Last Updated on: 17th September 2023, 11:01 pm
What is Dandruff?
Hair dandruff is a type of dandruff that manifests on the scalp and hair. It is different from skin dandruff, which manifests on the skin and scalp.
Dandruff is usually caused by an overproduction of oil and dry skin cells on the scalp. Hair dandruff can be caused by a number of factors like poor hygiene or neglecting to wash your hair for a few days, as well as conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea.
When you have dandruff, it usually means that there is an overgrowth of yeast in your scalp. These yeast cells are normally found on your scalp and serve a purpose to keep hair healthy. However, they may reproduce too quickly if you have an overgrowth of bacteria on the scalp or if you use harsh shampoos that strip away the natural oils from the scalp.
Key causes of dandruff can also be attributed to diet, stress levels, medication and environmental conditions.
What are the Causes of Dandruff?
Hair dandruff, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, is usually caused by scalp conditions such as dry skin or psoriasis. If it’s not an underlying condition, the cause of hair dandruff is usually one of three things: your shampoo, your skin care products or too much styling and heat to your hair.
Typically, dandruff is caused by the accumulation of a fungus called Malassezia globosa. This fungus feeds on sebum, the oily substance secreted by your sebaceous glands to keep your skin from drying out. If the fungus grows in abundance it can cause irritation and inflammation, leading to symptoms like redness and itching.
This fungus is usually spread through contact with other people who have it or from touching an object that someone else has touched that has it on it. The buildup of the fungi could be caused by excessive washing which might remove natural oils that keep skin healthy and hydrated. Your scalp might also be irritated because of weather or hair products you are using on them.
Dry scalp can happen as the result of over-washing hair or from not moisturizing it enough. It can also be caused by an underlying condition, including eczema or psoriasis. Some people say that dandruff can be caused by not washing your hair enough, which may result in oily hair and clogged pores. It is possible to have long-term dandruff as a result of showering too often or using the wrong shampoo.
Less likely causes of dandruff include benign skin diseases like psoriasis; excessive use of oils, lotions or powders on the scalp; bacterial skin infections like seborrheic dermatitis; fungal skin infections like candida; and autoimmune conditions such as lichen.
What are the Treatments for Dandruff in Men & Women?
There are many reasons why your scalp may be suffering from dandruff, including stress and a diet consisting of foods containing yeast or sugar. Make sure to address these underlying conditions before treating with any type of shampoo. Treatment for hair dandruff can include over-the-counter and prescription shampoos, as well as natural remedies and herbal hair treatments for your hair scalp.
Herbal treatments for hair dandruff are based on the same idea as more mainstream treatments: to treat the root. Many people will use shampoos that treat skin without knowing what it does. The chemicals in these products have the same effects on your scalp and produce a similar level of damage as they would to your skin.
On the other hand, herbal remedies and oils will be focused on removing excess oil production or inflammation from your scalp, without drying out your hair or creating a very rigid surface for your skin cells to build up on.
Herbal hair treatments for hair dandruff are effective in removing the symptoms of this condition: they reduce scaling and itching, eliminates flakes, soothes itching and inflammation and provides relief from dryness.
