Yellow dandruff
Although it can happen mostly in infants, these crusty, oily patches of yellow-white scales on the scalp, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, can affect adults as well. Seborrheic dermatitis is caused by a microbe that lives in our scalp, called Malassezia globosa.
Half the population is sensitive to a substance the microbe makes, and it’s called oleic acid. Usually, this can lead to dandruff, but there are also some people that are extremely sensitive to oleic acid, which causes seborrheic dermatitis. Also, stress, hormonal changes, and harsh shampoo can trigger seborrheic dermatitis. Luckily, the condition is treatable with medicated shampoos and creams.