Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Health Watch, we’re talking about keeping your skin healthy. Winter can be troublesome because the combination of dry, cold air outdoors and dry, warm air indoors can sap the moisture from your skin. When the skin of your scalp dries out, this can lead to dandruff.
You get the white flakes of dandruff when dead skin cells on the scalp shed excessively. Dr. Paul Bergstresser professor of dermatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says there’s no cure for dandruff, but it can be managed using medicated shampoos, especially those containing tar. These shampoos restore the moisture balance in the scalp, which reduces flaking. If you still have flaking and itching or if there’s redness and scaly patches on your face, eyelashes or eyebrows, you may need to see a dermatologist for more intense treatment.
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March 2007
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