Dandruff of the Head (Pityriasis Simplex Capitis): Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps:

  • General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further:
    • Inspection (viewing).
      • Scalp [redness]
      • Skin [weeping skin areas, pustules (pus accumulation in the skin), seborrhea (increased sebum production)]
      • Hairiness [alopecia androgenetica (hormone-related hair loss)]
  • Dermatological examination [due todifferential diagnoses:
    • Allergic contact dermatitis (inflammation and scaling of the scalp caused by various substances to which the body is allergic).
    • Mycoses (fungal diseases) of the scalp.
    • Atopic eczema (neurodermatitis; skin disease with scaly, weeping skin and severe pruritus (itching)).
    • Psoriasis (psoriasis)
    • Seborrheic eczema (rash with scaling and oily scalp)]

    [due topossible secondary diseases:

    • Inflammation of the scalp
    • Skin lesions due to increased scratching
    • Recurrent dandruff (dandruff reappears after cessation of therapy).
    • Increased itching]

Square brackets [ ] indicate possible pathological (pathological) physical findings.