Dandruff – What it is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments!

Dandruff – What it is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments that many are unaware of. In addition, dandruff  is a common chronic scalp condition marked by peeling skin on the scalp. Dandruff is  not contagious or serious. But it can be embarrassing and sometimes difficult to deal with. The good news is that dandruff can usually be controlled.

Mild cases of dandruff  may need nothing more than shampooing daily with a mild cleanser. More difficult cases of dandruff often respond to medicated shampoos. Our skin is renewed every day, and the scalp also naturally flakes off due to the renewal of its cells that give way to new skin.

Fine and almost invisible scaling is normal, but when the person loses pieces of skin, those whiter flakes, it is an inflammation of the scalp called Seborrheic Dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis , popularly known as Dandruff  is not a disease and has nothing to do with poor hygiene. Dandruff  is a condition of the scalp, so you don’t get or pass on Dandruff .

Causes of Dandruff:  Dandruff can  have many causes, including:

• Irritated oily skin (seborrheic dermatitis). This condition, one of the most frequent causes of dandruff , is marked by red, greasy skin covered in scaly white or yellow scales. Seborrheic dermatitis can affect your scalp and other areas rich in oil glands, such as your eyebrows, the sides of your nose and the back of your ears, your breastbone (sternum), your groin area, and sometimes your armpits.
• shampoo. If you don’t wash your hair regularly, the oils and skin cells on your scalp can build up, causing dandruff .
• A yeast fungus (malassezia). Malassezia lives on the scalp of most adults. But for some, it irritates the scalp and can cause more skin cells to grow. The extra skin cells die and fall off, causing them to look white and scaly in your hair or clothes. Why malassezia irritates some dark hair is not known.
• Dry skin. Dry skin flakes are usually smaller and less oily than those of other causes of dandruff . And, redness or inflammation is unlikely. You will likely have dry skin on other parts of your body like your legs and arms as well.
• Sensitivity to hair care products (contact dermatitis). Sometimes sensitivities to certain ingredients in hair care products or hair dyes can cause a red, itchy, scaly scalp.

Dandruff Symptoms:  For most teens and adults, the symptoms of dandruff  are easy to spot: white, oily flakes of dead skin that speckle your hair and shoulders, and a mildly itchy scalp. The condition can worsen during fall and winter, when internal heating can contribute to dry skin and improve during the summer.

A type of dandruff called crib cover can affect babies. This disorder, which causes a thick, scaly scalp, is most common in newborns but can occur at any time during childhood. While it may be alarming for parents, crib cover is not dangerous and usually cleans up on its own.

When to See a Doctor:  Most cases of dandruff  do not require medical attention. But if over-the-counter (OTC) chastity shampoos aren’t helping, or if your scalp becomes red or swollen, see your doctor or a doctor who specializes in skin conditions (dermatologist). You may have seborrheic dermatitis or another condition that resembles dandruff .

Dandruff Risk Factors:  Almost everyone can get dandruff , but certain factors can make you more susceptible:

• Advanced age. Dandruff usually starts  in adulthood and continues into middle age. This does not mean that older adults do not suffer from dandruff . For some people, the problem can be lifelong.
• Be Man. Because more men have dandruff , some researchers think male hormones may play a role.
• Oily hair and scalp. Malassezia feeds oils into the scalp. For this reason, having excessively oily skin and hair makes you more prone to dandruff .
• Certain diseases. For reasons that are unclear, adults with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease are more likely to develop seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff . So do people with HIV infection, or those who have compromised immune systems from other conditions.

Dandruff Treatments:  Dandruff can  almost always be controlled, but treating Dandruff  can take some trial and error. In general, daily cleansing with a mild shampoo to reduce grease build-up and skin can helpsmooth dandruff  .

When regular shampoos fail, dandruff  shampoos that you can buy at a drugstore may succeed. But dandruff  shampoos are not all created equal, and you may need to experiment until you find one that works for you.

If you develop itching, stinging, redness or burning from any product, stop using it. If you develop an allergic reaction — such as a rash, hives, or difficulty breathing — seek immediate medical attention. Dandruff  shampoos are classified according to the medication they contain:

• Zinc Shampoos. These contain the antibacterial and antifungal agent zinc pyritone. This type of shampoo can reduce the fungus on the scalp that can cause pain and seborrheic dermatitis .
• Tar-Based Shampoos. Alcohol tar, a byproduct of the coal-making process, helps conditions like dandruff , seborrheic dermatitis , and psoriasis. This slows down how quickly the skin cells in your hairdresser die and fall off. If you have colored hair, this type of shampoo can cause discoloration.
• Shampoos Containing Salicylic Acid. These shampoos help to eliminate dandruff , but they can leave your scalp dry, leading to more flakiness. Using a conditioner after shampooing can help alleviate dryness.
• Selenium Sulphide Shampoos. These shampoos delay the death of your skin cells and can also reduce malassezia. Because they can discolor blonde, gray or chemically colored hair, be sure to use them only as directed, and rinse well after shampooing.
• Ketoconazole shampoos. Ketoconazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that can work when other shampoos fail. It is available over the counter as well as by prescription.

Try using one of these shampoos daily or any other day until your dandruff  is controlled; Then reduce to two or three times a week as needed. If one type of shampoo works for a while and then seems to lose its effectiveness, try alternating between two types of dandruff shampoos .

Read and follow the directions on each shampoo bottle you try. Some need to be left in for a few minutes, while others must be rinsed off immediately. If you’ve been shampooing faithfully for several weeks and there’s still a dandruff  powder on your shoulders, talk to your doctor or dermatologist. You may need a prescription strength shampoo or treatment with a steroid lotion.

Alternative Medicine:  Small studies have found that tea tree oil can reduce dandruff , but more study is needed. Tea tree oil, which comes from the leaves of the Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), has been used for centuries as an antiseptic, antibiotic and antifungal agent. It is now included in many shampoos found in health food stores. The oil can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Dandruff Prevention:  In addition to regular shampoo, you can take steps to reduce your risk of developing dandruff :

• Learn to Manage Stress. Stress affects your overall health, making you susceptible to a number of conditions and illnesses. It can even help trigger dandruff  or make existing symptoms worse.
• Shampoo frequently. If you tend to have an oily scalp, daily shampoo can help prevent dandruff .
• Get some sun. Sunlight can be good for dandruff . But because exposure to ultraviolet light damages your skin and increases your risk of skin cancer , don’t sunbathe. Instead, just spend some time outdoors. And make sure you use sunscreen on your face and body.