Nikki A. Levin, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA. Note: The author reported no actual or potential ...
If the diagnosis is still in doubt, skin scrapings may be sent for fungal culture, keeping in mind that Malassezia will only grow on a lipid-containing medium, such as Leeming and Notman agar.
On average, 50% of the population will get dandruff. The incidence of dandruff decreases with age. The scalp contains many species of microbes, including a naturally occurring yeast called Malassezia.
But fear not – there are some ways to combat it. The fungus that is the principal cause of dandruff is called Malassezia globosa, and it feeds off the oils on our skin and hair. But when it does ...