Dandruff is an inflammatory condition of the skin of the scalp, with white to yellow, greasy scaling flakes on the surface. It is also known as seborrheic dermatitis.

It may spread to other areas of the face, neck and central part of the armpit area.

It is estimated to affect 2% to 5% of the general population and affects men and women equally. It commonly occurs between the ages of 20 to 50 and in older individuals.

Sebaceous glands are oil producing glands located at the base of the skin. They become overactive. Consequently the scalp and the hair follicles at the skin surface tend to become oily. Burning, itching and redness of the involved area may occur. There is also a dry form of the condition in which the scales are hard, dry and whitish grey in colour and the hair is dry and brittle.

The fungus pitysporum ovule, also known as malassezia, has been found on the skin surface of more than 90% of individuals with dandruff. While pitysporum is part of the normal surfice microflora of the skin, overabundance of this yeast has been associated with development of seborrhea. The fungus digests triglycerides present in the sebum creating inflammatory oils that irritate the skin cells.

Normal skin cells turn over on average once every 30 days. However, in patients with........

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