Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis
About Dandruff and Scaling Scalp Conditions
What is dandruff?
Dandruff, the most common scaling scalp condition, is simply a build up of dead skin cells on the scalp.
Skin cells are being shed from our scalps all the time, but are usually shed as very fine particles which we don't even notice. Dandruff sufferers produce skin cells on the scalp more quickly than normal, and because more of them are being produced, they clump together to form visible white flakes.
Dandruff is also linked with the presence of higher than normal levels of a natural yeast called 'malassezia furfur'. We all have small quantities of this on our scalp with no ill effect, but in dandruff sufferers the yeast thrives on the clumped skin cells, making the condition even worse.
If you have any questions, don't be shy. Just ask your physician.
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