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If you see dry, flakes in your
hair or on your shoulders, you've likely got dandruff! Dandruff (historically
termed Pityriasis capitis)
is caused by the excessive shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp.
As the epidermal layer
continually replaces itself, cells are pushed outward where they eventually
die and flake off. For most people, these flakes of skin are too small to be
visible. However, certain conditions cause cell turnover to be unusually
rapid resulting in dead skin cells that are shed in clumps and appear as
small, white or grayish patches on the scalp.
Many dandruff sufferers experience
chronic flaking while others experience dandruff intermittently due to
certain triggers such as stress |
or the onset of dry, cold winter weather. Dandruff can also be accompanied by
redness, itching, and irritation. Most cases of dandruff can be treated with
specialized anti-dandruff shampoos or other scalp treatments.
Excessive flaking can also be a symptom of seborrhoeic dermatitis
(seborrhea),
psoriasis, or fungal infections
Dandruff is a global phenomenon and many people find that
dandruff can cause social or self-esteem problems. Treatment can be
important for purely social reasons. Researchers continue to attempt to
develop shampoos and scalp treatments to control dandruff.
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