Dandruff symptoms

Is there any difference between symptoms and signs?

Both; symptoms and signs are medical terms , having specific and different meanings. Both, express the same medical condition but from a different point of view. Dandruff symptoms or Symptoms of any medical condition are expressions from the patient’s point of view and they are exclusively the patient’s perception of the condition in terms of location of pain, its being superficial or deeper, localized or radiating, consistent or fluctuating, mild or severe, pinching, irritating or dull etc.

Sign, on the other hand is the doctors point of view as observed during check up or medical examination. Bleeding, open cuts, burns, boils, discoloration of skin, open injury, wound etc. are the signs. It is very difficult for a doctor to diagnose properly without knowing the symptoms; therefore taking medical history is a globally recognized medical practice.

Are all medical conditions symptomatic?

Whereas most of the medical conditions are symptomatic and the patients have a fair idea of what is happening for example the patient becomes alert of an imminent heart attack in case of angina due to its being typically symptomatic. In few cases for example, some hypertensive patients remain unaware of their serious medical condition on account of its being asymptomatic and this, in fact is far too dangerous a hidden peril.

What are signs of dandruff?

Medically known as ‘seborrheic dermatitis; dandruff is a symptomatic condition and the sufferer may easily differentiate it from dry skin, which is sometimes taken as dandruff but in fact is different from dandruff. Dandruff has well defined signs and symptoms of its own. Dandruff has five typical signs being; flakes of specific shape ,size and color, very often seen on shoulders , prominently visible, when wearing black Itchiness causing irresistible urge to touch or scratch, Dryness which accelerates desquamation or shedding of dead skin cells , oiliness  imparting visible greasy appearance and irritation which unlike itchiness is not localized.

Dandruff symptoms

Scaling or roughness is perceived rarely in adults but often in case of dandruff in infants, known as cradle scalp. Greasy scalp; is another symptom of dandruff due to hyperactive sebaceous glands, producing sebum (skin oil0 in excess to the normal quantity. Localized pain, in scalp skin is also a dandruff symptom. The sufferer feels extreme discomfort in case the social gathering, location or environment does not permit, scratching the scalp freely. Some people feel slight sensation or creeping in more effected areas of scalp. Being sensitive to touch, is also a symptom of dandruff, perceived usually by young adults only. Dandruff symptoms are different from the symptoms of psoriasis or eczema, which are sometimes mistaken for dandruff symptoms. A distinguishing feature is that dandruff does not cause permanent hair loss and it is not restricted to some specific are in a specific pattern. In case of eczema, also known as ringworm, there is a specific localized circular pattern of spreading and contrary to dandruff, eczema causes permanent hair loss. Flakes are thick in Psoriasis.