Don't break your head fighting dandruff. Most likely, the cause of dandruff and shedding in general is a skin problem that can be treated.
Why you get flakes
Most of the time, skin renews itself without you even realizing it. Dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis happens when skin cells renew themselves faster than normal. They tend to be white or yellowish-white, and they fall off the head easily.
The cause of dandruff is not clear. It is suspected to be hormone-related, because dandruff worsens during adolescence. It may also have to do with a type of fungus that overgrows the scalp. But it is not at all related to poor hygiene.
Flakes are common in certain families. You are more likely to have dandruff if you are male or have overweight or oily skin. Some diseases such as Parkinson's disease can also cause dandruff.
There may be other causes for the skin on your head to become flaky and dandruff to form: ? Shampooing too little or too often ? Not rinsing shampoo well ? Cold weather ? Stress ? A bad reaction to hair products ? A skin problem called scalp psoriasis ? A skin condition called eczema ?
Six tips to combat dandruff ?
You don't need to avoid dark clothing forever. Try these tips:
? Wash your hair frequently. This helps remove flakes from the head. Some people should shampoo daily; others should shampoo less often. You can use a regular shampoo if you have mild dandruff.
? If frequent shampooing with regular shampoo doesn't work, try a dandruff shampoo. Start by using it daily. As dandruff disappears, alternate with regular shampoo. Different brands of dandruff shampoo contain different ingredients, so you may need to try a few to find the right one for you. Look for shampoos with selenium sulfide, tar, zinc pyrithione or salicylic acid.
? When using dandruff shampoo, wash twice and lather your head for five minutes. This helps the shampoo to be more effective.
? Use a conditioner after dandruff shampoo. It will help keep hair from drying out.
? Try not to scratch if the flakes itch. It won't stop flakes from forming. Also, you may get blood or hair loss, which will make the problem worse.
When to see a doctor
Go to a dermatologist or skin doctor if none of these tips help. The doctor may prescribe a stronger shampoo containing the antifungal quetoconazole.
Another cause of scaling may be a disorder such as scalp psoriasis. In such a case, your doctor will recommend other treatments.
