If you see white flakes all over the shoulders of your jacket, chances are you have dandruff. Although dandruff can be a nuisance, it is rarely a serious problem. Also, most cases of dandruff can easily be controlled without the need for medical intervention.
Causes
Skin cells form in the middle layer of the scalp or dermis and work their way up to the epidermis where they form an external layer, according to the Children, Youth and Women's Health Service. These dead cells eventually fall from the scalp in tiny flakes, particularly during hair brushing and washing, but people who have dandruff have flakes that form faster and shed in large, obvious quantities, according to Medical News Today.
Contributing Conditions
In some people with dandruff, a normally occurring scalp fungus called Malassezia becomes uncontrollable and feeds on oils that the hair follicles secrete. This irritates the skin and causes additional skin cells to grow, die and fall off in visible flakes, according to the Mayo Clinic. Other conditions that can cause visible dandruff are eczema and psoriasis of the scalp, hair product sensitivity and infrequently washed hair. A condition called seborrheic dermatitis, which causes oily and irritated skin, is also a frequent cause of severe dandruff, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Symptoms
Dandruff typically appears as oily-looking white flakes of dead skin that appear on the scalp, in the hair and often on the shoulders after they have fallen out, according to the Mayo Clinic. Dandruff may also cause mild to extreme itching and scaling on the scalp.
Other Signs and Symptoms
If seborrheic dermatitis is the cause of your dandruff, you may experience other symptoms in addition to large, greasy flakes on the scalp and in the hair. Common symptoms include a tight, sore, tingling and itchy head, according to Medical News Today. Babies, who can also be afflicted with seborrheic dermatitis, may exhibit a visible scaling and crusting scalp rash. Seborrheic dermatitis often affects skin all over the body, showing up as red, greasy and flaky patches of skin, says Medical News Today.
Treatment
Over-the-counter dandruff shampoos, which contain tar, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide or ketoconazole, may effectively reduce dandruff, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, since they don't all function in the same manner, you will likely need to experiment with different types until you find the most effective method of controlling the problem. The Mayo Clinic suggests that getting moderate amounts of sun, eating well, cutting back on the use of styling products, managing stress and shampooing regularly may help reduce dandruff.
