Dandruff seborrheic (from the Latin Pityriasis seborrhoica) is a small amount of skin exfoliation. Almost every dermatological disease is classified with a separate name due to its appearance, severity, and type of infection. The same applies to dandruff. Depending on the degree of exfoliation accompanying the seborrhea of the skin of the scalp it can be:
- plain dandruff - characterised by less seborrhea;
- oily dandruff - during the course of which there is severe seborrhea.
How is it created and who is prone to dandruff?
The essence of this phenomenon is accelerated desquamation. Normally the process of cell regeneration and exfoliation should be synchronised. Cells from the lowest layer of the epidermis divide and move upwards. Approaching the surface the cells die and fall off. On average, the epidermis fully regenerates within 28 days. Sometimes, however, various factors, both internal and external, can speed up the process to only four days. In this case, the skin gets rid of a large amount of cornified cells in the form of larger panels, which we call dandruff. Plain dandruff leaves scales on the hair , which can easily fall on clothing. When we are dealing with large outbreaks and a white layer of peeling scabs, we define them as pseudotinea. Oily dandruff is characterised by a layers of yellowish scabs and symptoms of inflammation, causing permanent hair loss. When we remove layers of scales, we should be careful to not to irritate the skin, because if we damage it, it may facilitate a bacterial infection, fungi or cause inflammation of seborrheic dermatitis.
The occurrence of dandruff is associated with the season of the year. In the summer problems are due to the sun, and in autumn and winter it is made worse in connection with wearing headgear for example, which hinders the access of air to the skin. In men, dandruff is more common because they often work in helmets or other mandatory headgear. Dandruff and seborrhea reduce with progressive baldness. Therefore, bald people don't have dandruff! In addition to an inherited propensity for dandruff the following factors can exacerbate it: poor diet (such as lack of vitamins F and B6), washing your hair with shampoos that contain strong detergents, fatigue, stress, allergies and hormonal imbalances, which alter the microbial balance of the scalp. Normal dandruff occurring in smooth skin is called white dandruff (pityriasis alba), and in conjunction with whitish-coloured, well-defined outbreaks, is usually located within the face and limbs. The treatment of all forms of dandruff must be addressed, even if it is only a cosmetic problem because it can easily become aggravated and escalate into more serious diseases.
How can you prevent dandruff?
Here is some simple practical advice to prevent dandruff:
- Do not irritate the scalp, eg by scratching
- Introduce into your diet foods that are high in vitamins F and B6 (eg wheat germ, liver)
- properly care about hair avoiding their greasy (after washing thoroughly rinsed, dried naturally)
- Wash your hair once a month with an anti-dandruff shampoo
- For better access and higher ultraviolet air circulation (especially in summer) it is preferable to keep the head free of headgear
A whole range of anti-dandruff shampoos, creams and lotions with antifungals to be used in cases of oily dandruff is now available in pharmacies.
Dr n. med. Ewa Iwan-Chuchla
Specialist dermatologist-venereologist