Dandruff

Dandruff
Other namesPityriasis capitis, pityriasis sicca[1]
A microscopic image of human dandruff
SpecialtyDermatology
SymptomsItchy and flaking skin of the scalp[2][1]
Usual onsetPuberty[1]
CausesGenetic and environmental factors[1]
Diagnostic methodBased on symptoms[3]
Differential diagnosisPsoriasis, dermatitis, tinea capitis[2][1]
MedicationAntifungal cream (ketoconazole), salicylic acid[2][1]
Frequency~50% of adults[1]

Dandruff is a skin condition that mainly affects the scalp.[1] Symptoms include flaking and sometimes mild itchiness.[1][2] It can result in social or self-esteem problems.[4] A more severe form of the condition, which includes inflammation of the skin, is known as seborrhoeic dermatitis.[1]

The cause is unclear, but believed to involve a number of genetic and environmental factors;[1] the condition may worsen in the winter.[5] It is not due to poor hygiene,[6][7] and the underlying mechanism involves the excessive growth of skin cells.[5] Diagnosis is based on symptoms.[3]

There is no known cure for dandruff.[8] Antifungal cream, such as ketoconazole, or the keratolytic agent salicylic acid may be used to try to improve the condition.[1][2] Dandruff affects about half of adults, with males more often affected than females.[1] In addition, people in all areas of the world are affected.[1] Onset is usually at puberty, and it becomes less common after the age of 50.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Tucker D, Masood S (August 2021). "Seborrheic Dermatitis". StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 31869171.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Dandruff". nhs.uk. 18 October 2017. Archived from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Patient education: Seborrheic dermatitis (including dandruff and cradle cap) (Beyond the Basics)". www.uptodate.com. Archived from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  4. ^ Grimalt R (December 2007). "A practical guide to scalp disorders". The Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Symposium Proceedings. 12 (2): 10–14. doi:10.1038/sj.jidsymp.5650048. PMID 18004290.
  5. ^ a b Ranganathan S, Mukhopadhyay T (2010). "Dandruff: the most commercially exploited skin disease". Indian Journal of Dermatology. 55 (2): 130–134. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.62734. PMC 2887514. PMID 20606879.
  6. ^ Dandruff Archived 1 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine. National Health Service
  7. ^ "Dandruff: How to treat". American Academy of Dermatology. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  8. ^ Turkington C, Dover JS (2007). The Encyclopedia of Skin and Skin Disorders (Third ed.). Facts On File, Inc. p. 100. ISBN 978-0-8160-6403-8. Archived from the original on 19 May 2016.