DANDRUFFDANDRUFF Dandruff is a chronic ,non inflammatory condition of Dandruff is a chronic ,non inflammatory condition of

the scalp that is characterized by excessive scaling the scalp that is characterized by excessive scaling of scalp tissue. It is not a disease but rather a normal of scalp tissue. It is not a disease but rather a normal physiological event unaccepted sociallyphysiological event unaccepted socially

The scaling process:The scaling process: Epidermal cells on the scalp slough continually just as on Epidermal cells on the scalp slough continually just as on

other parts of the body,. However , the epidermal cell turnover other parts of the body,. However , the epidermal cell turnover on the scalp occurs at a higher rate and involves the on the scalp occurs at a higher rate and involves the infundibulum of the hair follicle. infundibulum of the hair follicle.

Dandruff flakes appear around a hair shaft due to the Dandruff flakes appear around a hair shaft due to the epithelial growth at the base of the hair. epithelial growth at the base of the hair.

The hair restricts the elimination of sloughed keratin, creating The hair restricts the elimination of sloughed keratin, creating a visible scalea visible scale

If dandruff is the only thing standing between you and a If dandruff is the only thing standing between you and a closet full of basic black, you're not alone. Many people closet full of basic black, you're not alone. Many people have this chronic scalp disorder, which is marked by itching have this chronic scalp disorder, which is marked by itching and excessive flaking of the scalp. Although dandruff isn't and excessive flaking of the scalp. Although dandruff isn't contagious and is rarely serious, it can be embarrassing contagious and is rarely serious, it can be embarrassing and surprisingly persistent.and surprisingly persistent.

The good news is that dandruff can usually be controlled. The good news is that dandruff can usually be controlled. Mild cases of dandruff may need nothing more than daily Mild cases of dandruff may need nothing more than daily shampooing with a gentle cleanser. And stubborn flakes shampooing with a gentle cleanser. And stubborn flakes often respond to medicated shampoos. What's more, often respond to medicated shampoos. What's more, researchers have identified a yeast-like fungus that may researchers have identified a yeast-like fungus that may cause or aggravate dandruff, a discovery that may lead to cause or aggravate dandruff, a discovery that may lead to better treatments.better treatments.

SymptomsSymptoms For most people, the signs and symptoms of dandruff are For most people, the signs and symptoms of dandruff are

unmistakable: white, oily looking flakes of dead skin that dot unmistakable: white, oily looking flakes of dead skin that dot your hair and shoulders and an itchy, scaling scalp.,your hair and shoulders and an itchy, scaling scalp.,

Incidence and characteristic.Incidence and characteristic. it appears at puberty, reaches a peak in early adulthood, it appears at puberty, reaches a peak in early adulthood,

levels off in middle age, decline in advancing years, and levels off in middle age, decline in advancing years, and disappears in old age.it is seasonal, mild in summer disappears in old age.it is seasonal, mild in summer monthes and most severe in winter. Poor hygiene does not monthes and most severe in winter. Poor hygiene does not cause dandruff in a non –dandruff person, but exacerbates cause dandruff in a non –dandruff person, but exacerbates existing symptoms. Dandruff is a stable process( not existing symptoms. Dandruff is a stable process( not subjected to sudden shifts in severity from week to week) subjected to sudden shifts in severity from week to week)

It is less subjected to outside stress.It is less subjected to outside stress.

Almost any adult is a candidate for dandruff, but Almost any adult is a candidate for dandruff, but certain factors can make you more susceptible:certain factors can make you more susceptible:

Age.Age. Dandruff usually begins in young adulthood Dandruff usually begins in young adulthood and continues through middle age. That doesn't and continues through middle age. That doesn't mean older adults don't get dandruff, however. For mean older adults don't get dandruff, however. For some people, the problem can be lifelong. some people, the problem can be lifelong.

Sex.Sex. Because more men than women have Because more men than women have dandruff, some researchers think male hormones dandruff, some researchers think male hormones may play a role in dandruff. Men also have larger may play a role in dandruff. Men also have larger sebaceous glands that produce an oil called sebum. sebaceous glands that produce an oil called sebum.

Risk factorsRisk factors

Risk factorsRisk factors

Oily hair and scalp.Oily hair and scalp. Malassezia feeds on oils in your Malassezia feeds on oils in your scalp. For that reason, having excessively oily skin and scalp. For that reason, having excessively oily skin and hair makes you more prone to dandruff. hair makes you more prone to dandruff.

Certain illnesses.Certain illnesses. For reasons that aren't clear, adults For reasons that aren't clear, adults with neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, with neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, are more likely to develop seborrheic dermatitis and are more likely to develop seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. So are people recovering from stressful dandruff. So are people recovering from stressful conditions, particularly heart attack and stroke, and those conditions, particularly heart attack and stroke, and those with compromised immune systems. with compromised immune systems.

Treatments and OTC DrugsTreatments and OTC Drugs

Dandruff is a chronic condition that can almost Dandruff is a chronic condition that can almost always be controlled, but dandruff treatment may always be controlled, but dandruff treatment may take a little patience and persistence. In general, take a little patience and persistence. In general, mild scaling can often be helped by daily mild scaling can often be helped by daily cleansing with a gentle shampoo to reduce cleansing with a gentle shampoo to reduce oiliness and cell buildup.oiliness and cell buildup.

