MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. Janet Prystowsky, MD Dr. Prystowsky is a leading board-certified dermatologist in New York City.  In addition to her private practice, Dr. Prystowsky is a senior attending physician at Mount Sinai Roosevelt/St. Luke’s Medical Center. http://www.janetprystowskymd.com/ MedicalResearch.com: Would you describe what dandruff looks like on most people?  Dr. Prystowsky: Normal dandruff looks like tiny white flakes or dust in your hair. These flakes are a buildup of dead skin cells mixed with skin oils. MedicalResearch.com: Is dandruff the same as seborrheic dermatitis? How does it differ from psoriasis or eczema? Do scientists understand what causes dandruff? Is it caused by stress, diet or fatigue?  Dr. Prystowsky: Normal dandruff is caused by the accumulation of dead skin cells and skin oils (sebum) that are a part of normal scalp function. Sebum is produced in hair follicle oil glands, and skin cells slough from the scalp surface just as they do from the rest of your body. It is a part of normal skin cell turnover. However, you may also get excessive dandruff if you have scalp skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis.  Skin infections with fungus (tinea capitus), head lice, or Staph. Aureus may also trigger excessive flaking.  (more…)