Statistical and mycologic studies on dandruff

Jung, Hyeon Joo; Kim, Do Won; Jun, Jae Bok; Chung, Sang Lip

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggested that Pityrosporum may play an important role in the pathogenesis of dandruff.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to study the statistical and mycobgic findings of dandruff in normal subjects for better understanding of this condition. MEHTODS: Scales frorn the scalp of 384 students were studied stastistically by answer sheets and clinically by a dermatologist. Mycologic studies of Pityrosporum were also performed by direct smear, culture and inoculation to guinea pigs.
RESULTS
There were 76.0% subjects with dandruff. Clinically grading the subjects by Kligrnan's scale, grade III and IV(mild caling) were the most. Dandruff developed commonly at the age of 14 to 16, and no seasonal change was observed. Spores of Pityrosporum were observed in all subjects by KOH microscopic examination with Cohens method, and the grading of the dandruff was not related with the number of the spores. In most subjects, P. orbiculare and P. ovae were found together. Positive culture colonies were observed in 93.7%. Inoculation of the cultured colonies to guinea pigs resulted in an experimental dermatitis.
CONCLUSION
Our study shows that Pityrosporum may involve in the pathogenesis of dandruff; however, it is still unclear whether Pityrosporum is a main causative agent of dandruff.