Dandruff is a chronic condition, which occurs due to dry or greasy scalp that produces flakes of dead skin cells. These flakes are found in the head or on the shoulders and can result in itching. Sometimes, frequent scratching may lead to hair fall. Although dandruff does not harm you, yet it can be embarrassing to have the condition. It originates while a person is in the age range of 10 to 20. It affects about 40% people above the age of 30.
Skin cells are continuously found on the scalp. Thus, if skin cells shed, it is a normal thing. However, dandruff makes the skin cells shed at a faster rate than usual. Sebum or oil in the scalp makes skin cells clump together and form white flakes. A more intense form of the inflammation of the skin is known as seborrheic dermatitis. So, beware of that red itchy scalp that has flaky scales. It could be seborrheic dermatitis. This condition resembles eczema, psoriasis or some allergy. In seborrheic dermatitis, redness and itchiness occur near the nose and the eyebrow areas in addition to the scalp.
Over 50 million people in the U.S. suffer from dandruff, which accounts for approximately 20% of the total U.S. population. As per Wiley Online Library, dandruff is a very common scalp disorder and affects both genders equally. It is prevalent in almost all races and ethnicities. Dandruff is more severely present in the winters and is comparatively mild in summers. It could be because of dry hair.
Nevertheless, other factors like stress or alcohol abuse could also contribute to dandruff. Also, someone having dandruff is more prone to have hair fall problem. They shed almost double the hair as compared to those, who do not have dandruff.
Dandruff can be of following types:
Common symptoms of dandruff are listed as follows:
Thus, the symptoms of dandruff are white flakes of dead skin in the hair or on the shoulders. Other symptoms include itchy, red and scaly scalp. Generally, flakes of dandruff are spread throughout the scalp. Scalp becomes dry and greasy and appears itchy. As skin cells start dying, they become yellowish. These yellowish and reddish scales appear near the ears, nose and chest. Also, it may be present in newly born babies in whom a thick rash may develop on the scalp. This is known as cradle cap.
The following are the risk factors for dandruff:
If you have a dry, flaky scalp, then it may be dandruff. But, it could possibly be a sign of some other condition like dry scalp. Although the symptoms of dandruff and dry scalp are similar, i.e., itchiness and falling flakes, these two are very different conditions.
In dry scalp, skin flakes off after getting irritated. In dandruff, however, it is too much oil on the scalp, which causes shedding of the skin cells. There could be other conditions like eczema, psoriasis or any allergy, which might give dandruff-like symptoms.
Thus, it is important to consult a doctor, who would identify the right cause of the condition and suggest you the best possible treatment.
Various factors that could lead to dandruff are:
One may use an antifungal or antidandruff shampoo once a week. This may help prevent dandruff.
Also, spend time in the sun, but in limit as too much exposure to the sun may have damaging effects on the skin. Dandruff is more severe in the winter months, so the best way to increase humidity is to buy humidifiers. Make sure humidifier is clean before you use it.
Reduce stress as stress aggravates dandruff. Stress may trigger or worsen the condition of dandruff. A little modification in one’s diet can also be beneficial. When it comes to dandruff, foods containing zinc, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B may be beneficial.
The symptoms of dandruff are quite explicit in itself that you may not require a formal diagnosis. The dry and white flakes indicate dandruff and no medical tests may be needed to identify it.
If one sees a doctor, he/she will look at the redness and color of the scaling on the scalp for the identification of the condition. When one visits the doctor for treating the condition, he/she usually begins by examining the scalp and skin for diagnosing dandruff and identifying its cause.
Also, make sure that you intimate your doctor about the hair styling products that you are using as these may also result in dandruff.
Dandruff, in most cases, can be controlled. In cases of mild dandruff, cleaning the head daily with a gentle shampoo for reducing oil and buildup or growth of excessive skin cells may be helpful. There are dandruff shampoos available depending on the medications they contain.
Apply these shampoos often or every day till the time your hair becomes completely free of dandruff. Once the dandruff is gone, one can still use these shampoos twice or thrice a week.
If you have religiously shampooed for many weeks, but still have not found any relief, then you must consult a doctor or dermatologist, who may suggest you a prescription-strength shampoo or treatment with steroid lotion.
There are many OTC medications available for dandruff. Ketoconazole topical, topical, salicylic acid topical, coal tar topical and selenium sulfide topical are some over-the-counter medicines that can be used to treat dandruff.
Following measures can be taken to self-manage the condition:
Some simple and natural remedies for treating dandruff are given below:
Spending some time in the sun, bringing about dietary modifications and using an anti-dandruff shampoo can help prevent dandruff from creeping in.
Academician, Shelly's rich experience as an academic and research professional speaks volume. Her fields of interest are genetics, biotechnology and drug research. Shelly keeps herself abreast with latest scientific researches all around the globe and loves to write about the same.
Our lives have been dealing with some disastrous happenings due to the global health crisis.…
A study led by researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine…
Researchers from several research institutes presented their results at the American Geophysical Union's fall meeting.…
A lot of us wait for the winters to arrive as it brings relief from…
While the world is aiming to develop vaccines to control covid-19, researchers at the Institute…
Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure affects large population across the world. Hypertension is…