Malassezia furfur is the causative agent of seborrhea.

Malassezia furfur is a type of fungus that causes dandruff. The fungus can cause seborrhea and atopic dermatitis.

This type of fungus did not "fall from the sky." It has existed for many centuries on the skin of a large number of people who peacefully coexisted with it and it did not show its pathogenic effect.

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Causes Malassezia furfur

Malassezia furfur was first described by microbiologist Eichstedt in 1846. After the discovery of this species of fungus, difficulties arose with cultivation and its physiological properties were not studied.

In 1939, Dr. Benham managed to understand that fats are necessary for the development and functioning of malassezia furfur. The definition was further complicated by the fact that this type of fungus has two forms of life activity - mycelial and yeast.

In 1996, scientists Guillot and Gueho succeeded in creating a taxonomic series. They registered 104 strains of Malassezia based on DNA characteristics determined using PCR methods.

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Pathogenesis

The so-called "builder" cells - keratinocytes - are responsible for the growth of "young" epidermal cells. When a fungus appears that affects keratinocytes, cell renewal slows down. The effect consists of accelerated peeling of "old" cells, which break off in the form of flakes and form dandruff. The life cycle of the pathogenic fungus malassezia furfur is about 28 days. The peeling process usually goes unnoticed.

In seborrhea, malassezia furfur begins to process the abundant secretion of the scalp. As a result of its vital activity, free fatty acids are formed, which irritate the skin and cause it to peel. Consequently, skin inflammation and itching occur as a result of the decomposition of fat by the fungus malassezia furfur.

Excessive sweating and sebum contribute to the development of malassezia furfur. In any case, with this type of fungal infection, it is necessary to prescribe treatment as soon as possible, which is effective in the early stages and can prevent the development of the disease and its transmission.

The fungus malassezia furfur is not the only cause of dandruff. When dandruff occurs, several pathogenic factors and pathogenetic mechanisms are often simultaneously triggered, disrupting the proper functioning of the scalp. In addition to the already mentioned seborrhea, individual genetic characteristics, hormonal imbalances and improper care of hair and scalp can have a significant impact. In addition, excessive sun exposure, air pollution, diseases and multiple immune disorders, poor nutrition, vitamin and microelement deficiencies, stress, etc.

Due to problems of cultivation, biological, physiological functions of malassezia furfur are practically not studied. Its main feature is that the fungus is not able to ferment sugars. The main source of carbohydrates are fats. The microorganism can grow both in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. There is an opinion that the cell contains fatty acids, but they do not serve as a source of energy and do not participate in metabolism. For its nutrition, the fungus uses lipids from the inner part of the epidermal cells.

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Symptoms Malassezia furfur

The symptoms of malassezia furfur activity are varied. The localization of seborrheic dermatitis is extensive, but most often the disease affects the scalp, which is covered with hair. It can be detected at the border of hair growth, eyebrows and eyelashes, and also affect the skin in places of moustache and beard growth. The skin of the nasolabial and postauricular folds, auditory canals are often areas where the lesions are localized. The skin in the sternum and body folds is most rarely affected.

The fungus can affect the skin of the genitals and anus.

Smooth areas of skin affected by seborrheic dermatitis look like inflamed flaky areas. Inflammation of the skin with partial peeling appears on the scalp covered with hair. Sometimes the lesions are covered with crusts of hemorrhagic origin. The disease is accompanied by itching, which can be quite intense. If a secondary infection joins, suppuration occurs.

The progression of seborrheic dermatitis is closely associated with the exacerbation of upper respiratory tract infections, with the abuse of products that contain easily digestible carbohydrates and yeast-like fungi.

Diagnostics Malassezia furfur

Diagnostics of malassezia furfur includes the following types of research: mycological, immunochemical, allergological.

The main tests are mycological studies. They help determine the type and kind of fungus. In this type of analysis, a scraping is made, a sample is taken with a cotton swab and various laboratory tests are carried out.

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Treatment Malassezia furfur

For more effective treatment of patients with malassezia furfur it is necessary:

• following a diet low in easily digestible carbohydrates;
• limiting the consumption of foods that cause fermentation;
• elimination of yeast-containing ingredients from the diet.

This means minimizing consumption of flour products, not abusing beer, champagne, wine, kvass. Canned juices, canned vegetables, seafood contain yeast fungi. Large consumption of sugar accelerates fermentation processes and reproduction of pathogenic flora.

The use of topical ointments that have an antifungal effect. For example, ointments of terbinafine, clotrimazole, zinc pyrithione and others have a positive therapeutic effect. Their involvement in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis is, of course, an important component, because these drugs do not have a systemic toxic property and they do not have a withdrawal syndrome. Moreover, special cosmetics must be used during daily hygiene procedures. For example, shower gels and soaps that have an antifungal effect. Shampoos - Nizoral, Friderm, Skin-cap), which are recommended for patients for regular use to reduce the population of malassezia furfur.

At the moment, there are the following methods of combating dandruff:

• The first is a cytostatic method, which reduces the rate of cell formation in the outer layer of the epidermis. Shampoos containing octopirox and tar are used. This method consists of combating visible flakes, but it does not eliminate the cause itself. When you stop using these products, dandruff returns again.
• The second is the keratolytic method - the effect is based on exfoliation of cells. Specific shampoos are used that contain substances such as salicylic acid and sulfur. The effectiveness is similar to the first method described above. But if these products are often prohibited, they lead to thinning and atrophy of the scalp.
• The third is an antimycotic method that controls the growth of Malassezia furfur fungus populations. Efficiency is characterized by the manifestation of a decrease in the number of fungal populations, which allows normalizing the amount of fungal microflora on the surface of the skin. This method of therapy is based on the impact and control of the initial causes of dandruff. The method is based on the antimicrobial action of agents that quickly penetrate the stratum corneum of the epidermis, where it accumulates. Medicinal shampoos containing ketaconazole are used.

Prevention

Prevention of diseases caused by malassezia furfur includes general recommendations such as:

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, following a diet, work and rest schedule, and hardening the body - all this helps strengthen the immune system.
• Timely use of antifungal drugs;
• Correct tactics for treating somatic pathologies.
• Compliance with personal hygiene rules and antifungal treatment of personal items to prevent re-infection.

Almost all fungal diseases are treatable, although not as quickly as we would like. In some cases, successful therapy requires quite a long time. Thanks to the proposed recommendations, you can maximally protect yourself from the effects of the fungus malassezia furfur.

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Forecast

The prognosis for diseases caused by the fungus malassezia furfur, with timely and proper treatment, is favorable.