DANDRUFF TREATMENT

In my last post we discussed What is Dandruff ? Today We go a step ahead.

What are the causes of Dandruff?

• Exposure to excesses of heat and cold also give way to excessive shedding and dandruff.
• Excess of perspiration and climatic factors also aid the development of dandruff.
• Early maturity of cells leads to increased and frequent shedding, which is facilitated by marked production of sebum..
• A micro organism by the name of ‘Malasezzia’ yeast is also responsible for causing dandruff.
• Sometimes the condition may develop as a result of allergic reaction with the scalp’s exposure to chemicals.
• Psychological stress, improperly balanced diet and lack of immunity may also facilitate the growth of dandruff.

Symptoms of Dandruff

• White flakes of dead skin in the hair and on the shoulders, as well as an itchy, red, or scaly scalp. Common dandruff flakes are usually scattered throughout the scalp.  
• Along with shedding the scalp may be itchy and irritating. 
• At times there may be inflammation of scalp
• Other than cases of oily scalp, dandruff may give way to loss of hair
• On account of dandruff one may suffer from social inferiority and depression.
• Yellowish or reddish scaling can appear on the hairline, in and around the ears, or on the nose and chest. Affected newborn babies may get a thick and crusty rash on the scalp, called cradle cap.   
  
  

What doesn't help dandruff?

• Moisturizing: Moisturizing lotions don't do much more than smooth out scales and make patches look redder.
• Switching antiperspirants: When underarms are red from seborrhea, almost anything will make them redder, including antiperspirants, even though they are only aggravating the seborrhea and not causing it.
• Switching brands of shampoo: Shampoo doesn't cause dandruff. However, medicated shampoos can help.
• Changing hair-care routines: There is no "right" shampoo or conditioner, nor is there a "correct" number of times to shampoo per week; seborrhea and dandruff are not caused by excessive shampooing "drying out the scalp." Hair dyes and conditioners do not cause or aggravate dandruff.
  

   

  Treating and Preventing Dandruff

  • Try shampooing with a non-medicated shampoo, massaging the scalp firmly, and then rinsing well. Frequent shampooing removes flakes, reduces oiliness, and prevents dead skin cell buildup. If this fails to help, special antidandruff shampoos are usually helpful.
  • When selecting an over-the-counter shampoo, look for antidandruff ingredients such as ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, sulfur, coal tar, or zinc pyrithione. 
  • Shampoos that contain ketoconazole appear to be more effective in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff when compared with other non-prescription medicated shampoos. Salicylic acid preparations are mostly used for dandruff caused by psoriasis, while sulfur and coal tar preparations are generally used for dandruff caused by seborrheic dermatitis.
  • If non-prescription preparations are not successful after 2 weeks, or if the condition worsens, you should consider seeing a doctor. A doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid lotion to be applied to the scalp. Never use corticosteroids for a long period of time without advice from a doctor. They can thin out the skin and cause other side effects.
  • For an infant with cradle cap, apply a small amount of mineral oil to the dry areas of the scalp to soften the scales and then shampoo it out. Then remove the scales by gentle brushing. You can then wash the infant's hair with mild baby shampoo. If these measures do not help, try applying a small amount of warmed mineral oil at bedtime and then shampooing it out in the morning. If this isn't effective, talk to your child's doctor about next steps
  • To help keep dandruff under control, shampoo frequently, reduce your stress levels, try reducing your use of hair products (e.g., gels and sprays), and eat a healthy diet. 
  
  

 Natural Remedies to Reduce Dandruff

• Self care regimen can go a long way in assuring relief from dandruff. Equally effective can be the application of natural remedies.
• Keeping in mind the contagious nature of dandruff it is imperative that one does not use combs used by others. It is always better to have individual sets of combs.
• Consumption of food enriched with Vitamin B such as whole grains, egg yolk, nuts and cauliflower helps overcome dandruff. At times supplements of Biotin is also helpful.
• Consumption of food high in their oily content should be avoided along with beverages based on alcohol and carbonated drinks. However consumption of food enriched with Omega 6 fatty acids is helpful from the point of view of curbing the growth of dandruff.
• Unclean hair lacking in maintenance and proper nourishment aid the growth of dandruff. So cleaning and washing of hair with medicated or herbal shampoo are of immense importance.
• One should be cautious about the choice of shampoo. It is worth mentioning in this context that egg based shampoo serves to overcome excess flaking.
• You may purchase or prepare an egg based shampoo by combining egg and water.
• After washing of hair, it is important that you pat it dry as moisture serves to breed dandruff.
• According to naturopathic mode of treatment, paste of fenugreek helps overcome the itchy scales of dandruff, when applied to scalp.
• Rinsing hair with water soaking or boiling neem leaves is also advantageous from the point of view of dandruff.
• Equally useful is the application of cider vinegar followed by washing the scalp after an hour.
• Topical use of tea oil is also advantageous with four to five drops of the same being added to your shampoo meant for washing the dandruff prone scalp. Besides tea oil, flaxseed oil and oil enriched with Vitamin E can also be added to an egg based shampoo for washing the dandruff stricken scalp.