Most healthy people harbor a yeast-like fungus called malassezia on their scalps, according to the Mayo Clinic. Most never realize it's there, but it grows excessively on certain people. This causes irritation, skin cell overgrowth and shedding of large flakes, which are all characteristic of the condition called dandruff. Oily hair is a contributing factor, the Mayo Clinic says.
Cause
Oily hair helps cause dandruff because the oil provides food for the malassezia fungus, the Mayo Clinic says. Skin glands on the scalp normally secrete oil. This provides food for rapidly multiplying fungus. People who naturally produce more oil or let their hair get dirty are more prone to dandruff because it provides nourishment for excess malassezia.
Factors
Two different factors link oily hair to dandruff. Personal hygiene is the first, as hair gets greasy when not washed regularly. People who do not shampoo their hair daily build up an excess of oil, even if their glands don't normally produce too much. The second factor is gender because men tend to have larger oil glands on their scalps, which naturally make more oil. Male hormones also seem to play a role, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Treatment
Dandruff shampoos work in different ways, depending on the active ingredient, but they do not slow oil production. Zinc pyrithione and ketoconazole act on the fungus, according to the Mayo Clinic, while selenium sulfide and tar reduce skin cell shedding and salicylic acid eases scaling. The National Institutes of Health recommends working shampoo into the hair and massaging the scalp to loosen flakes. Continue for five minutes before rinsing out the product.
Prevention
Regular shampooing helps prevent dandruff by keeping hair clean and minimizing oil. People who get dandruff easily can use medicated shampoo twice each week to ward off recurrences, the NIH advises. Use a regular shampoo on the other five days. Avoid greasy, sticky or heavy products such as gel, mousse, oil or holding sprays as much as possible, the Mayo Clinic recommends. Wash them out completely at the end of the day if they must be used for a certain hairstyle.
Considerations
The Mayo Clinic says dry skin is sometimes mistaken for dandruff because it also causes itchiness and flaking. This condition can be distinguished from dandruff because the flakes are small and dry, and the scalp is not excessively oily. Dry skin usually happens during the winter because heating systems dry out the air.
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