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By Rome Jorge, Lifestyle Editor
What really causes dandruff—fungus, oiliness
or stress? Know the bare facts and don’t get scalped.
It’s but normal for people to shed skin. Our
epidermis—the outer most layer of the skin—is composed of dead
skin cell from the dermis—the layer of living cells underneath the
dermis—that continuously regenerates. Dandruff or pityriasis
capitis is the excessive shedding of skin—excessive to the point
of being noticeable and embarrassing.
Dandruff can be a symptom fungal infection,
seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis or head lice. Strictly speaking,
itching, redness, lesions, hair loss and large skin flaking are
symptoms of seborrhoeic dermatitis that can affect the scalp as well
as pubic areas, facial hair and other parts of the body.
Dandruff occurs when these three factors
coincide:
1. Oily skin
2. Malassezia globosa fungus
3. One’s own susceptibility
Excessive sebum promotes the growth of
malassezia globosa fungus, which metabolizes the skin’s natural
oil or sebum into oleic acid that penetrates the epidermis, inflames
the skin, and—in persons susceptible to dandruff—leads to
excessive shedding of the epidermis. However, Dr. Mia Versoza,
Dermatologist in St. Luke’s medical Hospital notes, “There’s
no racial factor in acquiring dandruff.”
Stress, weather, certain types of clothing and
poor hygiene do lead to excessive skin oiliness. “One of the major
factors in developing dandruff is stress. Most of the time people
can’t just handle stress properly.,” explains Dr. Versoza. Using
the same seat headrest, pillow or bed with a person with dandruff
can also transmit the malassezia globosa fungus.
Though not proven conclusively yet, researchers
suspect that a fungus—malassezia furfur—causes seborrhoeic
dermatitis. They further postulate that those suffering from
seborrhoeic dermatitis are more susceptible to the skin irritation
wrought by the malassezia furfur.
Regular bathing and shampooing of any kind will
reduce skin oiliness. Comfortable clothing, air conditioning and
stress relief through physical fitness, relaxation activities and a
balanced diet can also prevent excessive sebum production.
However, for best results against dandruff and
other fungus-caused ailments is best to use anti-fungal treatments.
These include ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide,
piroctone olamine, tea tree oil and sodium bicarbonate to name a
few. Look for these active ingredients. Though one’s dandruff
treatment should be potent, it should not further irritate one’s
scalp or skin.
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