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Do You Have Difficulty in Dealing with Dandruff?

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Do You Have Difficulty in Dealing with Dandruff?

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Dandruff can be embarrassing and can be challenging to treat. Read the article to know about general facts and preventive measures of dandruff.

Written by

Dr. Vinay Kumar

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At October 9, 2015
Reviewed AtMarch 5, 2024

What Is Dandruff?

Dandruff is a condition of the scalp and hairs, in which dry, white flakes tend to accumulate and show up on the scalp and the hairs. It is not serious or contagious. However, it can be unpleasant and challenging to cure. A mild shampoo should be used every day to cure mild dandruff. If that is not effective, a medicated shampoo might be useful. Later, the symptoms could reappear. A modest variation of seborrhoeic dermatitis is dandruff.

Facts About Dandruff

  • Dandruff can only be controlled but a complete cure is as yet not available. Preventive measures aim to minimize the likelihood of development of features of dandruff.

  • Dandruff is caused by the rapid turnover of cells of the scalp, the exact reason for which remains obscure. It is also thought to be related to excess of a fungus present on the skin which can be present even in those individuals who do not have any dandruff.

  • Dandruff might be associated with itching and soreness of the skin.

  • Dandruff and dry skin are two different conditions.

  • Dandruff may be a part of a generalized disease called seborrheic dermatitis in which the scales tend to be greasy.

  • Dandruff is not an indicator of poor hygiene. It is reported that nearly half of the population has symptoms of this common malady.

  • Dandruff is more likely to affect persons with brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease, HIV infection, stressful conditions like heart disease and brain stroke, and disorders affecting body resistance.

What Are the Causes of Dandruff?

Dandruff can result from several factors, such as

  • Greasy, irritated skin.

  • Dry skin.

  • A fungus called Malassezia resembles yeast and feeds on the oils found on most adult scalps.

  • Sensitivity to hair products (dermatitis resulting from touch).

  • Other skin disorders, like eczema and psoriasis.

What Are the Symptoms of Dandruff?

Signs and symptoms of dandruff could include

  • Flakes of skin on the shoulders, beard or mustache, hair, scalp, and eyebrows.

  • Itch on the scalp.

  • Cradle cap newborns with a scaly, crusty scalp.

Stress may exacerbate the symptoms, which often worsen during the cold, dry seasons.

What Are the Risk Factors?

Dandruff can affect almost anyone, but some things can increase the likelihood:

  • Age: Usually starting in young adulthood, dandruff persists until middle age. That is not to say that dandruff does not affect the elderly. It might be a lifelong issue for certain people.

  • Male: Males tend to get dandruff more often than females.

  • Certain Diseases: Dandruff risk appears to be elevated in conditions affecting the neurological system, such as Parkinson's disease. HIV infection and immune system weakness also do this.

What Are the Preventive Measures?

  • Ideally speaking, the treatment should be started under medical guidance. However, there is so much an individual can do that might provide relief and help even if one is taking treatment under supervision.

  • Eat a healthy and balanced diet with plenty of zinc, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins. Avoid yeast and refined sugars. This helps in preventing the growth of yeast which is thought to be responsible for causing dandruff.

  • Relax and engage in de-stressing measures.

  • Watch out for adverse effects of any hair styling product and take appropriate action if it is so.

  • Brush (not comb) the hair frequently to stimulate blood circulation and remove the debris collected on the scalp. Brushing before a shampoo is recommended.

  • Zinc Pyrithione or ZPTO, coal tar, and Ketoconazole have antifungal properties whereas salicylic acid dissolves skin cells or scales. Use appropriate shampoo or leave-on preparations containing suitable concentrations that work best for a person.

  • At every bath, wash the scalp thoroughly even before dandruff has appeared. First, rinse the scalp and hairs, then massage the shampoo (preferably diluted with an equal quantity of tap water) gently but thoroughly, and finally, rinse again to wash away the dislodged skin cells and oily secretions of skin glands.

  • To soften and remove the heaped-up collections of skin flakes, use shampoos containing salicylic acid or other compounds that will dissolve the scales faster.

  • Shampoo scalp and hair daily until dandruff is under control. When satisfactorily controlled, taper the frequency of application of medicated preparation to match the needs. The use of conditioner is better left to one’s individual preferences as some people may require it while others do not.

  • Allow medicated shampoo to remain in contact with the affected skin for at least 8-10 minutes on each application.

  • If one notices that one particular shampoo is no longer as effective as it used to be, switch over to another but do not use different shampoos at a time.

How Can Dandruff Be Treated?

