Menu
Home Explore People Places Arts History Plants & Animals Science Life & Culture Technology
On this page
Dandruff
Skin condition mainly affecting the scalp causing flaking of scurf and itchiness

Dandruff is a common scalp condition characterized by flaking and mild itchiness, sometimes affecting self-esteem. A severe form, seborrhoeic dermatitis, involves skin inflammation. Its cause is unclear but linked to genetic and environmental factors, often worsening in winter, and is not due to poor hygiene. The condition involves excessive growth of skin cells and is diagnosed based on symptoms. Although there is no cure, treatments like antifungal creams including ketoconazole or the keratolytic salicylic acid can help. Dandruff affects about half of adults worldwide, more commonly males, with onset typically at puberty and decline after age 50.

Related Image Collections Add Image
Profiles
1 Image
We don't have any YouTube videos related to Dandruff yet.
We don't have any PDF documents related to Dandruff yet.
We don't have any Books related to Dandruff yet.
We don't have any archived web articles related to Dandruff yet.

Signs and symptoms

The main symptoms of dandruff are an itchy scalp and flakiness.18 Red and greasy patches of skin and a tingly feeling on the skin are also symptoms.19

Dandruff and dry scalp are often confused since they share many of the same symptoms, but their causes and treatment are different.20 Dry scalp is simply dry skin on the scalp and can usually be easily treated with a skin care regimen.

Causes

The cause is unclear but believed to involve a number of genetic and environmental factors.21

As the skin layers continually replace themselves, cells are pushed outward where they die and flake off. For most individuals, these flakes of skin are too small to be visible. However, certain conditions cause cell turnover to be unusually rapid, especially in the scalp. It is hypothesized that for people with dandruff, skin cells may mature and be shed in two to seven 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 flakes on the scalp, skin and clothes.

According to one study, dandruff has been shown to be possibly the result of three factors:22

  1. Skin oil, commonly referred to as sebum or sebaceous secretions23
  2. The metabolic by-products of skin micro-organisms (most specifically Malassezia yeasts)2425262728
  3. Individual susceptibility and allergy sensitivity.

Microorganisms

Older literature cites the fungus Malassezia furfur (previously known as Pityrosporum ovale) as the cause of dandruff. While this species does occur naturally on the skin surface of people both with and without dandruff, in 2007, it was discovered that the responsible agent is a scalp specific fungus, Malassezia globosa,29 that metabolizes triglycerides present in sebum by the expression of lipase, resulting in a lipid byproduct: oleic acid. During dandruff, the levels of Malassezia increase by 1.5 to 2 times its normal level.30 Oleic acid penetrates the top layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, and evokes an inflammatory response in susceptible people which disturbs homeostasis and results in erratic cleavage of stratum corneum cells.31

Bacteria are also suspected to be a cause. Staphylococcus capitis was found to be 100 times more abundant on scalps affected by dandruff.32

For a long time, studies on dandruff predominantly focused on fungi, particularly the Malassezia species, which are major fungi colonizing the human scalp and the dominant members of the cutaneous fungal microbiome. Of the 14 known cultured species of Malassezia, the most clinically significant species are M. restricta and M. globosa. These species have been reported to be associated with skin diseases, including dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, pityriasis dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis.33

However, another microorganism community composed of bacteria also inhabits the human scalp and includes facultative anaerobic bacteria, such as P. acnes, and aerobic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus.34

Using 454 pyrosequencing of the microbiome on scalp dandruff, eleven bacterial phyla were detected, but most sequences were assigned to two bacterial phyla: Actinobacteria (64.9%) and Firmicutes (32.5%). Of the 123 identified genera, Propionibacterium (63.3%, Actinobacteria) and Staphylococcus (32.4%, Firmicutes) comprised more than 95% of the total sequences. A total of 99.7% of the Propionibacterium belonged to P. acne, and 94.9% of the Staphylococcus were Staphylococcus spp (including S. epidermidis, S. capitis and S. caprae).35

It was found that Propionibacterium decreased from 70.8% to 50.2% in the dandruff group, whereas Staphylococcus increased from 26.0% to 43.5%. Moreover, the proportion of the other low abundance bacteria increased in the dandruff group from 3.2% to 6.4%.36

