Skin Care N Cure
A Dermatologist's Web Site

Flaking of the skin on the scalp is called dandruff. Severe variety of dandruff, characterised by redness, scaling and itching, is called seborrhoic dermatitis. It is seen during infancy and after puberty. Factors causing dandruff are:

• Sebaceous gland activity under the influence of androgens
• Colonization with Pityrosporum ovale, an yeast like fungus
• Inflammatory response

Precipitating/exacerbating factors include:

• Stress
• Obesity
• Diet rich in sugars, processed and refined grains
• Excessive perspiration
• Certain medications (neuroleptics)
• Neurological disorders like Parkinsonism, cerebro vascular accidents
• Acute Medical illness
• Immunocompromised state

Clinically, dandruff manifests as greasy flaking of the scalp, sometimes associated with redness and itching and acne-like rash (Pityrosporum folliculitis) on the face, back and chest. On the face, seborrhoic dermatitis is manifested as redness and scaling on the inner side of the eye brows, glabella, sides of the nose, beard region and around the ears. Sometimes this can lead to scaling, swelling and itching of the eyelid margins.

Course: Severity of dandruff keeps varying, often aggravated by stress, tiredness and exposure to sunlight. In chronic cases, there is some degree of hair loss which is reversible. Dandruff may accelerate the onset of male pattern baldness. It can also sometimes cause pigmentation on the face.

Control measures: Regular hair wash (2-3 per week), avoidance of diet rich in sugar and processed and refined food, avoidance of too much of hair oil and avoidance of stress. A diet rich in vitamins (biotin) and essential fatty acids is useful.