causes it?
Researchers
believe there may be a link to between dandruff and
certain types of fungus found in hair follicles. The
fungus is always present on a normal scalp. However,
sometimes it feeds on oils in the skin and gets out of
control, causing skin cells to reproduce faster than
usual. These new cells push to the surface quickly and
create a build up of dead skin cells, which flake off
and are more noticeable than when this process takes
place at a normal pace. Dandruff can be caused by a
skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis.
What are
the symptoms?
The
symptoms of dandruff are white, oily-looking patches
on the scalp, which flake off.
How is it
diagnosed?
In most
cases, dandruff does not require a doctor’s diagnosis.
However, if the dandruff is severe and/or the scalp is
irritated, your doctor can perform a physical
examination and, if necessary, order some tests to
diagnose the cause of your condition.
What is
the treatment?
In mild
cases, you can treat the scales by shampooing daily
with a mild shampoo. If this doesn’t work, you can
control dandruff with a dandruff shampoo. Look for
shampoos containing pyrithione zinc, salicylic acid,
tar, or selenium sulfide. These either contain an
anti-fungal agent or slow cell turnover. Shampoos
containing ketoconazole may also be effective if the
others fail. Follow the instructions on the shampoo
bottle for the best results. How often you use the
shampoo depends upon the severity of your condition
and your doctor’s recommendations. Your doctor may
order a mild steroid cream or a prescription shampoo
for more severe scalp symptoms.
Self-care
tips
Although
there is no known way to prevent dandruff, you can
control it by shampooing regularly and maintaining a
healthy lifestyle, which includes following a healthy
diet and managing stress. Some people find that
reducing your intake of foods containing sugar and
yeast and eating foods high in zinc, vitamin B, and
omega-3 fatty acids can help control dandruff.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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