Dandruff's flaking and itching are nearly always manageable. To minimize oil and skin cell accumulation, start by regularly washing the hair with a light shampoo if one has mild dandruff. Try using a therapeutic dandruff shampoo if that does not work. Two or three times a week, with regular shampooing on other days if necessary, is all that some people can handle when using medicated shampoo. Less frequent shampooing and a moisturizing conditioner for the hair and scalp would be beneficial for those with drier hair.

Both medicated and non-medicated hair and scalp products come in the form of solutions, foams, gels, sprays, ointments, and oils. To find a habit that works best for one, one might need to try a few different products. Additionally, a person will probably require ongoing or recurring care.

Shampoos for dandruff are categorized based on the medication they include. Certain ones can be obtained with a prescription in stronger formulations.

  • Zinc pyrithione shampoos. Zinc pyrithione, an antibacterial and antifungal agent, is present in these.

  • Shampoos with tar in them. The rate at which skin cells on the scalp peel off and die is slowed down by coal tar. This particular kind of shampoo may discolor light-colored hair. Additionally, it may increase the scalp's sensitivity to sunlight.

  • Shampoos with salicylic acid in them. These goods aid in the eradication of scaling.

  • Shampoos with selenium sulfide. There is an antifungal agent in them. Because these products can discolor the hair and scalp, use them as instructed, and be sure to rinse well after shampooing.

  • Shampoos with ketoconazole. The goal of this shampoo is to eradicate the fungi that cause dandruff on the scalp.

  • Shampoos using fluocinolone. A corticosteroid is an ingredient in these products that helps reduce inflammation, flaking, and itching.

What Are the Home Remedies for Dandruff?

There are things people can do to manage or lower the possibility of getting dandruff:

  • Develop Stress Management Skills:. Stress has an impact on the general health and increases the vulnerability to many illnesses and ailments. It may contribute to the onset of dandruff or exacerbate already symptoms.

  • Consume a Nutritious Diet: A diet rich in zinc, B vitamins, and certain fats may help shield the scalp from getting dandruff.

  • Create a Regimen for Hair and Scalp Care That Works for Everyone: Regular shampooing may help avoid dandruff if one has an oily scalp. To release flakes from the scalp, gently massage it. Give it a good rinse. Shampoo less frequently and condition the scalp in between washes if an individual has dry hair and a sensitive scalp.

  • Take a Little Sun: Dandruff may be effectively controlled by sunlight. However, avoid sunbathing as it harms the skin and raises the risk of developing skin cancer. Just take a brief break and go outside instead. Do not forget to protect the face and body with sunscreen.

  • Minimize the Use of Hair Products: Hair and scalp oiliness can be caused by the accumulation of hair styling products.

Conclusion

Flaky skin on the scalp and in the hair is called dandruff. Occasionally, skin fragments may land on the clothing, typically on the shoulders. A common issue is dandruff. It will occasionally affect most people. One cannot transfer dandruff from one person to another

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

How to get rid of dandruff?

Dandruff can be controlled with the help of anti-dandruff shampoo, antifungals like Ketoconazole, Zinc pyrithione, and Selenium disulfide. Using coal tar helps the skin to shed dead cells and helps control dandruff.

2.

What causes dandruff?

The exact cause is not known, but dandruff is believed to be caused by the following factors:
- Seborrheic dermatitis.
- Insufficient combing or brushing your hair.
- Yeast infection.
- Dry skin.
- Frequent shampooing.
- Psoriasis and eczema.
- Patients who are chronically ill.

3.

What does dandruff look like?

Dandruff results in white, flaky skin on the scalp with or without itching.

4.

Should I wash my hair every day if I have dandruff?

It is not advisable to shampoo your hair every day, even if you do not have dandruff. Shampooing your hair every day makes your hair dry and strips the scalp of natural oil and irritated. This worsens dandruff.

5.

How can I remove dandruff permanently?

Dandruff cannot be permanently cured, but can only be controlled using home remedies and using anti-dandruff hair products.

6.

Is lemon good for dandruff?

Lemon is considered to be good for your hair and scalp. The pH of lemon maintains the pH balance of the scalp and helps clear excess oil, dirt, and dandruff flakes.

7.

What is a good dandruff shampoo?

Shampoos that contain Ketoconazole, Selenium sulfide, or Zinc pyrithione as the active ingredient helps control dandruff.

8.

Does stress cause dandruff?

Stress does not cause dandruff, but it aggravates or worsens an already existing dandruff problem.

9.

Is dandruff caused by fungus?

Yes, dandruff can also be triggered by a fungus called Malassezia globosa. This fungus is naturally found on the scalp.

10.

What are the symptoms of dandruff?

The symptoms include:
- White and oily skin flakes on the scalp.
- Itchy scalp.
Dr. Vinay Kumar
Dr. Vinay Kumar

Dermatology

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