What is dandruff?

Dandruff is a skin condition characterized by the appearance of flakes of dead skin from the scalp in the hair. The sensation of itchiness in areas of the scalp is a common symptom of this condition. The condition is not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), approximately 50% of the world's population suffers from dandruff, and it can be treated and managed, with effective dandruff treatment.

Dandruff is a scaly skin disorder of the scalp. It is an extremely common scalp condition (it affects up to 40% of the human population worldwide), though it is comparatively harmless, except for its role in hair loss and acne (pimples). Research shows that dandruff can alter the hair cycle, causing hair loss.

While the disorder is termed as dandruff in adolescents and adults, in babies, the condition is called cradle cap.

Alopecia areata is one of the most common forms of hair loss, where hair falls out in round patches. Hair can fall out from the scalp or anywhere else from the body. These patches may appear suddenly, or in a relatively short span of time.

The condition, though benign in most cases, can be the reason for tremendous emotional and psychosocial stress in affected individuals. In children, it can often be intense and emotionally devastating. Some children tend to isolate themselves from their family, friends and others, or appear withdrawn, shy, and reserved.

Although hair loss may seem to be a more prominent problem among men, women are nearly as likely to lose hair. Earlier, women started showing signs of hair loss in their 50s. However, they are now experiencing it at a much younger age, due to a variety of reasons.

Androgenic alopecia, or male-pattern baldness, is responsible for the vast majority of hair loss in men. The condition is characterised by a typical pattern of receding hairline at the temples and hair thinning at the crown. It can even progress to partial or complete baldness in some cases.

Trichotillomania - Overview

Trichotillomania is a condition that causes hair loss in patches. In this condition, the hair does not fall out on its own, but is pulled out by the patient in response to some emotional stress. It is a type of impulse disorder. Just as some people have a tendency to bite their fingernails or pick their skin when stressed, patients of trichotillomania end up pulling their own hair out.