Troublesome dandruff

Overview

Modern dermatology is finding evermore evidence for the opinion that one of the most importantconditions for proper skin function is a balance between proliferation and differentiation ofepithelial cells. A manifestation of such disturbance is dandruff - pityriasis sicca and pityriasissteatoides - localized in the scalp or in the eyebrows. This banal but psychosocially disturbingdisorder is connected not only with internal factors such as atopic diathesis, but also withexternal factors such as tobacco smoke-laden premises and stressing situations in life. Theimportance of microbes is undoubted and therefore even therapy has to be aimed in thatdirection, namely the application of zinc pyrothione. Microbes induce an immune reaction notas infectious agents, but as producers of secondary inflammatory cytokins. Significant is thedamage to the epidermal permeable barrier, which allows for other unexpected complications.

Key words:
hais - pityriasis - dandruff - barrier - Malassezia.