What is dandruff, pityriasis capititis

We've all heard of dandruff, but what exactly is it? Where does it come from/ how do people get it?

Dandruff, typically poses no health risk however it can be a direct source of embarrassment, and the itchiness that many times comes with it is a genuine annoyance. Many people unknowingly yet incorrectly assume that the problem has something to do with hygiene and how often you wash your hair. It is true that not frequently shampooing can aggravate an existing case of dandruff, it will not bring it on.

What is dandruff?
Dandruff, sometimes called scurf or Pityriasis capititis, is an itchy skin disorder of the scalp that can develop during the normal growing process of the scalp's skin cells. In a healthy scalp, the old skin cells die and are sloughed off approximately once a month and replacement cells are manufactured quickly. In most people, these flakes of dead skin cells are too small to be seen. In a dandruff scalp, however, the skin cells are sloughed off every five to seven days in large, oily clumps before they are dead.

One possible cause of pityriasis capititis, dandruff, is a fat-eating fungus called Pityrosporum ovale, which is present in most people but to excess in dandruff sufferers. This fungus lives on the scalp of most healthy adults without causing any problems. Sometimes its numbers grow out of control and it feeds on the oil made by hair follicles. This causes irritation, which leads to an increase in skin cell shedding. Sounds lovely doesn't it!?

That's the gist of what Dandruff aka pityriasis capititis is and where it comes from. There are tons of articles out there on what it is.

Here are 2:
Wikipedia- Dandruff
WebMd

Now that you know what dandruff is, check out How to Recognize the signs of Dandruff .