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Causes and Treatment of Dandruff: Ditch The Itch & The Flake

Dr. Sreelekha Daruvuri

3 Min Read

Suffering from dandruff? Wondering what are the causes and treatment for dandruff? An itchy and flaky scalp is a very common condition that affects a lot of us. While dandruff is obviously not life-threatening but the itchy scalp and flakes can be irritating and might be a source of embarrassment. Dandruff can be easily treated and the milder cases need nothing more than regular shampooing with soft hair care products. For chronic cases, there are medicated shampoos which should be used after consulting a dermatologist. In this article, we will look into the dandruff causes and treatment.

Symptoms Of Dandruff

The main symptom of dandruff is the occurrence of white flakes which are often oily in appearance. These flakes are dead scalp skin that can be noticed on hair and shoulders. It also results in an itchy scalp which can also lead to hair loss. Weather conditions that contribute to dryness of skin can increase the condition such as during fall and winter. Check this out if you are facing excessive hair fall during winter.

Causes Of Dandruff

The following are some of the dandruff causes.

dandruff causes MFine

Irritated and oily scalp

This is one of the most common causes of dandruff. An Irritated scalp is marked by greasy, red patches which are covered by white or yellowish flakes. This condition is also known as seborrheic dermatitis and it might affect other areas of the body which are rich in oil glands such as the nose, behind the ears, groin and the breastbone region.

Not maintaining scalp hygiene

Not shampooing and oiling the hair for long durations of time can result in the buildup of oil and skin flakes, resulting in dandruff.

Fungal infection

A yeast-like fungus Malassezia is found on the scalp of most adults. This fungus in certain cases can irritate the scalp and result in excessive skin growth. The excess skin flakes off and gets deposited on the hair and shoulders.

Dry skin

The flakes from dandruff caused by dry skin are smaller and less oily than those caused by other causes. Dry skin is a very common condition and can happen to other areas of the body as well.

Sensitivity to hair products

Sensitivity to certain hair care products such as dyes and certain types of shampoos might result in a red and itchy scalp which might result in flaking.

Nutrition

A balanced diet helps in keeping the hair and scalp healthy. Foods that cause more oil production such as bad fats and dairy should be reduced or avoided. Additionally, a deficiency of vitamin B can result in dandruff.

Risk factors

There are certain risk factors that make one more susceptible to dandruff. Some of these risk factors are-

dandruff causes and treatment MFine - risk factors

Age

Dandruff usually shows itself during young adulthood and continues right up to middle age. However, older adults get affected by dandruff too and the problem can sometimes persist for lifelong.

Higher in males

Since men have more dandruff than women in general, there is some research pointing towards to connection between dandruff and male hormones. Read more on the causes of baldness in men.

Oily hair and scalp

The above-mentioned fungus, Malassezia feeds on the excessive oil in the scalp. Hence, having excessively oily hair can lead to dandruff.

Kinds of illnesses

Adults with neurological conditions like Parkinson’s and auto-immune disorders like HIV are more likely to suffer from dandruff.

Sharing towels and combs

Sharing combs and towels with those who have fungal infections can trigger dandruff in others.

Lifestyle changes to get rid of dandruff

Apart from taking care of diet and hygiene, there are certain lifestyle changes one can make to manage dandruff. The following is the natural dandruff treatment.

Stress management

Stress affects the overall health of an individual in a number of ways. It can trigger or worsen the condition of dandruff.

Getting enough sun

Light exposure to the sun without sunbathing is beneficial for dandruff. Sunbathing is not recommended as the ultraviolet rays can damage the skin and scalp.

Shampoo often

For those with an oily scalp, shampooing regularly or periodically can help them reduce dandruff.

Conclusion

If you are experiencing dandruff and looking for causes and treatment options, you can rely on MFine to provide you with the best online consultation services from top dermatologists. You will receive an accurate diagnosis for your scalp conditions and be able to discuss treatment options with qualified professionals. Download the MFine app today to have access to quality healthcare from the comfort of your own home.