Table of Contents
Introduction
Dandruff is a common hair concern that affects many people in their daily lives. In medical terms, dandruff refers to the skin on the scalp which has flakes. The white flakes might fall off the skin and create embarrassment in social situations.Â
Dandruff is exceedingly frequent (over one crore instances each year in India) and affects 90% of the world’s population. But have you ever thought about what is causing you dandruff?
To get rid of dandruff completely, it is vital to understand its signs, causes and treatment option. Read this informative blog that covers all of this information.
Dandruff: Causes, Signs and symptoms
When the skin on your scalp starts to flake and fall off, it is known as dandruff. Some people may have big flakes, and others may have small (fine powder) flakes. There are a few predominant visible signs and symptoms of dandruff like
- Skin that is white, greasy, and flaky.
- Itchy scalp
- White flakes
- Red patches on the skin
Although it is easy to identify dandruff on your scalp, it is tricky to know the root cause. Here, it becomes essential to choose the right dermatologist and know the root cause of dandruff.
Let’s now jump on to some causes of dandruff.
Causes
The first step in treating dandruff is to understand what causes it. You can treat dandruff much more easily once you’ve shortlisted what’s irritating your scalp enough to cause it. Here are some of the most frequent dandruff reasons.
- Irritated and greasy skin (seborrheic dermatitis)Â
It is characterized by red, greasy skin coated in flaky white or yellow scales. Seborrheic dermatitis can affect your scalp and other oil gland-rich areas like your forehead, sides of your nose, and backs of your ears.
- Insufficient washingÂ
When you don’t wash your hair regularly, oils and skin cells from your scalp can build up and cause dandruff.
- MalasseziaÂ
It is a yeast-like fungus that lives on the scalps of most adults. However, it can irritate the scalp and cause more skin cells to proliferate in some people.
- Dry skinÂ
 Results in flakes that are smaller and less greasy.
- Haircare sensitivities (contact dermatitis) – Sensitivities to specific substances in hair care products or hair dyes can cause a red, itchy, scaly scalp.
Once the cause is known, your dermatologist will help you choose the best dandruff treatment. It’s finally time to know how you can get rid of dandruff completely.
Dandruff Treatment Options
The treatment options include medical shampoos, self-care and some natural dandruff remedies to clean the scalp area. These options cover:
Medicated Shampoos
Your doctor will recommend a specific shampoo to ease itching and flaking. These shampoos have specific ingredients that help with one of your dandruff concerns. Some of these shampoos include:
- Zinc Pyrithione – Antibacterial shampoo
- Salicylic acid (selenium sulfide) – Medicated shampooÂ
- Ketoconazole – Antifungal shampooÂ
- Fluocinolone shampoos
- Tar-based shampoos, etc.
To know what will help you, consult a dermatologist. You can click here to book an appointment with one right now.
Self-care is important
Self-care is always required to keep our self-calm and happy. Take care of your hair and hair wash routine, along with other things like staying calm and controlling your anxiety. Wash your hair twice a week, and don’t forget to oil them at regular intervals.
Natural Treatments
You can use natural dandruff home remedies that are simple to employ, efficient, and have no negative side effects. Just a few examples are:
- Tea tree oilsÂ
- Coconut oil (coconut oil)Â
- Aloe vera Â
- Apple cider vinegarÂ
- AspirinÂ
- Omega-3 fatty acidsÂ
- ProbioticsÂ
- Soda (baking)
Conclusion
Dandruff is a common problem, and you can get treatment easily. However, some people don’t go to a doctor and try different random products independently. This increases their problem instead of solving it.
At Urban Skin and Hair Clinic, we help you know ‘what is causing you dandruff’ and then work on curing it. Make sure to book an appointment with our dermatologist to say goodbye to dandruff.
