Author: Alex Thompson

Dandruff Symptoms and causes

It could potentially help with wet dandruff by relieving irritation on the scalp. The effects of seborrheic dermatitis on hair are usually minimal, but research has shown that hair loss can occur. “Sometimes what you think is dandruff is simply product debris, like hair gel or hair spray,” says McMichael. SD causes visible signs of inflammation, whereas dandruff symptoms usually involve mildly reddened skin. Learn more about the types, symptoms, causes, and treatment of dandruff.

People who tend to have oilier hair or live with certain illnesses (such as Parkinson’s disease or HIV) are also at higher risk. You may have started to notice symptoms around puberty, but dandruff can develop at any age. Apply 3 to 4 tablespoons of aloe vera to the scalp, then wrap a hot and damp towel around your head for 30 minutes.

You may find it hard to tell the difference between dandruff and dry scalp, as they can both present similarly. Both can cause flakes and an itchy sensation on your scalp. So what exactly is your scratchy scalp trying to tell you? Read up on the most common symptoms of dandruff and ways to get your scalp healthy again. Dandruff can have many causes, including fungus and shampooing too often or not enough.

How to get rid of dandruff

Always speak to a healthcare provider before using a scalp scrub for wet dandruff. Skin conditions that cause dandruff should be diagnosed and treated by a healthcare provider. 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). They produce the oily, waxy substance that lubricates the skin and hair, called sebum. Treating a dry scalp usually involves switching to a gentle, unmedicated shampoo that contains as few additives as possible that may remove moisture from your scalp.

The condition comes and goes throughout a person’s lifetime, but the symptoms can be managed effectively with treatment. “We can differentiate whether the patient has overactive oil glands, simply dryness and dehydration causing scaling and flaking, or a combination thereof.” Use an anti-dandruff shampoo for a minimum of 2 to 3 weeks. If you don’t experience an improvement, switch to a product that has a different active ingredient.

1. This article discusses home remedies and prescription treatments for wet dandruff and which ones to use depending on the cause.
2. This fungal infection can be treated with oral medication.
3. These medicated shampoos are often recommended for daily use when they are first started.

If the OTC shampoos don’t alleviate your dandruff symptoms, consult with a healthcare provider about the possible use of a prescription shampoo. Other than zinc pyrithione, the most common anti-dandruff actives (outside the US) and part of many cosmetic shampoos, are piroctone olamine and climbazole. Very recent anti-dandruff shampoos use a new ester technology, propanediol caprylate. If you have an excessively oily scalp and it’s causing wet dandruff, you may need to wash your scalp and hair more often.

How Is Dandruff Diagnosed?

We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions. Oiling your scalp “Certain oils applied to the scalp can cover the scale, but worsen the flaking and itching response,” notes McMichael. Shampooing habits “For those who are already at risk for dandruff, washing infrequently can worsen the condition,” says Dr. McMichael. Taking extended breaks can lead to a buildup of oil that can lead to dandruff.

This kind of shampoo can discolor light hair and make your scalp more sensitive to the sun. If you use it, make sure you take extra precautions when you’re exposed to sunlight. Skin cells that grow and die off too fast are the cause of dandruff, but doctors don’t know why this happens. The signs and symptoms may be more severe if you’re stressed, and they tend to flare in cold, dry seasons. The flakes are often more noticeable in darker hair and if they fall from your scalp onto your shoulders.

If your wet dandruff is tied to a skin disorder, you should visit a healthcare professional to get the best treatment for your condition. The itching and flaking of dandruff can almost always be controlled. For mild dandruff, first try regular cleansing with a gentle shampoo to reduce oil and skin cell buildup.

“Shampoo has a precipitate that once applied takes several minutes to separate itself out to allow it to remain on the skin to become active.” Read and follow the directions on each bottle of shampoo you try. Some products need to be left on for a few minutes, while others need to be rinsed off quickly. If you develop itching or stinging from any product, stop using it.

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Mild dandruff can usually be treated with a gentle shampoo. Shampooing daily can reduce the oil on the scalp and prevent the buildup of dead skin cells. Most people with dandruff don’t require a doctor’s care. See your primary care doctor or a doctor who specializes in skin conditions (dermatologist) if your condition doesn’t improve with regular use of dandruff shampoo. Anti-dandruff shampoos can help you manage and reduce wet dandruff.

While dandruff can be annoying and embarrassing at times, it usually doesn’t indicate a more serious health issue. The itching and flaking often respond well to OTC shampoos and treatments. Keep trying different brands and types until you find something that works for you. Typical ingredients include ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, coal tar, and zinc pyrithione. Flakes and an itchy, scaly scalp are the main symptoms of dandruff. White, oily flakes typically accumulate in your hair and on your shoulders and often get worse during the fall and winter months, when the air is dry.

This will help prevent sebum from accumulating on your scalp, which causes wet dandruff. A type of fungus called Malassezia yeast may also be instrumental in the development of dandruff This yeast grows in the sebum. It’s thought to contribute to an inflammatory response in some people, which can show up on the skin as redness, flaking, and itching. “Be careful and aware how you use your shampoo.” Dr. Davis says most dandruff shampoos need to be left on the scalp for more than five minutes. You can treat both types of dandruff with special shampoos that have active ingredients designed to reduce irritation and rehydrate the scalp. However, this method may not be ideal for those with a scalp condition.

Types of Dandruff

You might need to try more than 1 type to find a shampoo that works for you. By Angelica BottaroAngelica Bottaro is a professional freelance writer with over 5 years of experience. Coconut oil, olive oil, and sunflower seed oil aren’t just for the kitchen. We dive into the science-backed benefits of these oils, and a dermatologist… This noninvasive procedure may help you reduce areas of stubborn body fat, but be aware of the risks (including paradoxical adipose hyperplasia).

It can usually be effectively treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medicated shampoo. This type of yeast also produces a by-product that causes the skin cells to clump together, forming the flakes commonly seen in dandruff. The symptoms include white to yellowish or gray flakes that appear in the hair and on the shoulders as they fall from the head. These medicated shampoos are often recommended for daily use when they are first started.