What is dandruff

• Dry skin–related dandruff: This is the most common type of dandruff, which usually occurs during the winter months (from cold, dry weather) and is linked with using hot water to shampoo the hair (which dries out the scalp). • Oil-related dandruff: This occurs from a buildup of sebum (oil) on the scalp. The oil can clump the dead skin cells on the scalp together with oil, forming itchy flakes. • Yeast-related dandruff: This is caused by Malassezia yeast, which is a type of fungus that lives on excess oil. It produces a byproduct that causes the skin cells to clump together, which is the cause of the white flakes seen in dandruff. There is some disagreement about whether dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis (SD) are the same condition. According to a study, dandruff is restricted to the scalp, and involves itchy, flaking skin without visible inflammation. SD, on the other hand, is said to affect the scalp as well as the face, the behind-the-ears area, and the upper chest. Causes Although the exact cause of dandruff is not well understood, some experts surmise that it is the result of too much oil (sebum) from the oil glands (sebaceous glands). Sebaceous glands are located in the hair follicles, and they produce the oily, waxy substance that lubricates the skin and hair, called sebum. • Having excessively oily hair and skin on the scalp • Being a certain age (people from young adulthood to middle age have a higher risk of getting dandruff than do older people) • Having a heal...

What Is Dandruff? Dandruff is a common scalp condition that that causes flaky skin and an itchy scalp. What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Dandruff? Common signs and symptoms of dandruff include: • white flakes of dead skin in your hair and on your shoulders • red, crusty, or raw areas on your scalp • an itchy scalp What Causes Dandruff? Dandruff is a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis. The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is not known, but it's likely a combination of things like: • too much skin oil (sebum) in the oil glands and hair follicles • a type of Malassezia Stress, cold and dry winter weather, and some hair care products may make dandruff worse. Dandruff isn't contagious. You can't catch it from or give it to another person. Who Gets Dandruff? Almost anyone can have dandruff. Many teens and adults live with it. Hormone levels are high during teen years, which causes more oil production. This may be why dandruff usually begins around How Is Dandruff Diagnosed? Health care providers can diagnose dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis based on symptoms (like an itchy scalp and flakes on the shoulders) and an exam. How Is Dandruff Treated? In most cases, over-the-counter dandruff shampoo can control a person's dandruff. Check the labels for these common "active ingredients": • selenium sulfide 1% shampoo (such as Selsun Blue®, or a store brand) • zinc pyrithione shampoo (such as Head & Shoulders®, Zincon®, DHS zinc®, or a store brand) • tar-based shampoo (such as T-Gel...

If you're familiar with the dandruff can happen to anyone, and it has nothing to do with hygiene. But while it's nothing to be ashamed of, it's entirely understandable if you'd prefer to not see the telltale oily flakes in your hair and on your darker-colored tops — especially if they come with the discomfort dandruff can cause on the scalp. That said, washing too much can, ironically, lead to the other kind of flakes. "Whereas leaving residue and build-up of natural oils will result in dandruff, stripping the normal oils too aggressively will lead to dry scalp," Prather says. "Often people will end up in a vicious cycle of over-treating their dandruff, resulting in a dry, irritated scalp." 2. Certain styling products are working against you. Pay attention to the ingredients in your favorite products — especially sprays. "Products with alcohol can cause dryness, which actually triggers more sebum production that leads to dandruff," says Mraz Robinson, who also recommends avoiding products that contain an ample amount of fragrance. Prather also suggests applying certain types of products on the lengths and ends of your hair — not the scalp. "Over-treating the scalp with conditioners or oil-based hair products may exacerbate dandruff," she says. But it doesn't necessarily matter which product you're using if you aren't following the aforementioned advice of washing your hair regularly. "If you're not shampooing frequently enough, hair-care products can add to the buildup of ...

Dandruff Like lice, dandruff can be itchy, but it is usually not as intense as the itching caused by lice. The drier the scalp, the more dandruff will usually itch. When you have dandruff, your scalp generally feels either very oily or very dry. You may notice that symptoms worsen during the colder months due to the dry air. Lice Lice are highly contagious. If you come into close contact with someone with lice, such as from hugging, the lice can easily crawl from their head to yours. Lice cannot jump or fly. Sharing hats or hair brushes is another way to become infected with lice, but head-to-head contact is the most common. Lice Lice can usually be treated at home with an over-the-counter medicated shampoo according to the package directions. It is important to carefully comb the nits out of the hair as well. Nits are usually found within one-quarter inch of the scalp. Nits found further down the hair shaft are usually not viable and will not grow into lice. • Avoid using conditioner in the hair until it is completely free of lice and nits. Conditioner can act as a barrier that blocks the medicated shampoo from adhering to and treating the hair shaft. • Since lice need a human host to survive, wash any items that could transfer them to a new host. This includes clothing, bedding, stuffed animals, hats, and any other items that came in contact with the person’s head. The CDC recommends washing all items in hot water over 130 degrees F to kill both the lice and nits. Items ...

Share on Pinterest Dandruff flakes from the scalp, but nits stick to the hair. Dandruff, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes the top layer of skin to shed too quickly. This shedding produces a dry, flaky, itchy scalp. People with dandruff may also notice flakes of skin on their clothes. Yeast causes some types of dandruff that tend to be particularly itchy. Lice are parasites that live on the scalp and eat human blood. Lice can cause intense itching. Head lice do not spread diseases, but they are highly contagious. Close contact with the head or hair of a person with lice — such as from sharing hairbrushes or giving hugs — can spread the infestation. Young children often hug or touch each other, and so head lice are more common in kids than adults and families with kids. Some important differences between lice and dandruff include: • Location: Lice lay eggs called nits while dandruff causes flaky skin. The two look similar, but close inspection reveals key differences. Nits stick to the hair while dandruff flakes, easily falling off of hair. While dandruff is visible on the scalp, lice lay eggs on hair, not the scalp. • Contagion: Dandruff is not contagious, but lice spread easily from person to person. If a classmate, friend, or family member has recently had lice, lice could be the reason why a person develops an itchy scalp. • Itching: Dandruff and lice both itch. Dandruff tends to itch more when the scalp is dry. People with lice may fe...

Dandruff is a common scalp condition that can affect anyone. It’s often associated with poor hygiene, but that’s a misconception—no one’s really sure what causes it. One of the more likely culprits is hormones, but there are many factors that could be causing the problem. And plenty of things can make dandruff worse, including not brushing your hair enough, dry skin, over production of yeast on the scalp, and underlying skin conditions like Although it can be embarrassing to deal with, dandruff doesn’t usually require a trip to the doctor. "Dandruff isn't usually a sign of something more serious, but if your scalp is red, tender, isn't responding to over-the-counter treatments, or appears to be infected, it's important to see your doctor right away," says dermatologist Dr. Ohara Aivaz. • Tea tree oil – This oil has been shown to work as an anti-inflammatory and an anti-microbial agent. Add a few drops to your shampoo and wash your hair as normal. • Sun exposure – Getting a little sun can help many skin ailments and reduce yeast production on the scalp. Just be sure you use don’t overdo it—sun exposure can damage your skin and • Increase Omega-3 intake – Omega-3s can help regulate oil production on the skin. A deficiency of these fatty acids could make dandruff symptoms worse. • Reduce stress – While not directly responsible for dandruff, • Dandruff shampoo - The most common treatment for dandruff is over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoos. These products aim to slow skin c...