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Home Disease Index Dandruff

DANDRUFF


Overview

Causes
Symptoms
Risk Factor

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Overview

 

Dandruff is the most common condition affecting the scalp. Skin is constantly renewing itself and dead cells from the scalp fall off as new cells form beneath them. Everyone loses skin cells in this way, but with Dandruff the whole process is faster, so a greater number of cells are shed. The cells are also shed in clumps that are big enough to be seen by the eye as Dandruff flakes, particularly when they land on dark clothing. The scalp can also be itchy. The medical name for this condition is pityriasis capitis.

Many people think that flaking occurs because their scalp is too dry, and stop using shampoo because they believe it makes the condition worse. This is not true. The flaking occurs due to the increased turnover of skin cells.

Dandruff is believed to be associated with an overgrowth of a fungus commonly found on the skin and scalp, called Pityrosporum ovale.




Causes

 

Severe cases of Dandruffare caused by a disease called seborrhoeic eczema or seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis causes greasy, bran-like scale. The seborrhoeic area - the scalp, the skin around the nose, the lines on the cheeks, the eyebrows, the ears and the torso - may also be red and itchy.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis becomes worse during the winter and tends to improve during the summer when sunlight relieves the symptoms. It can vary from mild cases, which are only a problem in winter, to more severe cases where flaking occurs in places other than just the scalp.

As well as seasonal changes, stress and serious illnesses can cause an increase in the production of scale.

A sudden, strong tendency to flaking or seborrhoeic dermatitis in a middle-aged person who has never had such problems before can be a sign of HIV infection.

Some people with severe Dandruff may have psoriasis.

 



Symptoms

  


Risk Factors

 
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