Dandruff
(Seborrhea)
Medical Author: Alan Rockoff, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What is dandruff (seborrhea)?
Seborrhea is not just skin dryness. Actually, the word "seborrhea" means
"too much oil." Seborrhea is also known as seborrheic dermatitis or common dandruff.
Seborrhea can present as a variety of
conditions such as dandruff, thick scales on the scalp,
redness on the face or in the armpits, or raw, red patches
below the breasts. Although some of these conditions may
feel "dry," moisturizing only makes them redder. In other
cases the skin may seem oily or even oily and dry at the
same time.
Seborrhea (dandruff) is a skin disorder that results from neither
too little moisture nor too much oil. It is a form of skin
inflammation (dermatitis) which has no known cause. This
condition can appear at any time from infancy to old age,
and can come and go more or less at random. Treatment of seborrhea (dandruff) is directed at fighting the skin inflammation.
This is done either directly, by using cortisone-based
creams and lotions (which reduce inflammation), or by
reducing the yeast that builds up on scaly areas and adds
to the problem. Note, though, that dandruff is not a yeast
infection.
What doesn't help seborrhea (dandruff)?
- Moisturizing: Moisturizing lotions don't do much more
than smooth out scales and make patches look redder.
- Switching brands of shampoo: Shampoo doesn't cause dandruff. However, medicated shampoos (see below) can help.
- Changing hair care routines: There is no "right"
shampoo or conditioner. There isn't even a "correct" number of times to
shampoo per week; it depends on how old you are and what country you come
from. (To people from other parts of the world, Americans wash like maniacs;
to Americans the others . . . well, never mind!) And hair dye does not cause
or aggravate dandruff.
- Switching antiperspirants: When underarms are red
from seborrhea, almost anything will make them redder,
including antiperspirants, even though the are only
aggravating the seborrhea and not causing it. Almost every
antiperspirant on the market contains the same active
ingredient, aluminum chlorohydrate, or a related compound.
Next: What over-the-counter products can help dandruff
(seborrhea)? »
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