Why use medicated shampoo

Used appropriately, it removes sebum, sweat, dirt, and styling products. Shampoos replaced bar soap, which leaves a difficult-to-rinse soap scum. Some shampoo ingredients eg, detergents and forming agents cleanse the hair, whereas others make it look, feel, or smell nice. The detergents used in shampoos are amphiphilic, attracting both oils and water. Cosmetic chemists create different detergent types for varying hair types, and the American consumer has high expectations from shampoos.

Patients ask for advice for products to treat dandruff and itching The Table 2,4 describes common OTC products and their purposes. Just as the cosmetics industry is more likely than ever before to add pharmaceutically active compounds to their products, the pharmaceutical industry is more likely to formulate shampoos that are cosmetically elegant. Many youths struggle with greasy hair seborrhea capitis at and around puberty when increased sex hormone activity exacerbates sebaceous gland activity.

When the sebum coating hair shafts captures environmental dirt, perspiration, and bacteria, it can develop an unpleasant odor due to microbial peroxidative lipid transformation.

There are no prescription agents to reduce sebum production; those afflicted can only frequently wash with products designed for oily hair. Scaly scalp affects about half of children and adolescents, and dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis are the primary causes.

Some dermatologists recommend rotating among 3 dandruff shampoos to prevent tachyphylaxis decreasing benefit when 1 shampoo is used. No studies support this belief. Many of these products should only be applied 2 or 3 times a week. More frequent use will not increase efficacy. Ringworm tinea capitis is also a common childhood problem. The most common dermatophyte infection occurs in children younger than 12 years. It presents in several different ways, with traditional ringworm appearing as patchy alopecia with scaling and raised borders.

Some children have an intense immunologic response and will develop kerions boggy, tender, inflammatory nodules. Prescription ketoconazole may be needed for psoriasis flares.

Ketoconazole shampoo can also treat tinea capitis and tinea versicolor. Tinea capitis is a superficial, ringworm-like fungus infection that affects the scalp.

While ketoconazole is most frequently used for its antifungal properties to treat infections or conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, there is anecdotal evidence indicating that it may also help promote hair growth or reduce hair loss. One small pilot study consisting of 15 people with alopecia, for example, found that ketoconazole may be able to improve hair regrowth. Different types of ketoconazole shampoos are available OTC and by prescription from a healthcare provider.

OTC ketoconazole shampoos contain 1 percent or less of ketoconazole. The most commonly known OTC brand is Nizoral, which is available in most supermarkets and online for purchase.

You can obtain shampoos that contain 2 percent or more of ketoconazole with a prescription from your doctor. Brands available by prescription include:. Ketoconazole can have negative side effects that you should be aware of before using it. In some individuals, it may also cause either oiliness or dryness of the hair or scalp, abnormal hair texture, or discoloration.

It can cause permed hair to lose its curl as well. Benzodiazepines that are FD More Answers What are direct vasodilators? These drugs relax the muscles in ar More Answers What should I know before taking a direct vasodilator? Donna Hill Howes, RN If you have known or suspected coronary artery disease, hydralazine may not be a good option for you More Answers How are benzodiazepines used to treat lower back pain? Donna Hill Howes, RN Benzodiazepines appear to be about as effective as muscle relaxants for short-term relief of low bac Treatment for hair loss Many men may seek out medicated shampoos to treat hair loss.

What can I get without a prescription? Compounded shampoo options Compounding is a practice that pharmacists can use to personalize products for specific patients. Related Posts. February 19th, October 20th, July 28th, Go to Top.