My Skin, My Health

  D andruff is a common condition that causes the skin on the scalp to flake. It isn't contagious or serious but it can be embarrassing and difficult to treat.  Mild dandruff can be treated with gentle daily shampoo if that doesn't work, a medicated shampoo may help.  Symptoms Dandruff signs and symptoms may include: Skin flakes on your scalp, hair, eyebrows, beard or mustache, and shoulders Itchy scalp Scaly, crusty scalp in infants with cradle cap The signs and symptoms may be more severe if stressed, and they tend to flare in cold and dry seasons. Causes Dandruff may have several causes, including: Irritated, oily skin Dry skin A yeastlike fungus (Malassezia) that feeds on oils on the scalps of most adults Sensitivity to hair care products (contact dermatitis) Other skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema Risk factors Almost anyone can have dandruff, but certain factors can make you more susceptible: Age: Dandruff usually begins in young adulthood and continues t...

  M easles (a lso called rubeola ) is a childhood infection caused by a virus. Once quite common, measles can now almost always be prevented with a vaccine , measles spreads easily and can be serious and even fatal for small children. While death rates have been falling worldwide as more children receive the measles vaccine, the disease still kills more than 200,000 people a year, mostly children. Measles vs. rubella You may have heard rubella referred to as “German measles.” But measles and rubella are actually caused by two different viruses. Rubella isn’t as contagious as measles. However, it can cause serious complications if a woman develops the infection while pregnant. Even though different viruses cause measles and rubella, they’re also similar in several ways. Both viruses: can be spread through the air from coughing and sneezing cause fever and a distinctive rash occur only in humans Both measles and rubella are included in the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and me...