by
The Natural Haven
By Jc of The Natural Haven
Quite often people mix up dandruff and scalp eczema. The truth is both of these conditions are very similar and they both actually share the same cause but knowing the difference between the two can greatly help to get the correct treatment and management.
Dandruff is characterised by loose skin flakes which are normally white in colour. There is also usually some itching but this is usually not very severe.
Eczema is also known medically as seborrheic dermatitis and like dandruff it is also characterised by flaking and itching. The big difference is that scalp eczema often results in greasy, yellowish flakes and the itching can be quite severe and accompanied with inflammation. Additionally if you have eczema elsewhere (under the nose, on the hands/legs etc) the likelihood is that what you may perceive as dandruff on your head may actually be eczema.
Dandruff and eczema have a similar cause and three main things create the right environment for the flaking and itching to happen:
1. Fungus: Our skin and infact our bodies are covered in bacteria and fungi both inside and out. This is perfectly normal and should not be any cause for alarm. The reason why the scalp begins to flake is that a normal fungus that is found on the skin is produced in higher amounts than normal. This fungus is known as Malassezia and it affects the scalp because its food source is a specific fat found in sebum.
2. Sebum: The fungus Malassezia uniquely prefers one specific fat in sebum known as oleic acid. By specifically choosing to consume this fat above all others in sebum, the composition of sebum is altered . This alteration is then thought to lead to the cells on the scalp losing their adhesiveness and flaking off.
3. Individual susceptibility. The fact is that some people have dandruff and some do not. Some people have eczema and others do not. For some people high levels of the fungus –Malassezia or indeed of its food source – oleic acid, does not result in dandruff. However, for others, even slight changes in the balance leads to problems.
Dandruff and scalp eczema are not linked to washing hair frequently or infrequently. Having dandruff or scalp eczema does not mean that your personal hygiene is low.
Ladies, have you confused dandruff with scalp eczema? Do you struggle with either?
References
1. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc pp 15–19, (2007).
2. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc 10:194–7 (2005)
3. Science 304:304–7 (2004)
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To prevent or reduce eczema flare-ups, avoid exposure to extreme temperatures, dry air, harsh soaps, perfumed products, and bubble baths. Use blankets and clothing made of cotton instead of more irritating fabrics, such as wool, or stiff synthetics, such as polyester. After showering or bathing, pat dry (rather than rub) so you leave a little moisture on your skin. Then apply a moisturizing cream or lotion to trap moisture in the skin. Use a humidifier to add moisture to indoor air. Here are some more tips :
http://www.skincarefeel.com/scalp-eczema-how-to-deal-with-it-effectively/
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The terms seborrheic dermatitis (SD), and eczema should not be used interchangeably. It leads to confusion and inaccuracies in information as the conditions are not one and the same. Eczema is atopic dermatitis which is a skin condition caused by the body’s immune response to contact with anything really; from soap to grass to latex to wool to sweat. It’s sometimes postulated to be an allergic response. Seborrheic dermatitis is caused specifically by the skin’s reaction to proliferation of the fungus/yeast malassezia as a result of overproduction of sebum (seborrhea) However, the exact causes of seborrhea remain unknown. But, it may the sebaceous glands reacting to the skin’s contact with anything really; from soap to grass to latex to wool to sweat. Therefore, seborrhea may also be an allergic response. So, Seborrheic dermatitis is SOMETIMES described as “a form of eczema” but eczema is never described as “a form of seborrheic dermatitis.” Make sense? For example, all apples can accurately be described as fruit but not all fruit can accurately be described as apples. Get it? Further, a swab from clean skin affected with SD and no secondary infection will grow Malassezia on appropriate medium on a Petri dish while a swab from clean skin affected with atopic dermatitis and no secondary infection will grow nothing on the same medium because they are, indeed, not the same. Anyway, great information about both conditions is available through the National Institutes of Health at nih.gov and Mayo Clinic at mayoclinic.com. I’m not trying to be an annoying know it all or bash the writer but there are people out there who are learning about one or both conditions (SD and eczema) for the first time through this article and would walk away with a profound misunderstanding of these conditions by believing they are the same and would share this misinformation with others creating a chain of misinformation. Misinformation is BAD business. Good luck everyone!
