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Dandruff is a skin condition that mainly affects the scalp. It's a common disorder that causes the skin on the scalp to flake.
The condition is caused by dry skin, or the buildup of oil.
The main symptoms of dandruff are an itchy scalp and flakiness.
Another common symptom is skin flakes on the scalp, hair, eyebrows, beard or mustache, and shoulders.
The flakes are often more noticeable in darker hair.
The signs and symptoms of dandruff may be more severe if you're stressed. While Malassezia is not introduced to your scalp by nervousness or anxiety, it can thrive if your immune system is compromised.
Symptoms tend to flare up in cold, dry seasons. Low temperatures and lack of humidity promotes an abundance of the Malassezia fungus.
It's important to note that dandruff is not caused by poor hygiene. Of course, it may be more obvious if you don't not wash your hair regularly though.
Eczema is a condition that causes inflamed, itchy, cracked, and rough skin on areas of the body, including the scalp.
Contact dermatitis is a skin rash or irritation caused by touching something. Onset of the condition is essentially an allergic reaction after skin is exposed to an allergen, for example products such as hair dye, sprays, gels, or mousses.
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease that causes raised, scaly patches on the skin due to systemic inflammation. Symptoms of this often distressing condition include red, flaky, crusty, and sore patches of skin covered with silvery scales.
Cradle cap is a harmless skin condition that's common in babies and infants. The condition manifests itself as greasy, yellowish crusts on baby's scalp, eyebrows, and diaper area.
Dandruff usually begins in young adulthood and continues through middle age. But the elderly are not immune to the condition. In rare incidences, the problem can be lifelong.
Dandruff, or dry scalp: what's the difference? With dry scalp, your skin gets irritated and flakes off. With dandruff, the cause is too much oil on your scalp along with an overgrowth of yeast called Malassezia, a genus of fungi.
Malassezia is already on your skin. But excess oil causes skin cells to build up and then shed. Knowing which of these conditions you have can help you decide on the correct treatment.
A condition known as seborrheic dermatitis (SD) can promote the onset of dandruff. SD is a common, noncontagious, easy-to-manage skin condition. It causes a scaly rash on oily areas of the body like the scalp and face.
Being male increases your chances of getting dandruff. One reason for this that that male hormones, namely testosterone, play a big role in the production of sebum—and more sebum can mean more clumping of flakes.
And while men are more likely than women to report having dandruff, women are more likely than men to take the problem to the doctor, according to a survey published by The Washington Post.
In the same study, almost one third— 31%—of those surveyed said they chose their clothing based on their dandruff condition.
Interestingly, more men worry that dandruff is a sign of poor grooming than women. It isn't, of course. And dandruff can be controlled.
Even the worst, most unsightly, itchy, and unpleasant cases of dandruff can be treated. But how? Well, the best way to get rid of dandruff is to use anti-dandruff shampoo and scalp treatments.
It may sound obvious, but choosing the right shampoo is the first step in combating dandruff. And to get the best results, always follow the instructions on the bottle.
According to recommendations issued by the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), if you are Caucasian or Asian, shampoo daily and use dandruff shampoo twice a week. The AAD suggests African Americans only shampoo once a week using a dandruff shampoo.
Beware of coal tar shampoo. While experts generally agree that it's safe to use, dandruff shampoo that contains coal tar can discolor blond(e), gray, or white hair. Tar shampoo also has the potential to make your scalp more sensitive to sunlight.
Certain illnesses, including Parkinson's disease and other medical disorders that affect the nervous system, also seem to increase risk of dandruff. So does living with HIV or a weakened immune system.
Besides using branded over-the-counter or prescription anti-dandruff shampoos, you can experiment with home remedies. These include washing your hair with baking soda, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and aloe vera.
If after using anti-dandruff shampoo for a month symptoms persist or your dandruff condition worsens, make an appointment with your doctor or a dermatologist. Sometimes the symptoms can indicate other, more serious, conditions.
The good news is that, for most people, dandruff does not require medical attention. And looking after your hair can boost confidence and reinforce your self-esteem.
See also: How to establish a hair care routine
Dandruff can also be triggered by tinea capitis. Also known as ringworm, this skin condition is caused by a fungal infection. It's identified as a red or silver rash on the scalp, sometimes with patchy hair loss.
Click through and find out how to deal with dandruff.
Here's how to really deal with dandruff
The annoyingly common condition that sees a dry, itchy, and flaky scalp
HEALTH Dermatology
Dandruff is a common skin condition and can be annoying and embarrassing at times. In the majority of cases, dandruff is caused by an overgrowth of a type of fungus found naturally on most scalps. It's not a harmful disorder and you can't catch it. And after using the correct anti-dandruff shampoo, dandruff very often disappears. But symptoms of dandruff can also indicate a more serious medical condition. Furthermore, some people are more susceptible to it than others. So, are you suffering from a dry, itchy, and flaky scalp?
Click through and find out how to deal with dandruff.