Dandruff is very common and is also caused by a fungus. It is usually mild and presents with fine flakes of skin on the scalp, in the hair and on clothing over the shoulders. Mild dandruff does not need treatment although it often improves with a change of shampoo. Treatment is needed if the dandruff becomes severe, the scalp becomes very itchy or red, or the scales become thick and greasy (seborrhoeic eczema). Dandruff usually recurs throughout life. People with dandruff often have greasy skin.
Treat with selenium sulphide (Selsun) or ketoconozole (Nizshampoo) or zinc pyrethium (Selsun Blue; Head and Soulders) or tar shampoos. To remove thick scales, 2 to 10% salicylic cream can be applied for 2 hours in infants or overnight in older children before being washed off with shampoo.