Dandruff --- the shower of white flakes of dead skin that falls from our hair --- happens to everyone. As skin cells on the scalp age and die, the cells break loose and fall away. The degree of dandruff production does change and can become a more troublesome condition called seborrheic dermatitis. People with oily skin or acne problems suffer from excessive dandruff more often. Some common home remedies could make dandruff worse.
Causes
Dandruff production could be linked to hormone levels, because severe dandruff often begins in the adolescent years. Stress also affects hormone production and could increase dandruff problems. Poor hygiene doesn't cause dandruff but might contribute to fungal problems because a buildup of dandruff on the scalp feeds yeasts normally living there. Some people react to the fungi, developing itchy red patches of skin on the scalp, eyebrows or even on the nose. Hair products containing alcohol could irritate and dry the skin, increasing flakes and discomfort. Dandruff also follows a seasonal pattern, becoming worse in the winter and usually easing in the summer.
Prevention
Washing the hair and scalp regularly with a mild shampoo provides one of the best natural dandruff controls. Detergent in the shampoo floats away tiny dead skin cells before they mat together to form flakes. Massaging the scalp thoroughly while shampooing also helps. Follow the directions on the shampoo bottle. Many shampoo manufacturers recommend leaving the shampoo on scalp and hair for a few minutes before rinsing. Follow the rinse with a second round of shampoo. People with oily skin need to shampoo more often than those with drier and less problematic skin.
Soaks
Home remedies often act by soaking and loosening patches of dead skin still on the scalp. The Fenugreek Seed Treatment requires soaking two tbsp. of fenugreek seed overnight in clean water. In the morning, grind the softened seeds into paste and massage the pulped seeds into the hair, covering the scalp. After half an hour, rinse the paste away, along with the dandruff. Home-Remedies-For-You.com recommends a follow-up shampoo with a solution of acacia concinna. If that's not available, try regular nonmedicated shampoo, recommended by the University of Michigan University Health Service.
Ayurvedic Treatment
The Ayurvedic approach begins with anti-inflammatory tea. Add one tsp. of whole coriander seed to one cup of boiling water and let the tea brew as the drink cools. Drinking coriander tea regularly decreases skin irritation, according to Yoga Journal. Dashamula --- an herbal mixture containing 10 different Ayurvedic plants --- also eases symptoms. Eating regularly and choosing foods that digest easily contributes to overall health and eases stress, one of the contributing factors in dandruff flare-ups.
Warning
Avoid oily hair products that may stop dandruff flakes from falling but cause dandruff to build up on the scalp. Several common home remedies for dandruff involve treatments of the scalp with olive oil or coconut oil overnight. Oily treatments could aggravate dandruff problems, according to the University of Michigan Health Service. If home remedies fail and itching or redness of scalp increases, seek the advice of a qualified physician. Dandruff-like symptoms could accompany more serious conditions such as head lice or ringworm infection.
