I am 29, male. How to manage dandruff and increased hair fall?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 29-year-old male. I have been experiencing dandruff for the past two months, along with itching of the scalp and beard area. I have also noticed increased hair fall. I have not taken any treatment so far.

I am unsure of the exact cause, but stress may be a contributing factor. I would like to know the appropriate medical treatment and dietary advice to control this problem and prevent it from recurring in the future.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Based on your symptoms, you are likely experiencing seborrheic dermatitis, a common condition that causes dandruff, itching, and sometimes hair shedding due to inflammation.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that affects areas rich in oil glands, such as the scalp, face, and beard. It occurs when a natural yeast that lives on the skin, called Malassezia, grows excessively, leading to inflammation, redness, itching, and flaky or greasy scales. Stress, hormonal changes, weather, and even diet can trigger or worsen flare-ups, so it is not your fault that this condition occurs. While it can be uncomfortable and may affect your confidence, it is not contagious and can be effectively managed with proper care.

Lifestyle measures are also important to minimize flare-ups. These include managing stress, maintaining a balanced diet rich in vitamins and healthy fats, avoiding hot showers, avoiding harsh soaps or overwashing, and protecting your skin from extreme weather conditions. Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic condition with periods of flare-ups and remission, so ongoing care, early treatment of symptoms, and adherence to your prescribed routine are key to keeping it under control and minimizing hair shedding.

To manage the condition, start with Allerbec (Betamethasone dipropionate) lotion, applied to the scalp and beard twice daily for the first seven days, then once nightly for the next seven days to reduce inflammation and itching. Along with this, use Ketoscalp Shampoo (Ketoconazole and Zinc pyrithione) twice weekly on both the scalp and beard to control yeast growth and prevent flare-ups. If itching is troublesome, you may take Cetirizine 10 mg at bedtime for seven days to help relieve symptoms (after consulting the doctor).

You should recover from the flare within seven to ten days.

I hope this has helped you.

Please feel free to reach out to me again for further queries.

Thank you.