When regular shampoos fail, OTC dandruff When regular shampoos fail, OTC dandruff shampoos may succeed. But dandruff shampoos shampoos may succeed. But dandruff shampoos aren't all alike, and you may need to experiment aren't all alike, and you may need to experiment until you find one that works best for you. until you find one that works best for you. Dandruff shampoos are classified according to Dandruff shampoos are classified according to their active ingredient:their active ingredient:

Treatments and OTC DrugsTreatments and OTC Drugs

Zinc pyrithione shampoos (Selsun Salon, Head Zinc pyrithione shampoos (Selsun Salon, Head & Shoulders).& Shoulders). These contain the antibacterial and These contain the antibacterial and antifungal agent zinc pyrithione, which has been antifungal agent zinc pyrithione, which has been shown to reduce the fungus that causes dandruff shown to reduce the fungus that causes dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. and seborrheic dermatitis.

Tar-based shampoos (Neutrogena T/Gel).Tar-based shampoos (Neutrogena T/Gel). Coal Coal tar, a byproduct of the coal manufacturing tar, a byproduct of the coal manufacturing process, helps conditions such as dandruff, process, helps conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis by slowing cell seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis by slowing cell turnover. turnover.

Treatments and OTC DrugsTreatments and OTC Drugs

Selenium sulfide shampoos (Selsun Blue).Selenium sulfide shampoos (Selsun Blue). These shampoos help prevent cell turnover and These shampoos help prevent cell turnover and may also reduce the number of malasseziamay also reduce the number of malassezia.. Because they can discolor blonde, gray or Because they can discolor blonde, gray or chemically colored hair, be sure to use them only chemically colored hair, be sure to use them only as directed and to rinse well after shampooing. as directed and to rinse well after shampooing.

Ketoconazole shampoos (Nizoral).Ketoconazole shampoos (Nizoral). The newest The newest addition to the dandruff armamentarium, addition to the dandruff armamentarium, ketoconazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent ketoconazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that may work when other shampoos fail. It's that may work when other shampoos fail. It's available over-the-counter as well as prescription available over-the-counter as well as prescription drug.drug.

Try using one of these shampoos daily until your Try using one of these shampoos daily until your dandruff is controlled, then cut back to two or three dandruff is controlled, then cut back to two or three times a week. If one type of shampoo works for a times a week. If one type of shampoo works for a time and then seems to lose its effectiveness, try time and then seems to lose its effectiveness, try alternating between two types of dandruff shampoos. alternating between two types of dandruff shampoos. Be sure to leave the shampoo on for at least five Be sure to leave the shampoo on for at least five minutes — this allows the ingredients time to work.minutes — this allows the ingredients time to work.

If you've shampooed faithfully for several weeks and If you've shampooed faithfully for several weeks and there's still a dusting of dandruff on your shoulders, there's still a dusting of dandruff on your shoulders, talk to your doctor or dermatologist. You may need a talk to your doctor or dermatologist. You may need a prescription-strength shampoo or more aggressive prescription-strength shampoo or more aggressive treatment with a steroid lotion.treatment with a steroid lotion.

Treatments and OTC DrugsTreatments and OTC Drugs

Lifestyle and home remediesLifestyle and home remedies

You can't prevent dandruff, but you can take steps to reduce your risk:You can't prevent dandruff, but you can take steps to reduce your risk:

Learn to manage stress.Learn to manage stress. Stress affects your overall health, making you Stress affects your overall health, making you susceptible to a number of conditions and diseases. It can even help trigger susceptible to a number of conditions and diseases. It can even help trigger dandruff or exacerbate existing symptoms. dandruff or exacerbate existing symptoms.

Shampoo often.Shampoo often. If you tend to have an oily scalp, daily shampooing to If you tend to have an oily scalp, daily shampooing to remove the excess oil may help prevent dandruff. remove the excess oil may help prevent dandruff.

Cut back on styling products.Cut back on styling products. Hair sprays, styling gels, mousses and hair Hair sprays, styling gels, mousses and hair waxes can all build up on your hair and scalp, making them oilier. waxes can all build up on your hair and scalp, making them oilier.

Eat a healthy diet.Eat a healthy diet. A diet that provides enough zinc, B vitamins and A diet that provides enough zinc, B vitamins and essential fatty acid may help prevent dandruff. essential fatty acid may help prevent dandruff.

Get a little sun.Get a little sun. Sunlight may be good for dandruff. But because exposure Sunlight may be good for dandruff. But because exposure to ultraviolet light damages your skin and increases your risk of skin cancer, to ultraviolet light damages your skin and increases your risk of skin cancer, don't sunbathe. Instead, just spend a little time outdoors. And be sure to don't sunbathe. Instead, just spend a little time outdoors. And be sure to wear sunscreen on your face and body. wear sunscreen on your face and body.

Whate do you know about keratolytics Whate do you know about keratolytics ??

The epidermis consists of layers of fat cells called stratified epithelial The epidermis consists of layers of fat cells called stratified epithelial cells. cells.

They are bound together by desmosomes and penetrating tonofibrils They are bound together by desmosomes and penetrating tonofibrils consist of keratin.consist of keratin.

Stratum corneum is a tight network of keratin and lipoprotein. Stratum corneum is a tight network of keratin and lipoprotein.

Certain fungi, especialy the dermatophytes utilize keratin and reside in Certain fungi, especialy the dermatophytes utilize keratin and reside in the s,. Cornium in those places where the degree of hydration and the the s,. Cornium in those places where the degree of hydration and the pH are sufficiently high.pH are sufficiently high.

One way such mycoses may be suppresed is thatof removal of the One way such mycoses may be suppresed is thatof removal of the stratum corneum;aprosses that called desquamation.stratum corneum;aprosses that called desquamation.

Certain chemical, loosenthe keratin and facilitate desquamation. These Certain chemical, loosenthe keratin and facilitate desquamation. These substances are called Keratolyticssubstances are called Keratolytics