Dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis are caused by an inflammatory response to commensal Malassezia yeasts on the scalp — affecting roughly half of all adults at some point. Modern treatment combines an antifungal shampoo to reduce yeast load with an anti-inflammatory adjunct for severe cases. The MedsBase Dandruff Treatment catalogue stocks the standard options, supplied by WHO-GMP gecertificeerde fabrikanten.
Ketoconazole 2% antifungal shampoo (first-line). Ketoconazole 2% medicated shampoo applied 2–3 times weekly is the most-used antifungal treatment for dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis. Leave on the scalp 3–5 minutes before rinsing; reduce to once weekly maintenance after symptom control. Two brand presentations are stocked: Ketocip Shampoo (Cipla) and Danfree 2%. Both contain identical active ingredient at the same strength and are therapeutically equivalent.
Selenium sulphide 2.5% suspension. Selenium sulphide reduces Malassezia counts, slows corneocyte turnover, and reduces sebum. Apply to wet scalp, leave 2–5 minutes, rinse thoroughly (avoid contact with eyes, broken skin, and jewellery — it can tarnish silver and lighten dyed or grey hair). Particularly effective for tinea (pityriasis) versicolor on the trunk, used as a body wash. Stocked as Selsun Suspension.
Oral systemic corticosteroid for severe widespread disease. A short course of oral betamethasone is occasionally needed for very severe widespread seborrhoeic dermatitis with extension to face / chest / back, alongside an antifungal shampoo — typically under specialist supervision and tapered. Stocked as Betnesol 0.5 mg tablets (GSK). Note: Betnesol is a broad-use systemic glucocorticoid (allergic flare, severe asthma, rheumatic disease, nephrotic syndrome, ITP); not a routine dandruff treatment. Topical steroid scalp lotions (clobetasol or betamethasone valerate scalp formulations) are the more appropriate first-line escalation if antifungal shampoo alone is not enough — those are stocked under our Beauty & Skin Care category.
How to use the category. Mild dandruff → ketoconazole or selenium sulphide shampoo 2–3× weekly until controlled, then once weekly maintenance. Moderate-severe seborrhoeic dermatitis with significant scalp inflammation → ketoconazole shampoo plus topical steroid scalp lotion (5–7 days, then taper). Recurrent or refractory disease → consider underlying triggers (stress, cold weather, immunosuppression, Parkinson’s disease) and consider oral antifungal therapy (Nizral oral ketoconazole 200 mg) under specialist supervision. Affects face / eyebrows / nasolabial folds → ketoconazole 2% cream applied thinly twice daily.
Belangrijk. Persistent itchy red scalp despite proper treatment may be psoriasis (often involves elbows, knees, nails) or contact dermatitis — needs assessment rather than escalating empirical treatment. New-onset dandruff in immunocompromised patients (HIV, chemotherapy, transplant) can be more aggressive and warrants tailored treatment. Avoid harsh shampoos, reduce hot showering, and consider stress-management measures alongside topical treatment.
All MedsBase Dandruff Treatment products ship from WHO-GMP gecertificeerde fabrikanten met discrete verpakking en vallen onder onze Reshipment Assurance Policy.