Healthy Beauty
Understanding Dandruff: The Basics
What Is Dandruff?
Dandruff -- those dry, white flakes of skin you constantly find yourself brushing off your collar or shoulders -- poses no health risk whatsoever. But it can be a source of embarrassment, and the itchiness that may come with it is a genuine nuisance. The problem has nothing to do with hygiene and how often you wash your hair. Even though dandruff is very common, doctors actually know little about what causes it.
Skin cells that grow and die off too fast are the cause of dandruff, but doctors do not know why this happens. One possible cause is a fat-eating fungus called malassezia (formerly known has Pityrosporum ovale), which is present in most people but may contribute to dandruff. This fungus lives on the scalp of most healthy adults without causing any problems. One theory is that the immune system of dandruff sufferers may overreact to the fungus.
Dandruff can be related to a number of different conditions. It may get worse with stress. Even the season of the year can contribute to the problem: Cold, dry winters are notorious for bringing on dandruff or making it worse.
A common cause is a mild form of a skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis, or seborrhea. Seborrhea is usually associated with redness as well and the skin may appear greasy-looking with yellowish, flaky skin. People with dandruff may have seborrheic dermatitis in other areas of the body as well, including the scalp, the ear, and the center of the face.
WebMD Medical Reference
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