What is dandruff?

Dandruff or Pityriasis capitis is an excessive flaking of the scalp that causes small remnants of dry, whitish skin to peel off. Consequently, they tend to be scattered among the hair or fall on the shoulders or clothing.

As the small scales are visible, this hair problem can cause concern or embarrassment to the sufferer, despite being very common. It is usually controlled with the use of shampoos, although it can sometimes be difficult to treat.

The technical name for dandruff is pityriasis, since it contains the spores of Pitirosporumovale, a common fungus on the scalp. Depending on the type of dandruff, it may be accompanied by itchiness and an oily appearance of the hair, but without clinical signs of inflammation on the scalp, something that is more characteristic of seborrheic dermatitis.

Who suffers from this hair problem?

Dandruff usually begins after puberty, because during adolescence the concentrations of hormones are higher and the body produces more fat (due to a greater activity of the sebaceous glands). For this same reason, it is strange that dandruff is present in children and the elderly, although it is frequent in adulthood.

It is also more common in men than in women and, equally, people with problems in the immune system or with neurological ailments such as Parkinson's are more likely to suffer from it.

Why does dandruff appear?

The true cause of the appearance of dandruff is not known, although some mechanisms that can act as triggers have been observed and that we will mention below.

Normally, the epidermis of the scalp is renewed, like that of the rest of the body, every twenty-eight days, approximately. However, the speed of this renewal process can increase in some people and then dandruff appears.

In addition, hormonal changes can trigger or worsen the problem of dandruff. However, contrary to what is thought, it does not seem that its appearance is related to the emotional state of the person, although it is complicated in times of stress. It can also be worse in the colder times of the year and better in summer.

It seems that the imbalance in the microbial flora of the scalp can also act as a trigger, since in people with dandruff an increased presence of a fungus called Malassezia furfur (or Pitirosporumovale, as it was previously called) has been observed.

Dandruff can also be related to sensitivity to hair care products (contact dermatitis) and other skin problems such as psoriasis and eczema, thus appearing as a symptom of other underlying diseases.

What types of dandruff are there and what symptoms do they produce?

There are two main types of dandruff; the most common is pityriasis simplex or dry dandruff, which causes the scalp to flake and produces small, whitish, fine flakes that come off easily. Hair is dull, coarse, and dull. This type of dandruff, very common, does not cause itching or inflammation.

In contrast, in those who suffer from steatoid pityriasis or oily dandruff, the scales are larger and are mixed with sebum. For this reason, they are thicker, oily, yellowish and sticky. Also, its adherence to the scalp and hair is greater. This type of dandruff is usually linked to seborrhea, which is why it usually affects the areas that produce more fat on the head such as the front area or the neck area.

Dandruff can sometimes be confused with seborrheic dermatitis, the symptoms of which are similar. They are, however, different ailments.

Looking for Dandruff Treatment in Vadodara?

Dr.Jyoti Patil is known as Baroda’s first certified Trichologist from IAT, Australia.