If you see white flakes on your shoulders, you may assume you have dandruff, but you could have a dry scalp. Both common skin conditions produce flakes, but the two conditions have different underlying causes. It is possible to have either or both condition, and in most cases the flakes will appear very similar. While there may be some overlap among treatments for the two conditions, you will have a better outcome when a specific treatment is linked to the right condition.
Types
Xeroderma is the clinical name for dry skin, whether it is on the scalp or elsewhere. Dry skin usually has an environmental cause, such as overexposure to dry air such as the heated air in most buildings in the winter time. Dandruff, also known by its clinical name seborrheic dermatitis, is a medical condition that remains a bit of a mystery. There may be a genetic cause for dandruff, and the condition is worsened by yeast infections of the skin.
Effects
Both dry scalp and dandruff are marked by flakes of skin leaving the scalp or other affected area. Dry patches of xeroderma can occur anywhere on the skin. Except in extreme cases, the main effect of these conditions is an unsightly appearance. Neither condition is usually considered harmful.
Treatments
Dry scalp, like dry skin, can be successfully treated by removing the environmental cause and/or using an emollient cream to nourish and rehydrate the skin. Dandruff will be cured by an application of a shampoo that is formulated to not only reduce skin inflammation but retard any organism such as yeast that is exacerbating the condition. A doctor or dermatologist may prescribe medicated lotions or shampoos in serious cases of either condition.
Misconceptions
Dandruff is not caused by dry skin. Seborrheic dermatitis is a separate condition and will only respond to treatments that are specific to that disease. Moisturizing the scalp alone will not cure seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff, though it may help if dandruff and dry scalp exist simultaneously. Dry scalp usually has at its foundation an environmental cause which must be identified and resolved. Dandruff shampoos will not usually heal dry scalp, although use of a moisturizing shampoo may be beneficial.
Considerations
While there are numerous commercial preparations that will treat either condition, they can be costly and may require several applications. You may save money by asking a doctor to help you diagnose your condition so that you purchase the correct products. Also, many home remedies for dry scalp like jojoba oil or castor oil can be just as effective as commercial preparations at a fraction of the cost.