Atopic dermatitis = Eczema
Seborrheic dermatitis = Dandruff
Get your facts straight! I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with Dandruff (Seborrheic dermatitis) so I know this for a fact! What I don’t understand is how come no one did a quick google search to check your facts.
After I saw that error I stopped reading because it only left me to wonder what other errors are in there!
I don’t know for sure that I have eczema on my scalp- my dermatologist never did say what it specifically was, but I found that as soon as I did an ACV rinse, the sever itching on my scalp, neck and the tops of my ears immediately- and I do mean immediately- stopped. Prior to that it felt like my scalp was on fire and I felt every single strand of hair where it touched it. Since then, I’ve done two more ACV rinses (each time with slightly less vinegar, as I used it in a very high ratio the first time- I was desperate! But I don’t want to hurt my hair either) and I noticed a massive reduction in itching overall. The only thing with my condition, is that I wasn’t really seeing flakes per-say, I was just itching. I had a tiny bit of flakiness, literally a tiny bit- and only in some places, and then nothing… just a fierce itching. So it may have been a fungal thing, that is now under control thanks to the ACV, but please do give it a try if you’re suffering- I looked all over the internet for something that would help me, and this was it. I used a 1 part ACV to 3 parts water mixture the first time, followed by a 1 part ACV to like, 12 parts water, then a 1 tbsp ACV to a whole cup of water. HTH!
If you have eczema, are think you could be prone, find an SLS free shampoo.As many of us wash our hair in showers there is an increased risk of exposure to aggressive irritants from over the counter shampoos, most regular brands.
This is one of the most common contributors to eczema flareups!,
Jane
great post! I have been diagnosed with SD by my dermatologist, and after using lots of prescription shampoos and lotions, I have found that bentonite clay/ACV works wonders for my flare ups. I know it is a struggle, and I hope that everyone suffering with this condition finds what works for them. I also treat it as an allergy, which is only to say that I limit harsh chemicals that are likely to cause it to flare. Thanks for bringing this topic to light.
I’ve known I had eczema since I was very young. It started on my back and neck, and it was a delicate balance to keep my skin happy with out meds. The Dr told my mother to keep me away from certain food and keep me my skin hydrated. It also kinda help I lived in a high humidity climate. As a teen I rarely suffered an episode. As an adult I noticed splotches on my face, went to the dermatologist. Guess what eczema and was told if you have it its all over the body scalp too. My flares are cause by not enough water intake and dry heat. I have to keep my skin dry and well lotioned (there’s the odd balance)
Ive never heard in my case about bacteria imbalance, nor my sons. And between my son and I the actual “rash” looks different. I have spots that flare up and flake and he has bumps all over his body and over active hair folicals.
My point is eczema is different for everyone as well as the causes and relief, there is no cure, and only a dermotologist can tell you for sure if you dandruff is infact that, or eczema.
my derm Rx Nizoral shampoo to cut down on the yeast which feed on sebum. ACv and the like are not going to do that, so if this is truly your problem, you need a anti-yeast solution. i do not know if cutting them in your diet will accomplish this.
JC- Thanks as always for your well-researched and referenced articles. I always like facts with my science.
I wonder if you could expand a little more on eczema and hair loss? I have had eczema all my life but recently noticed a spot on my scalp where the hair has fallen out, although I had noticed extreme itching in that spot before. Thankfully, my hair is very dense and my dermatologist prescribed meds (eczema meds) for it but any additional resources would be helpful. Thanks!
Thanks for the compliment Lu. I am glad that you are seeing a dermatologist because this is the best way to monitor and treat eczema.
The hair loss/thinning with scalp eczema is related to severe itching. This itching can lead to manual pulling of hair which leads to unintentional loss of hair. Eczema is well studied in children who often unlike adults can severely pull out alot of hair. However, most case reports from doctors show that once treatment is given to treat eczema, the hair regrows as normal.
