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19 years
Ive been suffering from dandruff in my hair and beard for over than 6months.I just realized that there is spot on my head without hair although im not losing hair is it because of dandruff? solution?
Aug 17, 2014
2nd opinion

Dr. Zakia Dimassi Pediatrics
Seborrheic dermatitis, or dandruff is a skin condition, with possible temporary hair loss if the dermatitis is located on the scalp or other terminal-haired skin areas. A scaly, sometimes oily, inflamed skin that can be itchy or even painful to touch is the hallmark of the disease. This is an inflammatory condition that is still poorly understood. One valid explanation is that the sebaceous glands, which are glands attached to the hair follicles and produce an oily substance known as the sebum (functions to keep the hair supple, the skin moist and protected from germs), begin to produce a very rich form of sebum. Androgen steroids may be partially responsible for this. Hormonal fluctuation, such as during puberty, can activate the onset of seborrheic dermatitis.

The excess, rich sebum production in seborrheic dermatitis constitutes a favorable medium for skin flora to multiply. Yeast Pityrosporon ovale (also called Malassezia furfur) has been shown to increase in numbers with the intensity of seborrheic dermatitis. This excessive yeast proliferation worsens the irritation and inflammation. Although all this inflammation does not directly attack the hair follicle, if hair follicles are in the vicinity of the inflammatory cells then they can still be adversely affected. Thus seborrheic dermatitis may non-specifically cause diffuse hair loss. This hair loss should be reversible with treatment of the inflammation.

There are available several treatments for seborrheic dermatitis. Medicated anti-dandruff type shampoos are the 1st and easiest choice to control the skin proliferation and inflammation. Shampoos for seborrheic dermatitis are based on ingredients like sulfur, selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, tar, salicylic acid, or oil of Cade. There is also Azole based shampoos (Ketoconazole - Nizoral) and medicated shampoos that may contain fluconazole. All can be effective in treating seborrheic dermatitis and can be used in an alternating fashion. Some dermatologists resort to antibiotics to control the skin flora which will indirectly reduce the inflammation. The inflammation may be directly targeted by using a corticosteroid cream or lotion to control the immune response. Seborrheic dermatitis can be very persistent once it starts so persistence with treatment is required and preventative treatment is useful even when the symptoms are gone.
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Dr. Salim Saab Otolaryngology (ENT)
the case is typical of seborrheic dermatitis where sebaceous gland secrete too much of sebum with inflamation treatment with selenium or ketoconazole
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