Oily hair is distasteful by most people because that usually means it is not washed frequently enough. It can have physical consequences if the hair is chronically neglected. Dandruff thrives on greasy scalps, because the oil is a contributing factor. The flakes add to the unsightliness of dirty hair.
Definition
Dandruff is a skin condition that usually affects the scalp, although certain types can affect the ears, eyebrows, armpits and the area around the nose. The Mayo Clinic explains that there are different causes of dandruff which all manifest themselves in similar ways. Seborrheic dermatitis is the most common type, and the one that can spread to other areas. Dandruff is also caused by a fungus called malassezia, which feeds on natural oils and triggers overgrowth of skin cells that flake off in clumps.
Symptoms
Dandruff does not cause greasy hair, but oil contributes to the problem so people with this skin condition tend to have oily scalps. They also have white or yellow flakes dotting their hair and falling off onto their shoulders, and their scalp skin reddens. The National Institutes of Health, or NIH, states that dandruff is itchy, and excess scratching sometimes leads to infection. Severe cases can cause hair loss.
Factors
The Mayo Clinic explains that people with oily hair are more prone to dandruff because seborrheic dermatitis thrives on greasy skin. The malassezia fungus feeds on oil so it is also more prone to grow out of control in dirty hair. Men have larger oil glands on their scalps, so their hair gets greasy more quickly than women. This makes them more likely to develop dandruff, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Treatment
Dandruff is usually treatable at home, according to NIH. Regular hair washing with medicated shampoo cuts down the oil and gets rid of the flakes. Zinc, coal tar, salicylic acid, resorcin, selenium and ketoconazole are all common active ingredients in over-the-counter shampoos. The shampoo must be applied and massaged into the hair for at least five minutes before it is rinsed out, the NIH explains. Doctors can prescribe stronger treatments or lotion for dandruff that has spread beyond the scalp.
Prevention
Preventing oily hair helps prevent dandruff because it reduces the conditions necessary for the skin problem to develop. Hair should be washed every day, and people who are prone to dandruff should not use oily products like mousse, sprays and styling gels. Hair might need to be washed more often by people who get sweaty from exercise or physical exertion.
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