Most people have hair hiding the skin on their scalps. They may not realize it is reddened when they get dandruff, although telltale flakes usually alert them to the problem. This condition typically happens between young adulthood and midlife, according to the Mayo Clinic, and the redness and other symptoms are annoying but controllable.
Definition
Dandruff is a skin condition usually associated with the scalp, but the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, states that it can sometimes be found on or behind the ears, in the eyebrows, and in skin creases around the lips and nose. Its official name is seborrheic dermatitis, and it noticeably inflames the affected skin.
Symptoms
Dandruff can inflame the scalp badly enough to redden the skin, according to the NIH. Other affected parts of the body can also turn red. The condition's other symptoms include scales that break off into yellow or white flakes, greasy patches, itchiness and soreness, the Mayo Clinic advises. Crusty patches and scales appear on the scalp, and the scales also attach themselves to the hair shafts.
Cause
A yeast known as malessizia is the primary cause of seborrheic dermatitis, according to NIH. It is naturally present on the scalp, and it usually causes no problems. Sometimes it grows too rapidly, especially if the scalp is oily, and leads to flaking, redness and other dandruff symptoms. Dirty hair contributes to the problem, as does stress and obesity, the NIH explains. Stroke and head injury victims, HIV patients and people with neurological problems like Parkinson's disease are most likely to get dandruff, the Mayo Clinic advises.
Considerations
Dandruff itself can redden the scalp because of the skin irritation, but the condition's other symptoms can make the discoloration even worse. People with itchy scalps often scratch excessively, leading to more redness.
Solution
Redness and other dandruff symptoms are usually controllable with special shampoos. The NIH recommends washing daily with over-the-counter products formulated with coal tar, salicylic acid, resorcin, zinc, selenium or ketoconazole. The shampoo is massaged into the hair for five minutes. It relieves the flakes, redness, irritation and itching so that the scalp can return to its normal color and texture.
Prevention
Dandruff sufferers should not stop using medicated shampoo completely when the scalp redness and other symptoms disappear. The Mayo Clinic recommends dropping use down to two or three times each week. Hair should still be washed daily, but a regular shampoo can be used on the other days.
