The role of Malassezia sp, sebum level and Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) toward the dandruff severity between hijab and non hijab wearing subjects

Abstract

Dandruff is a common symptom in adolescence, which possibly due to increasing of
Malassezia sp. colonization, sebum level as well as skin hydration. Wearing hijab is
predicted to increase the humidity and sebum level lead to increase the number of
Malassezia sp. and dandruff severity. A case-control study was conducted on 19 female
with dandruff who wear hijab and 19 female with dandruff who do not wear hijab, age
between 18 and 27 years old. The dandruff severity was defined clinically using a
scoring system (0-100), only subjects with minimum score of 28 will be included in this
study. The sebum and trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) levels were measured with
Sebumeter and Tewameter from Courage Khazaka. The Malassezia sp. was examined
using microscopic examination of the squama and culture in the Saboraud medium.
There were no significant differences found between hijab and non-hijab groups for
dandruff severity. No difference found between two groups for sebum level, Malassezia
sp. number microscopically, and Malassezia sp. colonization. Only TEWL level in hijab
group that was found to be higher than non-hijab group. Wearing hijab does not increase
the dandruff severity, sebum level and colonization number of Malassezia sp. Wearing
hijab is found to increase the TEWL level.