Although my hair has grown back in those spots the hair is also thinner and more sparse. I have to be extra gentle with the hair in those areas. The length is fine but I am almost sure that the hair follicles have shrunken because of the severe itching and use of steroid creams on my scalp.
ACV with tea tree oil worked a lot for me if your hair can handled being washed with shampoo. I poured it over my scalp and let it sit for about an hour then rinsed it off. It didn’t remove the build up so I had to shampoo it as well as to get out the smell. It really made a difference though. Normally I have to wash my hair once a week but I was able to make it to two weeks. The only problem is my hair is very weak. Shampoo…even gentle shampoo…dries it out. So the acv plus shampooing even with a pre poo is a no go for me. I am going to try it again with a pre-poo, ACV rinse (only on scalp), then a co-wash with a very light conditioner and see what happens. I normally don’t like co-washing because good moisturizing conditioners don’t remove the build up AND leave awful buildup. The one I have now sucks for moisturizing but doesnt dry out my hair as bad as shampoos. It removes the build up pretty well but the problem is that if I don’t COMPLETELY remove conditioner it will cause build up. I managed to do it washing my hair in sections but I have to put a lot on my hair to get a good scrub in so it takes a lot of time to wash out. And woe to me if I miss a spot. So this is a process. If anyone has any simpler solutions please let me know. I would like to run my fingers through my hair without having a snow shower.
Question: Have you determined that the flakes that you have are dandruff flakes nothing else, like build or products that don mix well?
As for the ACV it helped for me but I heard that the best way to get the best use out of it is to use it at least 3 days in a row. Apparently you apply it to your scalp leave it for 10 minutes and then wash it out and do that for 3 days straight. I don’t know for certain if that really cause a great difference but I find that once I avoid mineral oil and petroleum oil in the products I used and do an apple cider rinse at the end of my wash process (after conditioner), I have a lot less of an issue. But with the rinse I apply to the strands and the scalp because the great affect of on my hair, much less I hear that Vinegar is good at removing mineral deposits from water (even more beneficial for people with hard water).
I also hear that rosemary rinses also aid with dandruff (do be warn it is not suitable for pregnant women or people who suffer from seizures ), it must be diluted do extremely whether your boil the dry herb or the fresh. If you let it sit too long you must dilute the water it was boiled in with at least 10 times the amount of fresh water.
JC,
Can you explain how the same cause produces two different conditions? Is it due to the bodies response to these causes? Is there a reason why some people get dandruff and others get scalp eczema?
Eczema is thought to have a hereditary component. If there is a familial history of eczema (and also asthma and hayfever) then it is possible that future generations will have it.
Although dandruff and eczema share the same etiology (i.e causing factors), they are different because as individuals we have different genes and different production levels of sebum as well as reactions to changes to sebum and fungal activity. Some people never have dandruff, some have it once in a while, others have chronic dandruff. Some people have eczema but others do not.
I have dandruff; my scalp begins itching a flaking just a day or two after washing. I’ve stopped oiling my scalp in the hopes that will cut down on the flake build-up, but so far I don’t see a difference.
Is it true that tea tree oil helps with dandruff/itchy scalp?
Thanks for the question, I just learned something new because I looked this up.
Yes one study showed that tea tree oil helps with itchiness in about 40% of the cases. It is not shown to improve flaking. (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 47, Issue 6 , Pages 852-855, December 2002)
Other studies seem to indicate tea tree oil has antifungal properties.
Also note as a microbial, science journal (since I have been burned for not using my science journals first)
http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/content/45/5/639.full
Other info confirming the usage for dandruff and other uses(Hosted by National Institutes of Health):
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/tea/treeoil.htm
The first one looks worth the effort you have taken to caputre it. My favourite this time is of course the second one which at the first glance seemed to me like a bouquet or something. Nature is full of such magic!
I have had seborrheic dermatitis for many years. In general what works for me is washing once a week (too much washing and too little washing causes flare ups), never oiling my scalp, never letting my scalp stay wet for long periods of time and a prescription foam steroid called Luxiq (it’s pretty pricey but keeps things under control). I use a coal tar shampoo about once a month but I’m careful to only get it on my scalp, not my hair. My hair growth isn’t affected by it at all.
