Dandruff is due to the excessive shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp.

Most cases of dandruff can be easily treated with specialized shampoos

Dandruff is unlikely to be the cause of hair loss

Dandruff is not an organism like lice; it is dead skin that accumulates on the scalp.

Dandruff is global known problem and many people find that dandruff can cause social problem.

Dandruff has been shown to be the result of three required factors:

-         Skin oil commonly referred to as sebum or sebaceous secretions

-         The metabolic by-products of skin micro-organisms

-         Individual susceptibility

It was discovered  that a scalp specific fungus, Malassezia globosa, is the responsible agent. This fungus metabolizes triglycerides present in sebum by the expression of lipase, resulting in a lipid byproduct oleic acid

Rarely, dandruff can be a manifestation of an allergic reaction to chemicals in hair gels or hair oils.

There is no convincing evidence that food excessive perspiration, or climate have any role in the pathogenesis of dandruff.

Anti-fungal/anti-dandruff shampoos containing ketoconazole have been shown to be more effective than zinc pyrithione.