Redundancy analysis (RDA) identified 33 genera related to severity of dandruff including Staphylococcus showed a significant positive correlation with dandruff. In contrast, only two genera (Propionibacterium and Labrys) showed a significant negative correlation with dandruff. Because Staphylococcus and Propionibacterium were the two dominant but reciprocally inhibited bacterial genera on the scalp, these results indicated that dandruff was mainly associated with the balance of these two genera.37

Microorganisms on the scalp, especially fungi, have been predominantly thought to be the main cause of the development of dandruff, after several studies it was observed that there was not a close association between the bacteria in genus and fungi in species. Furthermore, the relationship between bacteria and dandruff was stronger than the relationship between fungi and dandruff.38

Seborrhoeic dermatitis

In seborrhoeic dermatitis, redness and itching frequently occur around the folds of the nose and eyebrow areas, not just the scalp. Dry, thick, well-defined lesions consisting of large, silvery scales may be traced to the less common condition of scalp psoriasis. Inflammation can be characterized by redness, heat, pain or swelling, and can cause sensitivity.

Inflammation and extension of scaling outside the scalp exclude the diagnosis of dandruff from seborrhoeic dermatitis.39 However, many reports suggest a clear link between the two clinical entities - the mildest form of the clinical presentation of seborrhoeic dermatitis as dandruff, where the inflammation is minimal and remains subclinical.4041

Seasonal changes, stress, and immunosuppression seem to affect seborrheic dermatitis.42

Mechanism

Dandruff scale is a cluster of corneocytes, which have retained a large degree of cohesion with one another and detach as such from the surface of the stratum corneum. A corneocyte is a protein complex that is made of tiny threads of keratin in an organised matrix.43 The size and abundance of scales are heterogeneous from one site to another and over time. Parakeratotic cells often make up part of dandruff. Their numbers are related to the severity of the clinical manifestations, which may also be influenced by seborrhea.44

Treatment

Shampoos use a combination of special ingredients to control dandruff.

Antifungals

Antifungal treatments including piroctone olamine, ketoconazole (Sebizole), zinc pyrithione, and selenium disulfide (Selsun Blue) have been found to be effective.45 Ketoconazole appears to have a longer duration of effect.46 Ketoconazole is a broad-spectrum antimycotic agent that is active against Candida and M. furfur. Of all the antifungals of the imidazole class, ketoconazole has become the leading contender among treatment options because of its effectiveness in treating seborrheic dermatitis as well.47

Ciclopirox (topical route) may also be used as an anti-dandruff agent.484950 However, it is mostly sold as cream and its main use is for treating athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm.51

Other than zinc pyrithione, the most common anti-dandruff actives (outside the US) and part of many cosmetic shampoos, are piroctone olamine and climbazole. Very recent anti-dandruff shampoos use a new ester technology, propanediol caprylate.

Exfoliating agents

Coal tar causes the skin to shed dead cells from the top layer and slows skin cell growth.52

Salicylic acid is an approved anti-dandruff active as per the US FDA OTC drug monograph and also used in many cosmetic anti-dandruff shampoos globally.

Etymology

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word dandruff is first attested in 1545, but is still of unknown etymology.53

  • The dictionary definition of dandruff at Wiktionary
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dandruff.

References

  1. Tucker D, Masood S (August 2021). "Seborrheic Dermatitis". StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 31869171. /wiki/PMID_(identifier) ↩

  2. Tucker D, Masood S (August 2021). "Seborrheic Dermatitis". StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 31869171. /wiki/PMID_(identifier) ↩

  3. "Dandruff". nhs.uk. 18 October 2017. Archived from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2020. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dandruff/ ↩

  4. Grimalt R (December 2007). "A practical guide to scalp disorders". The Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Symposium Proceedings. 12 (2): 10–14. doi:10.1038/sj.jidsymp.5650048. PMID 18004290. https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fsj.jidsymp.5650048 ↩

  5. Tucker D, Masood S (August 2021). "Seborrheic Dermatitis". StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 31869171. /wiki/PMID_(identifier) ↩

  6. Tucker D, Masood S (August 2021). "Seborrheic Dermatitis". StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 31869171. /wiki/PMID_(identifier) ↩