What is the best way to control scalp eczema?
You best bet to ask your dermatologist. Each person causes varies. They need to determine the cause eczema and treat according. But be careful often the primary prescribed medicine is known to be steroid creme, which most popular side affect is thinning skin. You also have to keep a proper dryness to moisture balance which is dependant on the type of eczema and it severity.
You are so right about the steroids, and the fact is that do not work. What i mean by this is that, they will work when you are using them but once you stop it comes back(they just suppress), so you can end up being dependent on them. I used it on and off over a 4yr period before I refused to use them any longer, which was 3yrs ago. Till date I can’t use any type of deodorant for my armpits, it will burn and my scalp cant even take any heat it becomes inflamed.
IMO, ask your doctor about photo-therapy and moisturizers(emollients) that can be used to descale the crusts and coal tar+mild steroid creams that can be used to calm down the scalp when there is a flareup. The link below also provides useful info.
http://www.hairlosslondon.org.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/midkent?opendocument&part=3
There is a post coming up on this but as hyspin said, the best thing to do with eczema is to see a dermatologist.
I see a dermatologist and was prescribed a bethmethasone valerate foam which is a corticosteroid. It’s made for the scalp but I was also instructed to put it on any flare up. I do not have to use it every day and usually clears my flare ups in two to three days using only at night. In addition, at the spots where I know I usually have flare ups I moisturize with Aquaphor. I drink plenty of water just to help with overall hydration; the more hydrated I am the less itchy I feel.
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This was very helpful, I have actually wondered why my “dandruff” had gotten so bad. Now though, I wonder if there is any treatment advice you could add to the article? I think a lot of mine developed from when I used to have treated hair. (I now have locs) I also now use natural products and focus more on moisture. Any advice though?
Does eczema affect hair growth in any way?
Great question! In general no it does not affect hair growth. However, some people can experience severe inflammation and itching which can then lead to hair loss (usually in a small patch where the eczema is present).
Though I have scalp psoriasis(or Seborrhoeic dermatitis/eczema/psoriasis depending on doctor)it can present and affect similar to eczema. It does not affect growth, however it can cause mild to severe thinning. I had to shave off all my hair 3 different times within a 4yr period due to severe flare-ups.
I can speak from experience having experienced eczema (S.D) for years. Whenever it “acts up” I have realized that my hair growth is virtually impossible. Instead my hair is trashy and tears out easily and I am unable to use oil based hair products. Additionally, wherever I may have those greasy yellowish flakes the hair basically tears out, leaving a patch. Are there any products you could recommend that would not cause the outbreak to worsen? Trust me, I need suggestions, my patience is wearing thin after nearly 20 years of this condition.
you could try over the counter hydrocortisone. (I have eczema as well) now, it may be too weak but it may also provide some type of relief. when i go to my derm, they give me a steroid gel to apply to my scalp but its also drying. just make sure you have a clean scalp and then apply the ointment sparingly in those spots. i’ve run out of my gel and its what im doing now to stop itch.
i definitely feel your pain because i suffered from itch and patches of bald spots for years before i got it under control.
they have stuff at the drug stores like scalpicin but i find its BURNS so badly because i had been scratching.. its too much alcohol in it.
