Dandruff is a common condition among many with flakes of dead skin cells in your scalp followed with itching and redness. Dandruff can be more embarrassing but you can manage it by proper treatment. There is no particular reason for dandruff but many factors increase the risk of dandruff.
Causes of dandruff
The exact reason behind dandruff is unknown. But factors involved are as follows,
Seborrheic dermatitis
People with the above condition have oily irritated skin and scalp. They have a high risk of getting dandruff. It will be present in more areas like behind the ears, nose sides, eyebrows, breast bones. The skin gets greasy and inflamed due to this condition. Malassezia, a fungus that feeds on the oil secreted from the skin will be present in the scalp. It does not cause any problems at all times but sometimes becomes over reactive causing the scalp to irritate and produce more dead skin cells. These dead skin cells combine with oil and form dandruff.
Overbrushing
It is enough to brush your hair twice a day. But some people over brush hair which makes more dead skin cells to accumulate in the scalp.
Yeast
The risk of getting dandruff is high if you are sensitive to yeast. Dandruff will mostly get worsen during winter and calms or even scalp gets better when the climate is warmer. This is because Ultraviolet rays from the sun manage the yeast.
Dry skin
Dry skin people are more vulnerable to dandruff. Cold winter worsens the situation with more dryness and itchy scalp. But the scales won’t be oily.
Shampoo
It is necessary to maintain your hair hygiene. So shampooing your hair weekly twice is well and good. But some people over shampoo the hair and the chemicals present in shampoo affects the scalp and create dryness in hair. This will result in dandruff.
Skin conditions
People with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis have a high probability of getting dandruff. Fungal infections like ringworm or tinea capitis can trigger dandruff.
Age
People facing their adolescent age are more likely to get dandruff and it may last for a longer period. Men are more prone to dandruff than women due to their hormonal changes.
Treatment for dandruff
Doctors recommend a medicated shampoo to treat and control the dandruff
Shampoo
Antifungal shampoos are recommended and before using it it is necessary to remove the scaly flakes and apply the shampoo to get effective. The main components to look in your shampoo are,
- Ketoconazole
- Tea tree oil
- Salicyclic acid
- Selenium sulfide
- Zinc pyrithione
- Coal tar
It is important to shampoo your hair not more than twice. Although you consult medic, it is necessary to have some home remedies or like precautions to avoid reoccurrence of dandruff.
- Stress management is important as it may increase the risk of dandruff.
- If you have a very oily scalp, proper shampooing is important
- Using tea tree oil in the affected area and giving a massage removes the scales and reduces the inflammation and itching.
- Expose your hair to sunlight at least once a day.
Complications
There are rare complications and severe conditions involved with dandruff. But you need to medical attention when,
- More occurrence of dandruff even after treatment
- Severe itching and scales falling on your shoulders
- Infections or itching near the ears and eyebrows
- Severe dandruff issues could be a symptom of psoriasis or eczema.
Newborn babies and toddlers have scaly scalps called cradle cap. It can be treated with regular oil massage in the scalp and proper hair wash with a mild shampoo. It is important for the individual to leave the shampoo usage if the chemical causes discomfort and starts using another suggested by the doctor.