Therapeutic target
Normalization of the scalp
Therapy recommendations
- Use of shampoos with active ingredients indicated below.
- Antibiotics or antifungals for infected scalp.
- See also under “Further therapy“.
Active substances (main indication)
There are many different substances that are designed to reduce dandruff.
Most shampoos contain the following active ingredients against dandruff:
- Tar distillates
- Salicylic acid
- Sulfur
- Selenium disulfide
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are drugs that are administered when an infection with a bacterium is present. They act either bacteriostatic, by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, or bactericidal, which means that they kill the bacteria. Important representatives of this group of drugs are penicillin or cephalosporins.Antibiotics can be used for dandruff if its cause is a severe bacterial inflammation of the scalp.
Antifungals
Antifungals are medications prescribed for fungal infections. They include, most notably, itraconazole or griseofulvin. Local fungal infections, such as those of the scalp, are treated with topical (locally applied) preparations.