This describes exactly what happens when I have a flare-up and it is not contained early. These are the steps I would suggest
1) De-flake- Apply an emollient (Epaderm is one) to soften the scales/flakes and help remove them, try to make sure it is actually on your scalp and not hair (I used to have a nurse apply it for me), massage it lightly and leave overnight
2)Shampoo- Rinse off emollient(no need for shampoo, as it is soapy)and put shampoo on your scalp for some minutes(my Derm makes a mix for me which I think is black soap mixed with honey, but I recently tried Curls clarifying shampoo and it worked). If your hair is long enough you might want to condition the length of your hair as well, but please make sure the conditioner DOES NOT come in contact with your scalp
3) Moisturize- This is the tricky part. you might have to use steroid such as the one suggested by Valerie, but use in very small quantity and massage in very well (I know your scalp wont like oils at this point, but try mixing a little hempseed oil with it, I am experimenting with it now and it’s the first oil in over 6yrs that my scalp is not screaming at)
4)Styling- try to avoid cornrows, flat-twists, weaves or any styles that will be too much tension(style your hair yourself as much as possible cos only you know when the tension is just right). I mentioned, cornrows, flat-twists specifically because these styles will have your product laden hair rubbing against your scalp which might irritate it. Also extensions have chemicals in them, so be careful with them as well. Also if you baggy (misting of hair and then wrapping it under caps/saran wrap etc.) try and avoid it for now, as excessive moisture/oils could exacerbate the outbreak)
5) The steroid should only be a temporary measure, being dependent on steroids will lead to thinning and a very sensitive scalp. So when it calms down try massaging with only your natural sebum or experiment with mixes (hempseed/mineral oil, sulphur ointment and miconazole nitrate is one I am experimenting with now). Hempseed oil because its non-comedogenic , miconazole nitrate/ketaconazole because of ‘suspected’ links between Malassezia and SB. Sulphur is anti-fungal as well. The mineral oil is non-comedogenic and can help soften scales as a pre-shampoo.
Try and repeat this process as often as possible till it calms down and then reduce to washing at least once a week(clean scalp is of paramount importance). When the scales have reduced/or emollient isn’t effective, you can try Coconut oil compound ointments such as Cococis (They are usually a combination of coal tar, salicylic acid and sulphur) in place of the emollient. If it doesn’t improve try asking your doctor about photo-therapy and pulse treatment options.
You are so right about the lack of growth when there is a severe flare. The scalp is usually so inflamed that it will need some time to heal and repair before hair can grow back/come through. Last time I had to BC, it took 6months to achieve half of an inch on my head. The first 2pics show me at 4months post BC and the other one is 2.5yrspost BC (you can see some thin areas and my hair has about 50% of its original density now, which is why I am grateful for 4C hair as it camouflages)
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/hairloss1-1.jpg[/img]
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/hairloss3.jpg[/img]
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Thining2-2.jpg[/img]
I posted this on a different article last month but I’ll repost here with hopes that it’ll help others out. I alternate between ketoconazole and ciclopirox (both prescription anti fungals) shampoos about every 2 weeks. I wash my scalp every 3-6 days (usually 4) depending on how much I sweat during my 6 day a week workouts and whether I’ve been swimming. During really bad flare ups I use ciclopirox olamine cream on affected areas. Be wary of the “oil your dry scalp” or “massage ‘insert name here’ oil/butter into your scalp” suggestions. Aside from certain esters and essential oils like tea tree, lavender, and others, most oils and butters touted by naturals just feed the malassezia furfur and exacerbate symptoms. Malassezia furfur is an opportunistic yeast that feeds off of the excess sebum on your scalp causing flaking and irritation. Grapeseed, olive, castor, and coconut oils along with shea butter and many others are high in oleic and fatty acids. Oleic and fatty acids are not “bad” for you per se, but sebum is also high in oleic and fatty acids which means these oils mimic your natural sebum by feeding the malassezia. Seborrhea just means there’s an overproduction of sebum in the affected area. So, providing more “food” doesn’t fix the issue; it makes it SO much worse. If you are going to use oils at all, put them only on your strands NOT your scalp. Individuals without skin conditions may be able get away with using oils liberally, but I urge those individuals with SD to avoid greasing/buttering/oiling their affected scalp and skin entirely. Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic (life long) condition. It doesn’t go away. You just manage syptoms by reducing/controlling/ceasing flare ups. Be wary, too, of topical corticosteriods such as the often prescribed clobetasol propionate (Clobex) and desonide which may reduce symptoms for a while but their long term use has been known to do some pretty awful damage to skin and they lose their effectiveness over time. I’ve found them harsh on my skin and ineffective on my flakes. Some naturals have complained that ciclopirox (Loprox) shampoo can loosen the curl pattern a bit. I have noticed the tiniest bit of loosening of my curls but, to be honest, if you would’ve called my curls “4c” before Loprox, you’d still call them “4c” today, after nearly a year of twice weekly use. I know of naturals who’ve stopped using it for this reason but I’ll always place the health of my skin over the looks of my hair so I continue to use it. Also, I found that no-pooing and co-washing do not get my scalp anywhere near clean enough to treat SD and the flakes will take over my whole face if I don’t treat them. I was diagnosed with SD in 2004 at age 18 after spending my whole life believing my scalp was either a parched desert or perpetually filthy. About a year ago, I found a great dermatologist and together we worked out a regimen that works for me. I haven’t seen a SINGLE FLAKE in 7 months. Different stuff works for different people but I’ve found that applying medicated shampoos and creams to a sqeaky clean scalp and avoiding oils and product build up has worked best for me. Work with your dermatologist and if he/she sucks find a new one until you figure out what works best for you. It may take a while. Best of luck to all of you!!!
