What is Dandruff? Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

What is Dandruff actually? Dandruff is nothing but a scalp condition which causes flaky skin to appear. You might spy these dry flakes falling from hair on your shoulder. A severe form of dandruff which can cause scalp inflammation is known as Seborrhoeic Dermatitis. More than 50% of the population experience dandruff in their lifetime.

Symptoms of Dandruff

The most common symptom of dandruff is divulging patches of white flakes falling on the scalp. The other symptoms of dandruff include;

Causes of Dandruff

The common causes of dandruff varies among individuals and depends upon the susceptibility. Although the exact cause of dandruff is not clear but there are known to be microbial and non-microbial factors which can cause dandruff.

Microbial Factor

• Fungus Malassezia Furfur (previously known as Pityrosporum Ovale).

Non-Microbial Factors

• Any damage to the Stratum Corneum layer of scalp.
• Susceptibility to Oleic Acid.
• Dry Scalp.
• Irritated or Oily Scalp.
• Dirt Accumulation on Scalp.
• Sensitivity to Hair Cosmetics.
• Scalp Conditions like Psoriasis, Eczema etc.

How Dandruff Occurs?

Most of us thinks why dandruff occurs or how actually dandruff appears on our scalp? Dandruff is basically the result of an oily scalp which leads to the overproduction of Malassezia fungus which feeds on the sebum overgrowth. The basic mechanism of dandruff includes following steps;

Treatment of Dandruff

Occurrence of Dandruff is not related to poor hygiene and it is also not contagious. Dandruff can affect anyone and at any age and it can be treated easily. The treatment of dandruff includes various OTC Shampoos, Medical Treatments and different home remedies.

Shampoos: There are various anti-dandruff shampoos available which can treat dandruff effectively but one should be aware of the few ingredients that help to remove dandruff easily. Most anti-dandruff or anti-fungal shampoos include following ingredients;

• Ketoconazole: Among other ant-fungal agents, Ketoconazole seems to have the longer duration of anti-dandruff effect. Ketoconazole is an extensive range of anti-fungal or anti-mycotic agent which is active against Candida and Malassezia Furfur and effectively treats seborrheic dermatitis.
• Selenium Sulfide: It helps in managing dandruff by the natural oil’s production in scalp’s gland.
• Zinc Pyrithione: It possess both Anti-bacterial & Anti-fungal properties which slow down the growth of yeast production.
• Coal Tar: Coal Tar act as natural anti-fungal agent and helps in reducing in the excessive sebum production. But it should be should in trace amount.
• Salicylic Acid: Salicylic Acid slough away the extra dry flakes on the scalp and promotes the growth of healthy skin cells.
• Tea Tree Oil: It possess both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. 5% of Tea Tree Oil is expected to treat dandruff effectively.

Medical Treatment: If you have severe dandruff and these Over the Counters shampoo proves to be ineffective, then you should seek medical help and ask the doctor for help. Doctor will prescribe any medical shampoo or medications that will help to remove dandruff effectively.

Home remedies for Dandruff: There are various natural remedies to reduce dandruff naturally and are proven to be safe and effective in eradicating dandruff. Regular and carefully use of lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, tea tree oil etc. effectively reduces the dandruff at home.