dandruff is a problem

Gbex says: "Dandruff" is the shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. Dandruff is sometimes caused by frequent exposure to extreme heat and cold. As it is normal for skin cells to die and flake off, a small amount of flaking is normal and common. Some people, however, either chronically or as a result of certain triggers, experience an unusually large amount of flaking, which can also be accompanied by redness and irritation. Most cases of dandruff can be easily treated with specialized shampoos.

Excessive flaking can also be a symptom of seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis, fungal infection or excoriation associated with infestation of head lice.

Those affected by dandruff find that it can cause social or self-esteem problems. Treatment may be important for both physiological and psychological reasons.

As the epidermal layer continually replaces itself, cells are pushed outward where they eventually die and flake off. In most people, these flakes of skin are too small to be visible. However, certain conditions cause cell turnover to be unusually rapid, especially in the scalp.

For people with dandruff, skin cells may mature and be shed in 2–7 days, as opposed to around a month in people without dandruff. The result is that dead skin cells are shed in large, oily clumps, which appear as white or grayish patches on the scalp, skin and clothes.

Dandruff has been shown to be the result of three required factors:

1.Skin oil commonly referred to as sebum or sebaceous secretions
2.The metabolic by-products of skin micro-organisms
3.Individual susceptibility

Shampoos use a combination of ingredients to control dandruff. Salicylic acid (used in Sebulex) removes dead skin cells from the scalp and decreases the rate at which these cells are created. Zinc pyrithione kills pityrospora. Selenium sulfide or Ketoconazole achieves the results of both salicylic acid and zinc pyrithione.

Simply increasing usage with normal shampooing will remove flakes. However, elimination of the fungus results in dramatic improvement. Regular shampooing with an anti-fungal product can reduce recurrence.

Soothing preparations may contain Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and coal tar based products.

The most common antifungal agents used are Zinc pyrithione Selenium sulfide and Ketoconazole.

Other products used include Tea tree oil and Piroctone olamine (Octopirox).