A Simple Guide to Dandruff

A Simple Guide to Dandruff
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What is Dandruff?
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Dandruff is an acute to chronic inflammatory scaly disease of the hairy areas of the scalp endowed with sebaceous glands.

As a result scales that are shedded from the the dead skin cells of the scalp are called dandruff or pityriasis capitis.

What are the Causes of Dandruff?
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The cause of Dandruff is not completely known but are related to three possible factors:

1.Excessive sebaceous or oil gland secretions from the skin

2.the fungus Malassezia furfur has been known to be a possible cause of dandruff.
It metabolises the oils present in sebum to a lipid byproduct oleic acid .This oleic acid can cause an inflmmation in the epithelium of the scaly resulting in the shedding of dry scales.

3. allergic reaction to chemicals in hair oils, cream or gel

Certain oily foods may trigger the production of dandruff

Stress has been known to trigger off dandruff


What are the symptoms of Dandruff?
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Onset is usually gradual.

Symptoms:
1.Flaking of scales from the scalp.

2.Itchiness of the scalp

3.Redness of the skin on scalp, forehead and eyebrows

Signs:
1.Dry, rounded, greyish macular or papular lesions on the scalp.

2.The surface consists of dry scales which can be rubbed off

3.Sometimes the lesions can become crusted

4.Some lesions may become purulent with yellow exudate.

What is the Treatment of Dandruff?
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1.Dandruff shampoo such as Sebutone, Genisol, Selsun will help to remove flakes and reduce the lesions.

2.fungus infection should be treated with antifungal orally with ketoconazole
and topical antifungal lotion and shampoo such as salicylate acid lotion, nizoral or ketoconazole shampoo.

3.For more severe cases with bacterial infection a combination of hydrocortisone and tetracycline ointment can be used to remove infected crusts.

4.General hair hygiene -
shampoo hair daily

Avoid too strong hair cream or gels


What is the prognosis of Dandruff?
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Generally good with treatment.

However recurrences are not uncommon.

General hair hygiene is important.