Dandruff Symptoms

Medical professionals and skin specialists called dermatologists commonly refer to dandruff as seborrhea or seborrheic dermatitis. The signs and symptoms include:

• White flakes on shoulders of dark clothing



• Itchy scalp



• Dry facial skin



• Recurrent ear "eczema"



• Facial rash by eyebrows, nose, and ears



• Oily scalp and facial skin with dry flakes



• Eyebrow dandruff



• Beard dandruff



• Chest rash with dry flakes and red spots

One of the most common and often the first symptom of dandruff can be white flakes on dark clothes. Scalp itching may be another common first symptom. In some, the initial noticeable symptom is simply dry facial skin without any other rashes. Patients may see their physician complaining of dry skin that fails to respond to daily lotions and creams. Often they have used every lotion and potion possible from the drugstore or more expensive department stores. Frequently this is caused by undiagnosed scalp dandruff that is causing problems "downstream" on the face.

Dandruff can be located anywhere on the body that has any type of hair follicles. It is most typically found on the scalp, ears, face, and middle of the chest. Seborrhea is not seen on the palms and soles where there are no hair follicles.