  7. Ranganathan S, Mukhopadhyay T (2010). "Dandruff: the most commercially exploited skin disease". Indian Journal of Dermatology. 55 (2): 130–134. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.62734. PMC 2887514. PMID 20606879. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2887514 ↩

  8. Dandruff Archived 1 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine. National Health Service https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dandruff/#:~:text=Dandruff%20is%20not%20caused%20by,dandruff%20and%20their%20main%20symptoms ↩

  9. "Dandruff: How to treat". American Academy of Dermatology. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2017. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-and-scalp-problems/dandruff-how-to-treat ↩

  10. Ranganathan S, Mukhopadhyay T (2010). "Dandruff: the most commercially exploited skin disease". Indian Journal of Dermatology. 55 (2): 130–134. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.62734. PMC 2887514. PMID 20606879. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2887514 ↩

  11. "Patient education: Seborrheic dermatitis (including dandruff and cradle cap) (Beyond the Basics)". www.uptodate.com. Archived from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2020. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/seborrheic-dermatitis-including-dandruff-and-cradle-cap-beyond-the-basics ↩

  12. Turkington C, Dover JS (2007). The Encyclopedia of Skin and Skin Disorders (Third ed.). Facts On File, Inc. p. 100. ISBN 978-0-8160-6403-8. Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. 978-0-8160-6403-8 ↩

  13. Tucker D, Masood S (August 2021). "Seborrheic Dermatitis". StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 31869171. /wiki/PMID_(identifier) ↩

  14. "Dandruff". nhs.uk. 18 October 2017. Archived from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2020. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dandruff/ ↩

  15. Tucker D, Masood S (August 2021). "Seborrheic Dermatitis". StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 31869171. /wiki/PMID_(identifier) ↩

  16. Tucker D, Masood S (August 2021). "Seborrheic Dermatitis". StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 31869171. /wiki/PMID_(identifier) ↩

  17. Tucker D, Masood S (August 2021). "Seborrheic Dermatitis". StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 31869171. /wiki/PMID_(identifier) ↩

  18. Turner GA, Hoptroff M, Harding CR (August 2012). "Stratum corneum dysfunction in dandruff". International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 34 (4): 298–306. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2494.2012.00723.x. PMC 3494381. PMID 22515370. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3494381 ↩

  19. "What Is Dandruff? Learn All About Dandruff". Medical News Today. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152844.php#symptoms_of_dandruff ↩

  20. "Dry Scalp vs. Dandruff: What's the Difference? (With Pictures)". Freebird | The Bald Truth. Retrieved 5 July 2024. https://www.myfreebird.com/a/blog/posts/dry-scalp-vs-dandruff ↩

  21. "Dandruff: How to treat". American Academy of Dermatology. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2017. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-and-scalp-problems/dandruff-how-to-treat ↩

  22. DeAngelis YM, Gemmer CM, Kaczvinsky JR, Kenneally DC, Schwartz JR, Dawson TL (December 2005). "Three etiologic facets of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis: Malassezia fungi, sebaceous lipids, and individual sensitivity". The Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Symposium Proceedings. 10 (3): 295–297. doi:10.1111/j.1087-0024.2005.10119.x. PMID 16382685. https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1087-0024.2005.10119.x ↩

  23. Ro BI, Dawson TL (December 2005). "The role of sebaceous gland activity and scalp microfloral metabolism in the etiology of seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff". The Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Symposium Proceedings. 10 (3): 194–197. doi:10.1111/j.1087-0024.2005.10104.x. PMID 16382662. https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1087-0024.2005.10104.x ↩

  24. Ashbee HR, Evans EG (January 2002). "Immunology of diseases associated with Malassezia species". Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 15 (1): 21–57. doi:10.1128/CMR.15.1.21-57.2002. PMC 118058. PMID 11781265. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC118058 ↩

  25. Batra R, Boekhout T, Guého E, Cabañes FJ, Dawson TL, Gupta AK (December 2005). "Malassezia Baillon, emerging clinical yeasts". FEMS Yeast Research. 5 (12): 1101–1113. doi:10.1016/j.femsyr.2005.05.006. PMID 16084129. https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.femsyr.2005.05.006 ↩

