Dandruff is the shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. It is a common scalp disorder affecting almost half of the population at the post-pubertal age and of any sex and race. It often causes itching.
The severity of dandruff may fluctuate with season as it often worsens in winter. Dandruff is rare before puberty, peaks in the teens and early twenties, and declines with age thereafter.
Dandruff can have several causes, including:
- Irritated, oily skin (seborrheic dermatitis). This condition, one of the most frequent causes of dandruff, is marked by red, greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales.
- Not shampooing often enough. If you don’t regularly wash your hair, oils and skin cells from your scalp can build up, causing dandruff.
- Yeast called malassezia, which aggravate your scalp and cause excess skin cell growth.
- The extra skin cells die and fall off, making them appear white and flaky in your hair or on your clothes.
- Dry skin. Flakes from dry skin are generally smaller and less oily than those from other causes of dandruff.
- Different personal care products may cause contact dermatitis, which makes your scalp red and itchy.
- Hypoparathyroidism: This condition causes the parathyroid gland in your neck to produce too little parathyroid hormone, which decreases the level of calcium in your blood. Calcium is a key nutrient for healthy hair, as well as bones, teeth, and other tissues.
Simple solutions to treat your dry hair:
- Wash your hair less often; once or twice a week instead of every day.
- Use a mild shampoo made specifically to help dry hair because it will have fewer drying detergents.
- Use hair products that don’t have alcohol.
- Follow the shampoo with a moisturizing conditioner. It will keep cuticles lying flat so they hold in natural oils.
- Massage jojoba oil or coconut oil into your scalp to replenish moisture.
- Avoid using hair stylers too much.
