If the skin on your scalp is dry, itchy and flaking off, you may have dandruff, says the Mayo Clinic. Dandruff may be caused by a variety of conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis. Regardless of the cause of your dandruff, your doctor can recommend a treatment that will help reduce flakes on your scalp and prevent itching and irritation. Dandruff treatments are available at drugstores or with a doctor's prescription.
Tar Shampoo
Tar shampoos, available over-the-counter at drugstores and grocery stores, may be effective in preventing dandruff caused by seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis, says the Mayo Clinic. Tar shampoos help slow down the rate that skin cells multiply and shed from the scalp, keeping the skin flake-free. Tar shampoo will also prevent itchiness and irritation, which is caused by the shedding of dead skin cells.
Zinc Pyrithione Shampoo
Zinc pyrithione shampoo is the active ingredient in a variety of popular over-the-counter dandruff shampoos. Shampoos that contain zinc pyrithione may work the most quickly on dandruff, says Diana Bihova, M.D., New York City dermatologist and clinical instructor at New York University Medical Center. Zinc pyrithione has anti-fungal properties that help reduce dandruff caused by seborrheic dermatitis, says the Mayo Clinic.
Salicylic Acid Shampoo
Shampoos that contain salicylic acid will help exfoliate the skin, eliminating flakes and making the skin less itchy. On the other hand, salicylic acid shampoos may also make the skin very dry and irritated, says the Mayo Clinic. To prevent irritation, use a moisturizing conditioner after applying shampoo that contains salicylic acid to the scalp, suggests the Mayo Clinic. This way, the scalp will stay hydrated and free of irritation.
Ketoconazole Shampoo
Shampoos that contains ketoconazole as an active ingredient are available either over-the-counter or by prescription, says the Mayo Clinic. Ketoconazole shampoos contain an anti-fungal medication that may help reduce dandruff and irritation in difficult cases that do not respond to other shampoos. Consult your doctor about a shampoo that contains ketoconazole if you have tried every other active ingredient and still notice flakes.
Selenium Sulfide Shampoo
Shampoos that contain selenium sulfide as an active ingredient are naturally blue in color and are available either over-the-counter or by a doctor's prescription. Selenium sulfide increases the lifetime of the skin cells on the scalp, preventing them from shedding. Because the shampoo is naturally blue, it may discolor hair that is very light blonde, white or gray. If you are concerned about selenium sulfide discoloring your hair color, consult your doctor.