  26. Dawson TL (2006). "Malassezia and seborrheic dermatitis: etiology and treatment". Journal of Cosmetic Science. 57 (2): 181–182. PMID 16758556. /wiki/PMID_(identifier) ↩

  27. Gemmer CM, DeAngelis YM, Theelen B, Boekhout T, Dawson TL (September 2002). "Fast, noninvasive method for molecular detection and differentiation of Malassezia yeast species on human skin and application of the method to dandruff microbiology". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 40 (9): 3350–3357. doi:10.1128/JCM.40.9.3350-3357.2002. PMC 130704. PMID 12202578. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC130704 ↩

  28. Gupta AK, Batra R, Bluhm R, Boekhout T, Dawson TL (November 2004). "Skin diseases associated with Malassezia species". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 51 (5): 785–798. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2003.12.034. PMID 15523360. /wiki/Doi_(identifier) ↩

  29. "Genetic code of dandruff cracked". BBC News. 6 November 2007. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7080434.stm ↩

  30. Ranganathan S, Mukhopadhyay T (2010). "Dandruff: the most commercially exploited skin disease". Indian Journal of Dermatology. 55 (2): 130–134. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.62734. PMC 2887514. PMID 20606879. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2887514 ↩

  31. Dawson TL (2006). "Malassezia and seborrheic dermatitis: etiology and treatment". Journal of Cosmetic Science. 57 (2): 181–182. PMID 16758556. /wiki/PMID_(identifier) ↩

  32. "One step closer to finding the root cause of dandruff - Unilever". Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023. https://www.unilever.com/news/news-search/2020/one-step-closer-to-finding-the-root-cause-of-dandruff/ ↩

  33. Xu Z, Wang Z, Yuan C, Liu X, Yang F, Wang T, Wang J, Manabe K, Qin O, Wang X, Zhang Y, Zhang M (12 May 2016). "Dandruff is associated with the conjoined interactions between host and microorganisms". Scientific Reports. 6 (1): 24877. Bibcode:2016NatSR...624877X. doi:10.1038/srep24877. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 4864613. PMID 27172459. This article incorporates text from this source, which is available under the CC BY 4.0 license. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4864613 ↩

  34. Xu Z, Wang Z, Yuan C, Liu X, Yang F, Wang T, Wang J, Manabe K, Qin O, Wang X, Zhang Y, Zhang M (12 May 2016). "Dandruff is associated with the conjoined interactions between host and microorganisms". Scientific Reports. 6 (1): 24877. Bibcode:2016NatSR...624877X. doi:10.1038/srep24877. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 4864613. PMID 27172459. This article incorporates text from this source, which is available under the CC BY 4.0 license. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4864613 ↩

  35. Xu Z, Wang Z, Yuan C, Liu X, Yang F, Wang T, Wang J, Manabe K, Qin O, Wang X, Zhang Y, Zhang M (12 May 2016). "Dandruff is associated with the conjoined interactions between host and microorganisms". Scientific Reports. 6 (1): 24877. Bibcode:2016NatSR...624877X. doi:10.1038/srep24877. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 4864613. PMID 27172459. This article incorporates text from this source, which is available under the CC BY 4.0 license. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4864613 ↩

  36. Xu Z, Wang Z, Yuan C, Liu X, Yang F, Wang T, Wang J, Manabe K, Qin O, Wang X, Zhang Y, Zhang M (12 May 2016). "Dandruff is associated with the conjoined interactions between host and microorganisms". Scientific Reports. 6 (1): 24877. Bibcode:2016NatSR...624877X. doi:10.1038/srep24877. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 4864613. PMID 27172459. This article incorporates text from this source, which is available under the CC BY 4.0 license. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4864613 ↩

  37. Xu Z, Wang Z, Yuan C, Liu X, Yang F, Wang T, Wang J, Manabe K, Qin O, Wang X, Zhang Y, Zhang M (12 May 2016). "Dandruff is associated with the conjoined interactions between host and microorganisms". Scientific Reports. 6 (1): 24877. Bibcode:2016NatSR...624877X. doi:10.1038/srep24877. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 4864613. PMID 27172459. This article incorporates text from this source, which is available under the CC BY 4.0 license. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4864613 ↩

