Steroids for seborrheic dermatitis
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This article was written by Dr. Jeff Donovan, a Canadian and US board certified dermatologist specializing exclusively in hair loss.
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Continuing with our theme this week of fungus, we will focus on seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. These are extremely common scaly scalp conditions. A fungus known as "Malassezia" is now believed to play a key role in seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.
Most human beings are covered in Malassezia. It's just part of being human and living on planet Earth.
Only in a minority of people do these fungi cause any sort of health problems.
Malassezia were originally discovered by the French scientist Louis Charles Malassez in the late 1800's. There are now recognized to be 14 types of Malassezia. For trivia lovers, Malassezia globosa (mainly) and Malassezia restricta (less so) are the most common causes of seborrheic dermatitis.
Malassezia are difficult to culture so one can not simply send samples off to the lab. These fungi need fats and lipids to survive - so they live in areas of the body rich in sebaceous (oil) glands such as the scalp and face.
Anti-dandruff shampoos are generally quite effective in killing these fungi. Common ingredients in shampoos include ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulphide and ciclopirox.
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
Scalp fungal infections, also known as "tinea capitis", can be acquired from human to human transmission, or from animals or soil. In different areas of the world, the main agent causing tinea capitis differs.
The family pet is one potential source. Dogs, cats, and guinea pigs can transmit infection - mostly among children. Any child with suspected tinea capitis should have a skin scraping to determine the infective agent. Is the infection coming from another child? a pet? the soil? Treatments can be differ slightly depending on the cause.
A infective dermatophyte fungus known as Microsporum canis is the most common fungal agent transmitted by dogs. Even if the dog has no signs of skin or fur problems, transmission to humans can still take place.
In some areas of Europe, Microsporum canis is the number one cause of tinea capitis. In North America, tinea capitis in children is most often caused by another fungus known as Trichophyton tonsurans. Some Microsporum canis infections in children have the potential to be highly inflammatory and can cause discomfort and pain. Rapid treatment with oral antifungal agents is needed to prevent permanent scarring in children. Topical antifungals and topical antifungal shampoos are not effective. Oral agents are mandatory.
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I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
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How does one acquire a scalp fungal infection?
Here are a few pointers about scalp fungal infections. Fungal infections of the scalp are broadly known as "tinea capitis." These types of infections are a lot more common in children than in adults. In fact, when I identify tinea capitis in adults I'm often a bit concerned about the overall state of that patient's immune system or some other reason that would predispose them to a fungal infection. Tinea capitis is rare in adults.
A number of different types of fungi can cause tinea capitis. They are typically caused by fungi called dermatophytes rather than other fungi that can invade the body. An individual can acquire tinea capitis from another person (and these fungal organisms are known as "anthrophilic") or from an animal such as a dog, cat or horse (these fungal organisms are called "zoophilic"). Rarely an individual can acquire tinea capitis from fungi living in the soil (and these are typically from fungi known as "geophilic" fungi). Tinea capitis acquired from the soil is not very common. Organisms such as Microsporum gypseum and Microsporum fulvum are the more common causes of geophilic tinea capitis.
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I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
Measurement of hair cortisol levels in the 3 cm of hair closest to the skin surface provides some degree of quantification of 'stress exposure' of an animal over the previous 3 months.
Measurements of hair cortisol have been used to assess stress exposure in humans as well as animals in the wild and captivity. Even the cortisol levels in the feathers of birds provides an indication of a bird's stress exposures.
Measurements of hair cortisol in humans are not yet standard but do provide a semi quantitative assessment of stress. Hair cortisol levels may even be predict of the chances of having a heart attack. Standardization is important is these tests are not become more mainstream. The amount of times that one washes his or her hair can influence cortisol measurements. Nevertheless, there is some degree of correlation between the stresses human beings experience and the level of cortisol ultimately measured in their hair.
More studies are needed to determine how to reliably measure hair cortisol and the implications of such measurements on human health and disease.
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
I posted an answer to a new question on Realself.com
