Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List
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Treatment of Dandruff
The aim of treatment is to reduce the level of the yeast pityrosporum ovale on the scalp. Dandruff responds well to the use of medicated, anti-fungal shampoos, especially those containing, in order of effectiveness:
- Selenium sulphide
- Zinc pyrithione
- Coal tar
- Ketoconazole
The shampoo should be massaged into the scalp and left on for 3-5 minutes before being thoroughly rinsed. The hair and scalp should be shampooed with this type of shampoo 1-2 times a week.
Dandruff should improve within 1-2 weeks of starting treatment, but will commonly recur if treatment is stopped.
Additional treatment for seborrhoeic dermatitis can help control symptoms but cannot cure the condition. Treatments include topical corticosteroids (applied to the scalp) to reduce inflammation, keratolytics to remove thick scaly patches, oral antifungals if a fungal infection is widespread, and oral antibiotics if the scalp becomes infected.