  38. Xu Z, Wang Z, Yuan C, Liu X, Yang F, Wang T, Wang J, Manabe K, Qin O, Wang X, Zhang Y, Zhang M (12 May 2016). "Dandruff is associated with the conjoined interactions between host and microorganisms". Scientific Reports. 6 (1): 24877. Bibcode:2016NatSR...624877X. doi:10.1038/srep24877. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 4864613. PMID 27172459. This article incorporates text from this source, which is available under the CC BY 4.0 license. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4864613 ↩

  39. Ro BI, Dawson TL (December 2005). "The role of sebaceous gland activity and scalp microfloral metabolism in the etiology of seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff". The Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Symposium Proceedings. 10 (3): 194–197. doi:10.1111/j.1087-0024.2005.10104.x. PMID 16382662. https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1087-0024.2005.10104.x ↩

  40. Piérard-Franchimont C, Xhauflaire-Uhoda E, Piérard GE (October 2006). "Revisiting dandruff". International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 28 (5): 311–318. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2494.2006.00326.x. PMID 18489295. S2CID 24519401. https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1467-2494.2006.00326.x ↩

  41. Pierard-Franchimont C, Hermanns JF, Degreef H, Pierard GE (2000). "From axioms to new insights into dandruff". Dermatology. 200 (2): 93–8. doi:10.1159/000018337. PMID 10773693.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) /wiki/Doi_(identifier) ↩

  42. Ranganathan S, Mukhopadhyay T (2010). "Dandruff: the most commercially exploited skin disease". Indian Journal of Dermatology. 55 (2): 130–134. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.62734. PMC 2887514. PMID 20606879. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2887514 ↩

  43. Brannon H. "The Structure and Function of the Stratum Corneum". Dermatology.about.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2017. http://dermatology.about.com/od/anatomy/ss/sc_anatomy_2.htm ↩

  44. Ranganathan S, Mukhopadhyay T (2010). "Dandruff: the most commercially exploited skin disease". Indian Journal of Dermatology. 55 (2): 130–134. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.62734. PMC 2887514. PMID 20606879. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2887514 ↩

  45. Turner GA, Hoptroff M, Harding CR (August 2012). "Stratum corneum dysfunction in dandruff". International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 34 (4): 298–306. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2494.2012.00723.x. PMC 3494381. PMID 22515370. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3494381 ↩

  46. Turner GA, Hoptroff M, Harding CR (August 2012). "Stratum corneum dysfunction in dandruff". International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 34 (4): 298–306. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2494.2012.00723.x. PMC 3494381. PMID 22515370. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3494381 ↩

  47. Ranganathan S, Mukhopadhyay T (2010). "Dandruff: the most commercially exploited skin disease". Indian Journal of Dermatology. 55 (2): 130–134. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.62734. PMC 2887514. PMID 20606879. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2887514 ↩

  48. Gupta AK, Nicol KA (January 2006). "Ciclopirox 1% shampoo for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis". International Journal of Dermatology. 45 (1): 66–69. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2004.02331.x. PMID 16426382. S2CID 6357543. https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1365-4632.2004.02331.x ↩

  49. Gupta AK, Bluhm R (June 2004). "Ciclopirox shampoo for treating seborrheic dermatitis". Skin Therapy Letter. 9 (6): 4–5. PMID 15334279. Archived from the original on 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15334279/ ↩

  50. "Ciclopirox (Topical Route) Description and Brand Names - Mayo Clinic". www.mayoclinic.org. Archived from the original on 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ciclopirox-topical-route/description/drg-20062888 ↩

  51. "Ciclopirox Topical: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD". www.webmd.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-18039-433/ciclopirox-topical/ciclopirox-topical/details ↩

  52. "Anti-Dandruff (coal tar)". WebMD. 16 August 2017. Archived from the original on 12 December 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2017. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-151769-Anti-Dandruff+coal+tar+Top.aspx?drugid=151769&drugname=Anti-Dandruff+(coal+tar)+Top ↩

  53. "dandruff | dandriff, n." OED Online. Oxford University Press, March 2015. Web. Retrieved 27 April 2015. ↩