Though dandruff is not generally hazardous to your health, it can be an embarrassing and pesky condition to treat. Dandruff is generally characterized by an itchy, dry or scaly scalp. There are many possible causes of dandruff, such as psoriasis, oily skin, dry skin or eczema. The good news is that there are several treatment options, so you have a good chance of getting your dandruff under control.
Step 1
Shampoo your hair every day with a gentle shampoo to reduce oil and skin cell build up in your hair--especially if you have oily hair. Eliminate or lessen the amount of styling products you use. Consume a diet rich in zinc and vitamin B. Manage your stress levels, as stress affects your health and susceptibility to numerous diseases. Stress can also cause or worsen dandruff, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 2
Move on to an over-the-counter treatment if lifestyle changes are not enough. Most dandruff treatments come in the form of shampoo. Zinc pyrithione and ketoconazole are both antifungals that target fungus on the scalp that can cause dandruff. Coal tar and selenium sulphide both work to slow down the death of skin cells on the scalp, causing less flaking. Salicylic acid is can treat scaling, but can cause dry skin. Use a conditioner to relieve scalp dryness.
Step 3
Talk to your doctor if over-the-counter treatments fail. Your doctor may prescribe a stronger shampoo or a steroid lotion. A common steroid treatment is betamethasone. Side effects of steroid treatment can include thinning of the skin or slight skin color changes.
Step 4
Use a shampoo with tea tree oil as one of its ingredients. Apply the tea tree oil shampoo daily, or as often as required. Tea tree oil, which is derived from the leaves of the Australian tea tree--Melaleuca alternifolia--is commonly used in alternative medicine as an antiseptic, antibiotic and antifungal. You can also try rubbing warm olive oil on your scalp or using salicylic acid shampoo to loosen the crust of dry or scaly skin before trying other treatments.
Tips and Warnings
- Continue to use the treatment as indicated, as dandruff often comes back. Using treatment occasionally can help keep your dandruff at bay.
- Selenium sulphide shampoos can discolor blond, gray or dyed hair so be sure to follow the directions on the bottle carefully.
Things You'll Need
- Shampoo
- Dandruff shampoo
- Conditioner
- Tea tree oil
- Olive oil
