 Dandruff is the shedding of excessive number of flakes from the scalp. There may be itching and redness. It usually gets worse during the winter and improves in the summer. Millions of people have dandruff. It is marked by itching and excessive flaking of the scalp. Dandruff isn't catching, but it can be embarrassing and surprisingly steadfast. The good news is that dandruff can be controlled. In mild cases you may need nothing more than daily shampooing. And mulish flakes often respond to medicated shampoos. Researchers have identified a yeast-like fungus that may cause dandruff.
For most people, the symptoms of dandruff are unmistakable: white flakes of dead skin that dot your hair and shoulders and an itchy scalp. Many conditions cause excessive skin scaling. They are:
- dry skin – it may occur in winter when the air is cold and rooms are overheated; it is the most common cause of itchy and flaking skin;
- contact dermatitis – sensitivities to some hair-care products may cause itchy scalp;
- seborrheic dermatitis is marked by red greasy skin covered with white or yellow flakes;
- psoriasis – it causes a conglomeration of skin flakes; your skin cracks and bleeds.
- scalp ringworm occurs originally in children younger than age 10; it starts as a red sore around a hair shaft — usually on the scalp but sometimes in the eyebrows or eyelashes.
Dandruff has been blamed on dry skin, oily skin, shampooing too often or not often enough, a poor diet, stress, and the use of too many fancy styling products. Some of these factors may strengthen scalp flaking.
Almost any adult is a candidate for dandruff. But certain factors can make you more susceptible. Dandruff usually begins at puberty. It's common throughout adolescence and young adulthood and peaks around age 40. As we know, far more men than women have dandruff. That’s why some researchers think male hormones may play a role in dandruff. Adults with neurological diseases are more credible to develop seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.
Dandruff is a chronic condition that can almost always be controlled. But it may take a little patience. Mild scaling can often be helped by daily cleansing with a gentle shampoo to reduce oiliness. Dandruff shampoos aren't all alike. You may need to experiment until you find one that works best for you. If one type of shampoo works for a time and then seems to lose its effectiveness you may try alternating between two types of dandruff shampoos.
It may be difficult to prevent dandruff completely. But it can be controlled. The condition may also improve as you get older.
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