How does lack of water & excess sugar intake affect dandruff and/or eczema? I’ve been wondering about that lately.
Well lack of water could contribute to eczema but allow to skin to get dry is more the culprit. Also certain irritants also can result in eczema. But here a kicker apparently eczema can so bad to cause weeping eczema. Which results in a whole different approach to to eczema and can spread to health skin if the weeping (water secretions) starts to spread. But eczema is not only flacking it can be pumps or a rash so it not so easy to narrow out based off of flaking skin. But flaking is an good indicator that it had or has gotten really bad and should be treated.
I have not seen studies linking dandruff or eczema to not taking in water or taking excess sugar. In fact I actually found a recent German study that showed that sugar intake did not aggravate eczema (Acta Derm Venereol 2001; 81: 282–284)
I have seen however studies which link flare ups of dandruff and eczema to psychological stress and allergies (e.g milk and eggs). A dermatologist should be able to give you a full allergy test if you think that your eczema or dandruff is related to a food allergy.
While dandruff and eczema are characterised by flaking dry skin, it is important to remember the role of the fungus (or more appropriately the fungal balance, since having fungus on skin is not abnormal) on skin. I always try to take the conversation back to fungus because it is the best medical evidence currently.
I always take it back to what you use on your skin out of personal and through friends experiences. I find often the things that you allow to be rub into the skin, stress and sometimes food allergies can cause the onset of a flare up. Not necessarily fungus. My dermatologist and Doctor both noted that people with child Asthma have a higher chance of the onset of eczema. She mention also the house holds with Cats ( I think it is their saliva I am guessing) can make eczema suffers situation worst.
In my case my eczema was brought on by contact dermatitis and extremely dry skin. Stress and and certain preservatives have made it worse in the pass.
Do note I am not saying fungus cannot cause it (it can) but I know a whole lot of other more common causes of sudden flare up eczema. Luckily I haven’t gotten eczema on the scalp.
If I may, the body is able to regulate fungus on the body which prevents overloads causing eczema and other fungus ailments such as yeast infections and thrush. Sometimes the body is unable to regulate fungus when the immune system is lowered (i.e. cancer and other immune-suppresant diseases, being sick, certain medications, stress, allergies, etc.) and that is when eczema can flare and become noticeable when it otherwise was not. So it is caused by fungus.
My child has Crohn’s Disease and when she had a flare up, she was “blessed” with both thrush and a yeast infection. That’s when we got our explanation on fungus and the body.
Study link: Second last paragraph:
http://www.dermatitisfacts.com/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/atopic-dermatitis-microorganisms-role.php
“Malassezia is also active in promoting a variety of inflammatory responses, such as, by stimulating keratinocytes. However, antifungal studies have not been able to find the clinical significance of malassezia induced allergy in eczema.”
next link
“Eczema is not a fungal infection
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition. It is in no way related to fungi, however a fungal infection may develop on top of the weakened eczema skin. As the conditions are unrelated they require different treatments. Fungal conditions respond quickly to good hygiene, dry conditions and antifungal creams”
All the other studies I found only showed that the Malassezia was higher by eczema prone skin (but only for head neck and shoulder regions) and cause reactions to worsen to already atopic dermatitis but whether it caused is still up for discussion. So in the end it still under discussion. One even mention that the steroid and the over use of antibiotics cause the fungus to grow like crazy.
