Dandruff can be an annoying condition. Sometimes it's just due to a dry scalp. Other times it's due to a fungal infection or a health condition such as psoriasis or eczema. Dry scalp dandruff is easy to treat with lifestyle improvements and environmental changes such as adding a humidifier to combat dry air. Dandruff due to another scalp condition may require a special shampoo.
Top Cause
Simple dry skin is a top cause of flakes from the head. These flakes are less oily and smaller than dandruff that occurs due to other causes, according to the Mayo Clinic. A dry scalp can be caused by indoor heating that robs the air of moisture, advises the Mayo Clinic. It also can be caused by using products such as harsh shampoos or hair sprays with alcohol that dry out the skin.
Over-Active Glands
Over-active oil glands--the opposite problem of dry skin--can also cause dandruff. While you'd want to shampoo less and condition more for dry skin dandruff, the opposite is true for dandruff due to over-active glands.
Medical Causes
Seborrheic dermatitis dandruff will result in flaky white or yellow dandruff scales. Your scalp will be red and greasy. This condition can also affect eyebrows, the back of the ears, the sides of your nose, your groin area, your armpits and your breastbone, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Dandruff that looks thick and silvery is likely the result of psoriasis. While it can affect your scalp, psoriasis more commonly is seen on the knees, elbows and trunk, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Dandruff can result from a yeast-like fungus called malassezia. This is present on most adults' scalps and usually does not cause problems, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, when it grows out of control, it can irritate the scalp and cause more skin cell growth. This additional skin dies, clumps together with oil from your scalp, and falls off. This flaky dandruff will be visible in your hair and on clothes.
Diet and Dry Skin
Dry scalp dandruff can be addressed via lifestyle and environmental changes. Eating foods rich in vitamins A, B, zinc, iron and essential fats will boost skin health and help alleviate a dry scalp. Using a humidifier and eschewing hair care products that dry the scalp will help, too, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Diet and Health Conditions
Poor diet can contribute to dandruff due to dry skin as well as dandruff due to health conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic. Taking fish oil supplements for their omega-3 fatty acids, for example, can aid in dandruff related to psoriasis. People sometimes take evening primrose oil to gain omega-6 fatty acids and improve their diets to address eczema, which also can lead to dandruff.
Special Shampoos
Special shampoos can combat seborrheic dermatitis. These include shampoos that contain zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, and tea tree oil and tar-based shampoos.
Selenium sulfide shampoos can treat malassezia. Such shampoos can discolor chemically colored hair, advises the Mayo Clinic, and need to be well-rinsed from the head.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Dandruff
- Health911.com Dandruff
- "Super Nutrition for Women," Ann Louise Gittleman; 2004
