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Question on ecxema
Can ecxema be confused with dandruff if on the scalp?
(10 Sep 2007)
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Eczema, or seborrhoeic dermatitis, is quite common and is characterized by scaly rashes on the scalp, forehead, and sometimes the face. This condition is usually harmless and occurs where the skin is very oily. Dandruff and eczema are often confused because they look similar.
However, dandruff is a form of seborrhoeic dermatitis where there is little or no inflammation. There is no appearance of rashes in dandruff, and it usually occurs on the scalp. Dandruff appears to be scaly and occurs in patches.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis or eczema usually occurs after a person has reached puberty and may persist for years. On the scalp, eczema often occurs as dry skin that assumes a pink tinge. These patches of pink skin often have white colored scales. Eczema is also common around the eyebrows and ears. While eczema is usually caused by a yeast reaction, dandruff is simply the appearance of dead scalp skin cells. The yeast type called malassezia is often associated with the appearance of eczema. It causes an inflammatory reaction by producing toxins that end up irritating the delicate skin of the scalp. This could be caused due to a reduced resistance to infections caused by yeasts. Eczema is usually not contagious. It is also not related to the food that we eat in any way. People who have a weak immune system and those suffering from neurological or autoimmune disorders are predisposed to this condition.
Dandruff, on the other hand, is simply the visible flakes of dead skin that occur due to the renewing of the skin cells. The scalp attempts to renew itself, and when the new cells form, the dead cells on the top layer of the scalp start to shed off. The new cells keep pushing themselves up and the dead flakes of skin keep falling off. The occurrence of dandruff has been blamed on many things, fungus and yeast infections being some of them. Since the scalp is greasy, the malassezia yeast grows easily on it. The yeast feeds on the grease present on the scalp, and this produces a type of acid that triggers increased renewal of skin cells on the scalp. There have been some studies that help establish a link between increased dandruff and hormones. Dandruff is more common in men and usually begins to occur after puberty. Just like eczema, people who suffer from neurological diseases are more prone to dandruff.
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answered by G M on 1 Apr 2010, 3:06:42
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Eczema and Dandruff Advice-
1. Yes eczema can easily be confused with dandruff if on scalp. 2. The difference between the two will be that eczema will exhibit demarcation whereas dandruff is plasmodium ovale infection which is in scurf form and scratches out when combed or washed. Eczematous patch will not come out like this. It will stay in the scalp just shredding out the dead skin appearing as dandruff. 3. Eczema can exudate moisture or pus cells,whereas dandruff is mostly dry and dusty.
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answered by D M K on 14 Dec 2007, 12:05:39
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