Visible head dandruff (synonyms: head dandruff; head seborrhea; pityriasis; pityriasis simplex capitis; pityriasis simplex capitis (head dandruff); seborrheic cradle cap; nausea; ICD-10 L21.0: seborrhea capitis) is dead skin cells that are shed faster than in people who do not have a dandruff problem. Dandruff is actually quite natural.
Dandruff is differentiated as follows:
- Dry dandruff – originate from dry scalp and occur more often in winter than in summer (for example, due to heated indoor air).
- Greasy dandruff – occur with oily scalp; usually the scalp is red and itchy; greasy dandruff is considered an indication of seborrheic eczema (rash)
Sex ratio: men are more often affected by greasy dandruff than women.
The prevalence (disease frequency) is 10-15% (in Germany).
Course and prognosis: It is important to find out whether head dandruff is a harmless aesthetic problem or whether the dandruff is an expression of a disease. If the dandruff is the symptom of a disease, there are usually additional complaints such as pruritus (itching) or redness of the scalp.