So I am still going with can.
Also a lot of fungal infections look like eczema and dermatitis but are not necessarily the same thing nor will be treated or cured the same way. Think of it of a female heart attack often the symptoms of a womans heart attack could be easily mistaken for indigestion, tiredness, and stress, in some cases because the pain is always the notorius Crushing chest pain which most people associate with a heart attack.
sorry correction:
” in some cases because the pain is always the notorius Crushing chest pain which most people associate with a heart attack.”
change to
“in some cases, because the pain is NOT always the notorius Crushing chest pain which most people associate with a heart attack”.
Hyspin – I know that comments can easily be misinterpreted so please know that I am not being condescending to you. I do have to put you on the spot because the websites you have given are really poor in terms of science.
1. Have you noticed that the websites that you give have no single actual reference to a scientific journal?
2. How do you know the information you are reading is factual and researched? Where are the studies that are quoted?
I referenced this paper in the article above
http://www.nature.com/jidsp/journal/v12/n2/full/5650049a.html
I will quote the first line of this paper
‘Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis (D/SD) share an etiology dependent upon three factors: sebum, microbial metabolism (specifically, Malassezia yeasts), and individual susceptibility.’
There are cross references in this publication to two other papers that discuss the similarity in scalp eczema and dandruff – Gupta AK, Bluhm R, Cooper EA, Summerbarr RZ, Batra R (2003) Seborrheic dermatitis. Dermatol Clin 21:401–412 and Pierard Franchimont CJ, Hermanns JF, Degreef H, Pierard GE (2000) From axioms to new insights into dandruff. Dermatology 200:93–98
The inflammation found in eczema is what makes it different from dandruff. However the itching and flaking is known to be linked to fungal activity (NOT fungal infection per se because it is normal to have fungus on skin, so the presence of fungus in itself is not an infection, it is actually fungal activity that needs to be controlled). The inflammation in eczema may also require additional treatment (do note that scalp eczema is often treated with an antifungal first).
The role of fungus in skin diseases as well as normal human body function is of such importance that the genome for the fungus has actually been studied in one of the leading journals in research (i.e Science – again the journal is referenced in this article).
Siri is right, depressed immunity such as HIV infection infact is known to lead to increased fungal activity and increased likelihood of scalp eczema. There is a strong link to the role of fungus in eczema.
Yes and that is noted but all I am saying that just their is fungus doesn’t mean that that was the direct cause of the infection. It like have a wound infected just because a lot of untreated wounds can be infect doesn’t mean that is what cause the wound. All the science journal prove so far is correlation. But as scientist or researcher do note that “correlation doesn’t equate to causation”.
okay if I need to quote a medical journal so be it.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11979041
“. to AEDS and in what proportion they share allergens remains to be clarified.”
And from the new zealand Dermalogical society incorporated
http://dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/atopic-causes.html
The say that bacteria, infection and fungal are contributors which making the fungal not primary contributor.
So again yet again I say “Do note I am not saying fungus cannot cause it (it can)” (my Third comment which is just below my second comment in this thread)
I just wanted to reply based on experience. I have had eczema all my life and I have found when my diet is not up to par it is worse for me especially when I took in a lot of sugar. I think ultimately when your feeding your body the right nutrients your way better off and that sugar in excess can make your eczema worse.
That so very true. I actually have to work on that sugar is my dietary down fall. But luckily my Doctor has found that my blood sugar level is normal, YES, thank goodness for drinking a lot of water with my sugary snacks.
I must agree – when I intake too many sugar and white carbs it flares up pretty badly. But when I stay away from them, all is completely well! This is kinda cool in a way since we shouldn’t be eating too many carbs and sugar anyhow. All that processed food is just terrible for the body in so many ways.