Dandruff

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Severe dryness of scalp resulting in Dandruff.
Dandruff

Dandruff or dandruff (short only dandruff , fachsprachlich Pityriasis simplex capillitii ) is a collective term for all forms of the increased incidence of skin cells in the scalp.

General symptoms

If the flaking occurs with a greater intensity than the norm, so that the flakes are clearly visible and cover a large part of the scalp, it is called dandruff . This is also expressed in the fact that a large number of flakes of skin trickle down when the hair is touched and moved, which is usually perceived as annoying and unpleasant by those affected.

Dandruff is usually associated with itching; the resulting scratching by the affected person often leads to the formation of wounds. This provides a target for pathogens to attack.

to form

Dandruff can be more common for various reasons. There is a general distinction between dry and oily dandruff.

Dry dandruff

In addition to the natural predisposition to dry scalp, dry dandruff occurs as a result of fat withdrawal. Characteristic of this form of dandruff is the overall dry, low-fat scalp. In addition, dry dandruff can be a symptom of diseases such as psoriasis (psoriasis). Other diseases that cause dandruff as a side effect are atopic eczema and seborrheic eczema , and a contact allergy can also be the reason for dandruff.

Greasy dandruff

In addition, there is another form of dandruff, which is characterized by its yellowish, oily appearance. People who tend to have an oily scalp are affected; yeast is often the trigger. In patients with symptoms of oily dandruff, an increased incidence of cultures of the species Malassezia furfur is observed, which to a lesser extent are part of the natural skin flora; a connection between the mushrooms and fatty dandruff cannot be denied. Oily flakes are usually larger than dry ones and, due to their adhesiveness and sticky nature, are often stuck to the hair more strongly.

distribution

Dandruff is widespread, 30% of women and 20% of men suffer from severe dandruff at least at times. The different forms are more common among certain groups of people. For example, women are more likely to be affected by dry dandruff, as they generally tend to produce less fat. In men, on the other hand, oily dandruff is more common because men have higher sebum production . People of a certain age or a certain phase of life are also more prone to dandruff. Dandruff is often associated with hormone fluctuations; During puberty, the sebum production in men, which is higher than in women, increases , and in women during the menopause, an increase in the susceptibility to dry dandruff can be observed.

Dry dandruff occurs mainly in winter and autumn, as the heating air has a drying effect on the scalp at this time of year. In contrast, greasy dandruff is more common when high humidity encourages fungus to grow.

treatment

Treatment starts with the underlying ailments. Anti-dandruff shampoos, which often also contain fungicidal substances, are also widespread. However, these are only more effective in combating greasy dandruff; in the case of dry dandruff, treatment with such shampoos can have the opposite, drying effect. In order to prevent the skin from drying out, mild shampoos with a lipid replenishing effect can be used to a degree that is skin-friendly, and rubbing in with oil can also have an effect.

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