Med. praxi. 2026;23(1):33-37 | DOI: 10.36290/med.2025.078

Diseases of the scalp: an overview for general practitioners

MUDr. Kristýna Papajíková, MUDr. Renata Kučerová, Ph.D.
Klinika chorob kožních a pohlavních FN a LF UP v Olomouci

Diseases of the scalp are a common reason for visits not only to specialized dermatology clinics but also to general practitioners. This review article provides general practitioners with comprehensive information on the most common scalp conditions - dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and tinea capitis. It discusses their etiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, diagnostic options, and current therapeutic approaches. Emphasis is placed on distinguishing between individual conditions and on the personalization of treatment, including relapse prevention. The article also reflects current insights into the role of the microbiome and skin barrier in the pathogenesis of these disorders and offers practical recommendations applicable to everyday clinical practice.

Keywords: scalp, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, tinea capitis, differential diagnosis.

Received: September 25, 2025; Revised: November 25, 2025; Accepted: November 25, 2025; Published: March 3, 2026  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Papajíková K, Kučerová R. Diseases of the scalp: an overview for general practitioners. Med. praxi. 2026;23(1):33-37. doi: 10.36290/med.2025.078.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Purchase PDF - 60 CZK (2.5 EUR)
    will be unlocked 3.3.2027

    References

    1. Borda LJ, Wikramanayake TC. Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff: A Comprehensive Review. J Clin Investig Dermatol. 2015 Dec;3(2). PMC4852869. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    2. Bitton A, Idkowiak‑Baldys J, Bouslimani A, et al. A Clinical Evaluation of Scalp Barrier Function, Ceramide Levels, and Microbiome in Diverse Dandruff Patients. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025 Mar;24(3 Suppl 1):s3‑14.
    3. Saxena R, Mittal P, Clavaud C, et al. Comparison of healthy and dandruff scalp microbiome reveals the role of commensals in scalp health. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2018;8:346. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2018.00346. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    4. Leung AKC, Hon KL, Leong KF, et al. Tinea Capitis: An Updated Review. Recent Pat Inflamm Allergy Drug Discov. 2020;14(1):58‑68. doi:10.2174/1872213X14666200106145624. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    5. Hercogová J, et al. Klinická dermatovenerologie. 1. díl. Praha: Mladá fronta; 2019:184‑186.
    6. Štork J. Dermatovenerologie. 2. vyd. Praha: Galén; 2013:p. 166‑167.
    7. Mayser P, Genrich F, Meunier L, et al. Scalp Microbiome and Dandruff - Exploring Novel Biobased Esters. Cosmetics. 2024;11(5):174. doi:10.3390/cosmetics11050174. Go to original source...
    8. Benáková N, et al. Moderní farmakoterapie v dermatologii. 2. dopl. vyd. Praha: Maxdorf; 2023:p. 189‑194.
    9. Hercogová J, et al. Klinická dermatovenerologie. 1. díl. Praha: Mladá fronta; 2019: p. 166-179. ISBN 978‑80‑204‑5311‑1.
    10. Mosca M, Hong J, Hadeler E, et al. Scalp Psoriasis: A Literature Review of Effective Therapies and Updated Recommendations for Practical Management. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(3):769‑797. doi:10.1007/s13555‑021‑00521‑z. PMCID: PMC8163911. PMID: 33893995. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    11. Štork J. Dermatovenerologie. 2. vyd. Praha: Galén; 2013:p. 185-191.
    12. George SM, Taylor MR, Farrant PB. Psoriatic alopecia. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015;40(7):717-21. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    13. Hill RC, Gold JAW, Lipner SR. Comprehensive Review of Tinea Capitis in Adults: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Clinical Presentations, and Management. J Fungi (Basel). 2024 May 16;10(5):357. doi: 10.3390/jof10050357. PMID: 38786712; PMCID: PMC11122068. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    14. Leung AKC, Hon KL, Leong KF, et al. Tinea Capitis: An Updated Review. Recent Pat Inflamm Allergy Drug Discov. 2020;14(1):58-68. doi: 10.2174/1872213X1466620010614562.4. PMID: 31906842. Go to original source...
    15. Hercogová J, et al. Klinická dermatovenerologie. 2. díl. Praha: Mladá fronta; 2019:1264-1266.
    16. Benáková N, et al. Moderní farmakoterapie v dermatologii. 2. dopl. vyd. Praha: Maxdorf; 2023:33-45.
    17. Liang PP, Dai YX, Chen CC. Mini-review: the diagnostic methods of tinea capitis. J Fungi (Basel). 2023 Apr;9(4):402. doi:10.3390/jof9040402. PMID: 37067665. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    18. Papajíková K, Vavříková L, Tichý M. A case of extensive tinea capitis in a middle-aged woman. Dermatol. praxi. 2025;19(2):81-83. doi: 10.36290/der.2025.015. Go to original source...

    Return to the content


    Medicine for Practice

    Madam, Sir,
    please be aware that the website on which you intend to enter, not the general public because it contains technical information about medicines, including advertisements relating to medicinal products. This information and communication professionals are solely under §2 of the Act n.40/1995 Coll. Is active persons authorized to prescribe or supply (hereinafter expert).
    Take note that if you are not an expert, you run the risk of danger to their health or the health of other persons, if you the obtained information improperly understood or interpreted, and especially advertising which may be part of this site, or whether you used it for self-diagnosis or medical treatment, whether in relation to each other in person or in relation to others.

    I declare:

    1. that I have met the above instruction
    2. I'm an expert within the meaning of the Act n.40/1995 Coll. the regulation of advertising, as amended, and I am aware of the risks that would be a person other than the expert input to these sites exhibited

    No
    Yes

    If your statement is not true, please be aware
    that brings the risk of danger to their health or the health of others.