Dandruff is a common skin condition that affects millions of women. It is an embarrassing problem often considered contagious or the result of poor hygiene, but neither is true. Visible dead skin cells that shed from the scalp and land on clothing may affect a person's psyche and self-esteem. As a result, many women may seek treatment for psychological reasons, but the physiological issues should be addressed as well to manage and control the skin disorder.
Cause
Women's dandruff can be caused by a number of things. A skin fungus called Malassezia furfur that grows too quickly and disturbs normal skin cell regeneration is the most common cause of scalp shedding, according to the Mayo Clinic. Dandruff may also be caused by an oily scalp; a harsh shampoo; hair products such as dyes, hair spray or gel; excessive use of hair dryers and curling irons; poor health or nutrition; emotional stress; or genetics.
Symptoms
Signs of dandruff include dry, fine flaky skin on the scalp, excessive itching and burning on your head. Inflammation of the scalp might also occur. Sometime people do not have any scalp symptoms but have white flakes on their shoulders because of the expedited skin renewal process on the scalp. The skin cells that shed in the process may do so in clumps that are visible to the naked eye, especially when they land on dark clothing.
Treatment
In mild cases of dandruff, washing with a gentle shampoo every day can reduce skin cell buildup and oiliness. If this is unsuccessful, over-the-counter (OTC) remedies can be sought, according to the Mayo Clinic. Anti-dandruff shampoo such as Head & Shoulders, Selsun Blue, Pert Plus and others usually contain zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, coal tar or ketoconazole, which can help with scalp irritation, reduce skin fungus or slow skin flaking. If OTC treatments are unsuccessful after several weeks, consult a clinician. Prescription-strength shampoo or steroid lotions may be necessary.
Warning
If your scalp becomes red and extremely itchy or if there are flakes around your nose, eyebrows or behind the ears, you should consult a clinician. These are symptoms for a condition called seborrheic dermatitis, according to the American College of Dermatology. Additionally, if your dandruff is lumpy or patchy, or if you have scaly skin elsewhere, you may have psoriasis.
Lifestyle Changes
For some people, dandruff worsens when they have stress, anxiety, and tension, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Worrying about children or work, not getting enough sleep or fluctuating hormones may exacerbate dandruff. Relaxation exercises such as yoga, tai chi or meditation may be helpful. Taking control of your mental and emotional health may have an impact on the physical problem of dandruff.
