Dandruff

For the album, see Dandruff (album).
"Pityriasis capitis" redirects here. For another skin condition sometimes called pityriasis capitis, see seborrhoeic dermatitis.
"Scurf" redirects here. For the species of bull trout sometimes called scurf, see bull trout.

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.