This is a very common skin complaints characterized by the formation of greasy whitish-yellow scales that come away in profusion when the scalp is combed or brushed. These may settle in the clothing. The compliant varies from very mild to very severe. It is generally worse in winter weather, particularly if hats are worn. Dandruff commonly causes itchiness of the scalp.

What is Dandruff ?

This is a very common skin complaints characterized by the formation of greasy whitish-yellow scales that come away in profusion when the scalp is combed or brushed. These may settle in the clothing. The compliant varies from very mild to very severe. It is generally worse in winter weather, particularly if hats are worn. Dandruff commonly causes itchiness of the scalp.

Cause of Dandruff

The underlying cause of dandruff is a condition called Seborrhoeic Dermatitis, but the reason producing this is unknown, although a yeast that often lives on the skin, Malassezia furfur, may play a role. Certain areas of the skin have an abundance of sebaceous glands, tiny factories of sebum, the water proofing material that covers the skin. The glands gains access to the outside by microscopic canals. If excessive amount of sebum are produced, above-average layers are laid down on the skin. When this dries out, it tends to flake away in the form of dandruff. Some people who have weakened immune systems, such as those on chemotherapy or those with HIV disease or certain neurological disorders, may have very severe seborrhea.

Areas of Body that can be affected

The scalp, eyebrows ad mid portion of the face, nasal folds, the area behind the ears, the breastbone region, the area between the shoulder blades, the armpit and other genital parts most commonly affected.

More advanced cases of the disorder show a reddening of the skin, an excessive oiliness. It appears more common in overweight people and those with diabetes. In overweight, it is common for the are between the fatty folds to be affected and these cracks and become infected with germs.

What doesn’t help dandruff?

  • Moisturizing: Moisturizing lotions don’t do much more than smooth out scales and make patches look redder.
  • Switching brands of shampoo: Shampoo doesn’t cause dandruff. However, medicated shampoos (see below) can help.
  • Changing hair-care routines: There is no “right” shampoo or conditioner, nor is there a “correct” number of times to shampoo per week; seborrhea and dandruff are not caused by excessive shampooing “drying out the scalp.” Hair dyes and conditioners do not cause or aggravate dandruff.
  • Switching antiperspirants: When underarms are red from seborrhea, almost anything will make them redder, including antiperspirants, even though they are only aggravating the seborrhea and not causing it.

Treatments of Dandruff

1. Regularly cleans all affected parts

Shampoo the scalp and affected parts with any of the many commercial preparations available for dandruff. Many lines are excellent. Selenium sulphide (Selsun) suspension shampoo and zinc pyrithione 2 %  (like Head & Shoulders) preparation (Zp11 dressing and shampoo or dangard) are also very effective. Instructions usually accompany the commercial package.

2. Simple general measures are often helpful

These include eating a sensible balanced diet avoiding, excess sweets and carbohydrates or spicy food, hot drinks and alcoholic beverages. Get adequate rest at night (every night). Follow sensible working hours and avoid foolish excesses.  Adequate recreation helps, and the basic of simple hygiene are important Infections, emotional stresses and upsets, constipation, and dietetic indiscretions should be attended to. Regular Scalp massage may help.

Care of eyelashes in Dandruff
Dandruff (seborrhea) of the eyelashes can be both annoying and hard to treat. Eye doctors like to recommend scrubbing the lashes with baby shampoo on a cotton swab. This method may be worth a try, but it often fails. Cortisone-based lotions should be used close to the eye only under medical supervision since continuous exposure of the eye to cortisone can lead to serious eye problems.

Further Treatments

If these simple measures don’t assist, seek professional help form the family physician. Other lines of treatment he may suggest could include:

  • Creams containing corticosteroids

(Equal to 0.5 to 1.0 % hydrocortisone). These often reduce the inflammation and excessive discharges.

  • Creams containing Sulphur (3-5%) and Salicylic acid (2-3%) are popular and often satisfactory. they are often used as a cream the night before the shampooing. If sores develop indicating infection form other growing germs, these must be treated independently.

In over weight people where the condition arises between folds of fat rubbing together, the physician may check for diabetes. Castellani’s paint (a bright magenta-coloured preparation) applied will often cure the irritating cracks and fissures that commonly develop in these areas. Pre-cleansing the area with soap and water is essential( but all traces of soap must be removed afterwards.)

  • Antifungal creams are often effective, apparently because they reduce the number of yeast organisms living on the skin. Over-the-counter creams include 1% clotrimazole cream and miconazole cream 2%. Antifungal creams also are applied once or twice a day.
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