Pellicules

Pellicules is a plural term with several related meanings across languages and disciplines. In French, pellicules is the plural of pellicule and commonly denotes thin skins or layers, most notably dandruff on the scalp. In biology, pellicle (often encountered as pellicule or pellicules in some texts) refers to a thin, flexible coating that covers or lines certain cells or organisms, providing protection and helping maintain shape. In photography and cinema, pellicule is the French word for film stock, with pellicules used to refer to multiple film strips or reels.

Dandruff sense

In everyday medical and lay terms, pellicules most often refer to dandruff, a common scalp condition characterized by flaking skin. Causes are multifactorial, including overproduction of skin cells, oily scalp, irritation, and the presence of Malassezia yeast. Symptoms include white or yellow flakes on the hair and shoulders and sometimes itching. It is not contagious and usually manageable with proper scalp care and treatment. Diagnosis is typically clinical.

Treatment and management

Effective approaches include regular use of medicated shampoos containing zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, or coal tar. Mild moisturizers or salicylic acid-based preparations can help for dry scalp. Identifying and addressing contributing factors such as skin conditions (seborrheic dermatitis, eczema) or hair-care practices can reduce recurrence. Most cases respond to over-the-counter or prescription therapies, but persistent or severe symptoms may require medical evaluation.

Pellicle sense

In biology, the pellicle is a cell covering that is not a rigid wall but a flexible layer of membranes and underlying cytoskeleton, found in various protists and some algae. It provides structural support and can influence cell shape and movement.

See also: pellicle, film, dandruff.