Dandruff
is the shedding of excessive amounts of dead skin flakes from the
scalp. There may be a bit if itching, but no redness or scabbing.
It usually gets worse during the fall and winter and improves in
the summer. While it is caused by build up of dead skin, in many
more severe cases a yeast-like germ aggravates it. While this germ
is normally present on everyone's scalp, it can produces some
irritation if it grows heavily.
Dandruff differs from a dry scalp in that it is improved when
one shampoos more often. People who actually have a dry scalp are
also dry all over their skin. Some people say their dandruff gets
worse when they are stress, anxiety and tension. The best way to
control dandruff is to use a shampoo that contains a medication,
such as selenium sulfide (selsun blue) or zinc pyrithione (head
& Shoulders, ZNP) or Nizoral AD. For more severe cases try tar
(Ionil T, T/gel, Pentrax) or sulfur (Meted or Sebulex). For best
results, buy 2 or 3 and alternate them. Since dandruff is a
natural process, it can not be eliminated; it can only be
controlled.
When scaling of the scalp is accompanied by redness, or when
the redness and flaking spreads to cause greasy scaling on the
face, eyebrows or sides of the nose, you may have seborrheic
dermatitis. Severe dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis are really
related conditions and can often be controlled by prescription
medications.