Healthy way of living helps control dandruff<\/p>\n
By Maria Endah Hulupi<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An active young woman scratches her itchy scalp
\nand secretly looks at her shoulders and seems unhappy when she
\nnotices reddish damp dirt on her nails and white scurf scattered
\non her shoulders. The scurf remains visible even on her light
\nblue blouse. If she could see it, anybody can.<\/p>\n
She starts worrying that her problem with dandruff will, in
\nthe end, affect her relationship with her colleagues at the
\noffice. That's not all, now she has a stinging irritation on her
\nscalp because of repeated scratching.<\/p>\n
Survey firm AC Nielsen displays shocking data, one out of two
\nIndonesians have dandruff. Most of them fear of being seen with
\nthis scurf which will ruin their appearance in the presence of
\ntheir colleagues during a party or during a job interview when
\nthey have to look sharp for a good first impression.<\/p>\n
Dermatologist Lily Soepardiman said that dandruff is the
\nresult of an increase population of yeast pityrosporum ovale (P.
\nOvale), a flora which is normally found on the scalp.<\/p>\n
P. Ovale will speed up the formation of a new skin layer,
\nforcing the immature dead skin to the outer epidermis layer. This
\ndamp dead skin accumulates and when this layer get thicker than
\n0.2 micron becomes visible and creates itchiness on the scalp.
\nThe scurf will then fall, especially when the affected area is
\nscratched.<\/p>\n
This skin renewal process normally occurs within 28 days and
\nthe matured dead skin will be easily cleansed by washing the hair
\nperiodically. In the case of dandruff, the process occurs within
\nonly seven days, giving no time for the dead skin to become
\nmature enough to peel normally and will then accumulate.<\/p>\n
Dandruff or Pityriasis Sika is very likely to occur on the
\nepidermis layer with excessive sebum, such as on scalp, ears,
\nchest, back and forehead.<\/p>\n
\"Dandruff is not contagious. It will not spread to other scalp
\nareas by scratching or combing the hair using a comb belonging to
\na person with a dandruff problem. However, it can lead to
\npossible hair loss, usually from the center to the forehead,\" she
\nsaid during the launching of Head and Shoulder anti-dandruff
\nshampoo.<\/p>\n
The hair will grow but will become finer and thinner, thus
\nwill expose the scalp.<\/p>\n
Lily said that enough rest to reduce stress, balanced low fat
\ndiet and periodically washing the hair and scalp to cleanse
\nexcessive sebum using anti-dandruff shampoo can control the P.
\nOvale population.<\/p>\n
\"Living a healthy life will help because dandruff can be
\ntriggered by other factors, such as androgen hormone
\nirregularity, stress, high fat diet, poor hygiene or using
\ncosmetics with active chemicals like hair coloring, shampoo,
\nsoaps and hairsprays,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Androgen irregularity will activate the sebaceous glands on
\nthe scalp, providing an ideal location for P. Ovale to live. A
\nsimilar condition will occur when a person is stressed.<\/p>\n
\"However, dandruff and stress may lead to a vicious circle. A
\nperson will become stressed if he has dandruff and the dandruff
\nitself cause stress in the affected person,\" she added.<\/p>\n
As for cosmetics, some soaps, which contain extract of acacia
\nconcina fruit and several traditional hair treatments, which are
\nmade of coconut oil, will encourage the growth of P. Ovale.<\/p>\n
Consuming chocolate, butter, peanut and other fattening food
\nwill trigger sebaceous glands to produce excessive sebum on the
\nskin, which is a good medium for P. Ovale.<\/p>\n
People with dandruff will complain of having itchiness,
\nespecially during a hot day when they are sweating and the glands
\nbecome very active, reddish scalp or irritation and hairloss.<\/p>\n
When the condition continues, the affected part will expand to
\nthe rest of the scalp and sometimes to the forehead, ears, back
\nand neck. The scurf may be oily or dry and has yellowish or
\nreddish color.<\/p>\n
Without proper treatment, this will lead to serious
\nirritation, accompanied by a stinging sensation and skin swelling
\nbecause of infections. This condition will dampen the scalp and
\nthe hair may become sticky, with an offensive odor.<\/p>\n
P. Ovale population can be controlled by using specially
\nformulated shampoo, containing anti-fungus active chemicals, zinc
\npyrithione (ZPT), selenium sulfide or ketoconazole; anti-
\nproliferation chemicals, tar and octiprox and peeling properties,
\nsalicyluric acid and sulfur.<\/p>\n
According to Procter & Gamble's technical external relations
\nErly Evita washing hair and scalp thoroughly with anti-dandruff
\nshampoo, containing one percent of ZPT and enriched with hair
\ntreatment formula for a long term daily care is safe to treat
\nmild dandruff and at the same time, maintain a healthy hair look.<\/p>\n
\"Using rinse-off products such as shampoo is more practical
\nand safer to treat the dandruff and at the same time, to nourish
\nthe hair than stayed-on products like ointment because the active
\nchemicals won't penetrate into the skin,\" the pharmacist said.<\/p>\n
While in serious cases, a dermatologist will prescribe vitamin
\nB, korticosteroid oral and topical, antibiotic to treat the
\ninfection, hormonal treatment and ketoconazole to control P.
\nOvale.<\/p>\n
\"But never wait until the irritation worsens, consult with a
\ndermatologist immediately because he or she will decide the right
\ntreatment for the problem,\" Lily said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/healthy-way-of-living-helps-control-dandruff-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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