A better option for treatment of dandruff

Dandruff is a chronic scaly and itchy condition of the scalp accompanied by excessive flaking or shedding of the skin. It is one of the most common dermatological problems and is estimated to affect 50 percent of people in the United States at any given time.

Although the exact etiology of dandruff is not fully understood, dermatologists agree that it is associated with factors such as stress, climate, hormone production and diet.

However, fungi, specifically the Malassezia sp. or its yeast form, play an important role in the pathogenesis of dandruff. These yeasts, which feed on sebum, are found naturally in the human skin but they are more concentrated in areas where there is a higher production of sebum such as the scalp.

They produce acids and other byproducts as they eat sebum, which, in turn, irritate the skin, resulting in an increased rate of shedding and flaking of dead skin cells.

According to dermatologists, the fungi and its yeast form are difficult, if not impossible to eradicate. But they can be controlled with the use of anti-fungal agents such as ciclopirox olamine.

The effect of ciclopirox olamine in the treatment of dandruff was compared to that of the more popular ketoconazole in a study involving 64 Koreans experiencing mild to moderate dandruff. This study was conducted by Dr. Kwan Hyun Cho of the Seoul National University.

Results of the study showed that both compounds caused a progressive and rapid decline in dandruff severity. Both compounds were also observed to prevent the recurrence of dandruff during the post-treatment period.

However, the study noted that ciclopirox olamine shampoo has a higher cosmetic acceptability than ketoconazole. Unlike other dandruff shampoos, ciclopirox olamine does not cause hair dryness, unpleasant odor and discomfort.

It also does not alter treated (permed and dyed) hair, thus providing an improved option in the management and treatment of dandruff among the more demanding and trendy patients.

According to Kwan, ciclopirox olamine is a broad-spectrum fungicide found to inhibit the growth of dermatophytes, yeasts, dimorphic fungi, eumycetes and actinomycetes.

Previous studies have shown that it also effectively treats other fungal infections such as tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis, cutaneous candidiasis, pityriasis versicolor, onychomycosis, and scalp and facial seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Ciclopirox olamine shampoo is marketed in the Philippines under the brand name Stieprox manufactured by Stiefel Phils. Inc.

To know more about dandruff and Stieprox, visit your dermatologist or call Stiefel Phils. Inc. at 1-800-10-STIEFEL (provincial) or 635-7346 (Metro Manila), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, or e-mail [email protected].