Pityriasis capitis

Arrese, J.E., Pierard-Franchimont, C., De Doncker, P., Heremans, A., Cauwenbergh, G., and Pierard, G.E. Effect of ketoconazole-medicated shampoo on squamometry and Malassezia ovalis load in pityriasis capitis. Cutis 58, 235-237 (1996). 

This chapter covers the common scalp conditions that pharmacists are likely to encounter dandruff (pityriasis capitis), seborrhoeic dermatitis, cradle cap, scalp psoriasis and scalp ringworm (tinea capitis). Head lice, another common scalp problem, is covered in Chapter 17. 

Dandruff (pityriasis capitis) is a chronic, non-inflammatory condition due to a naturally increased rate of horny substance production and cell turnover on the scalp. 

Psoriasis and eczema Unna used it in ointments of 10-20% to treat psoriasis, and from 2% to treat pityriasis capitis and seborrheic eczema. 

Selenium sulfide is a cytostatic and sporicidal agent available without prescription in a variety of shampoos and lotions for treatment of scalp seborrheic dermatitis. Higher concentrations are available by prescription for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor, which is caused by the yeast M. furfur, and tinea capitis. 

Dandruff (seborrhea sicca, pityriasis sicca, or sicca capitis) has been dehned by Khgman as chronic noninflammatory scaling of the scalp [159], as observed clinically. This deflnition allows clinicians to differentiate between dandruff and other scaly scalp diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Others have demonstrated histologically that inflammation does exist in the upper dermis in dandruff [160] and it is clear that inflammation is critical to the development and the treatment of dandruff. Nevertheless, these facts do not negate or reduce the utihty of Kligman s deflnition of dandruff for chnical evaluation. 

---