[Therapeutic aspects of seborrhea oleosa and pityriasis simplex capillitii]

The treatment of seborrhoea oleosa capillitii should aim at inhibiting depletion of the sebaceous glands, lipid synthesis in the sebaceous gland and microbial lipolysis of the triglycerides in the scalp and hair lipids. The use of isopropyl alcohol as a vehicle in a hair tonic reduces sebum depletion. Coal tar and estrogens reduce the lipid synthesis in the sebaceous gland. The lipolysis can be inhibited by various surfactants, isopropyl alcohol, colloidal sulphur, selenium disulphide, Omadine MDS and benzoyl peroxide. In the treatment of pityriasis simplex capillitii (dandruff) one aims at achieving inhibition of mitosis in the epidermis and, if possible, an additional "keratolytic" effect. Inhibition of mitosis could be demonstrated for coal tar, corticosteroids, selenium disulphide, cadmium sulphide, Omadine MDS, Zn Omadine and ichthyol sodium. Colloidal sulphur, salicylic acid, Omadine MDS and various surfactants act "keratolytically".