Dandruff (Seborrhea dermatitis)

By: Michael DenningAnatomy and Physiology2nd BlockFebruary 14,2012

Dandruff (Seborrhea dermatitis)

What is Dandruff?

Scaly white or grayish flakes of dead skin cells, found primarily in the scalp. The condition marked by excessive shedding of flakes and usually accompanied by itching .

Causesof DandruffDry SkinEczemaIrritated, Oily SkinNot Shampooing EnoughDietMalassezia (Yeast-like Fungus)Mental StressNot Brushing Your hair HIVParkinsons Disease

Signs and SymptomsAdults: Red flaky, greasy patches of skin Head may feel sore Flakes may be oily looking Head may feel tight and itchy White flakes on the scalp and in hair Head may feel tingly

Signs and SymptomsBabies and Children: Crusting and scaling rash on scalp (Cradle Cap)

TreatmentUse cortisone-based creams and lotions (These reduce inflammation)Reducing the yeast that builds up on scaly areas and adds to the problem.

Treatment cont.Using Shampoo also helps. The ingredients to look for areTar (T/Gel)Salicylic AcidZinc Pyrithione (Head and Shoulders)Ciclopirox (Coprox)Selenium Sulfide (Selsun Blue)Ketoconazole (Nizoral)Treatment cont.Using foams helps with the treatment of dandruff. Some things to look for in foams are.Betamethasone (Luxiq)Triamcinolone (Kenalog)Clobetasol (Clobex)Fluocinoncide (Synaler)

Treatment cont.Antifungal creams- Creams that reduce the number of yeast organisms living in skin. Contains 1% clotrimazole cream and 2% micronazole cream. To be effective a person should use it twice a day.They are also called Cortisone Creams

Treatment cont.Another treatment is using antifungal cleansers which reduces inflammation.Important ingredients in cleansers are:Sulfacetamide (Rosanil)Sodium Sulfacetamide and Sulfur (Clenia)Benzoyl Peroxide (Benoxyl, Zoderm) BibliographyWebster, Merriam -. "Dandruff - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary." Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster Online. Web. 07 Feb. 2012. .Rockoff, Alan. "Dandruff (Seborrhea) Causes, Symptoms and Treatment by MedicineNet.com." Medicinenet.com. Web. 07 Feb. 2012. .Alai, Nili N. "Dandruff (Seborrhea) Causes, Symptoms, Treatment - Dandruff Symptoms on EMedicineHealth." Web. 07 Feb. 2012. .Dictionary, A.D.A.M Medical. "Seborrheic Dermatitis - PubMed Health." 13 May 2011. Web. 07 Feb. 2012. .Bar-Shalons, Dr. Ruth. "Skin Health - Dandruff - Natural Medical Solutions." Natural Alternative Medicine Remedies | Natural Cures | Holistic Medicine / Herbal Medicine / Homeopathic Medicine. Web. 07 Feb. 2012. .