ETIOLOGY OF DANDRUFF

     ETIOLOGY OF DANDRUFF

Dandruff  is  the  shedding  of  dead skin cells  from the scalp. It  is  one of  the common scalp 

disorder affecting  almost half  of  the  population  at  the post -pubertal age and  of  any  sex

and ethnicity. Some  people  experience  unusually  large  amount  of  flaking  either chronically or  as  a result  of  certain triggers which  can  be  accompanied  by  redness  and  itching. In majority of cases  of  dandruff, there  is  no  known  cause. However,  there  are  indications that heredity, diet  and upset in the  body`s  hormonal  balance may  be  contributory factors. However, the  etiology  of  dandruff  has  focused on the role  of  a fungus normally found  on the human scalp and skin ( Malassezia furfur), a dimorphic  lipophilic  fungus.

Although the actual  cause of dandruff  is generally not known, but it can have several causes including:-

• Irritated oily  skin 
• Not shampooing often enough
• A yeast like fungus ( Malassezia)
• Dry skin
• Sensitivity to hair care products

The  severity and occurrence of  symptoms of  dandruff  vary  between  individuals .It  is generally  not  a serious  condition but  there is  potential  for  complications in some people, such as  a secondary bacterial  infection or  fungal  infection. Some  of the  symptoms can be easily appreciated .For most  teens  and  adults , dandruff signs  are  easy  to spot:-

• White, oily looking flakes of dead  skin that dot your  hair and  shoulders.
• Scaly  and  itchy  scalp.
• Red  and  greasy  patches  of  skin and  feeling tingly  on the skin .

Dandruff  is  a  chronic  condition that  comes  and  goes  and is  not  curable. However, with a well  integrated  treatment  plan, symptoms  of  dandruff  can  be  effectively controlled  and  minimized.

• Use  of  anti-dandruff shampoos.
• Rosemary Oil
• Tea Tree Oil
• Vitamin B12
• Topical  Corticosteroid 
• Salicyclic acid  shampoos

TREATMENT :-

In general,  daily  cleansing  with a gentle  shampoo  or  any anti- dandruff  shampoo  to  reduce  oiliness and  skin  cell  build  up  can  often  help  mild  dandruff.  If  dandruff  is  worsening  ( spreading , causing  hairloss,  swelling,  increasing  redness, painful or  infected), you  should  contact  your  doctor  if  your  symptoms  show  no signs  of  improvement  after  using  anti- dandruff  shampoo  for  2  weeks. You  may  require  stronger  prescription treatment.

 MICROSCOPIC   VIEW   OF     DANDRUFF