Antifungal medications usually offer dependable treatments by reducing the number of Candida cells, allowing the immune system and other microorganisms to regain control.
Currently, the most effective way to get rid of dandruff is by using antifungals in things like shampoos, applied directly to the scalp, to kill Malassezia.
Some research suggests these aldehydes also have antifungal and antibacterial properties, so they may be helping stink bugs fight diseases at the same time.
None of them had used agents that can alter the volume and diversity of gut microbes – antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics or antifungal drugs – in the previous three months.
But rather than just zapping scalp fungi with antifungal compounds like most of today's antidandruff shampoos do, Murphy says the goal might be to make a more gentle product.