Dandruff is is a common skin condition that is marked by the presence of white flakes of skin and persistent itching of the scalp. Although not life threatening, dandruff can be annoying and embarrassing, especially with more severe cases. Although most dandruff looks the same, the type of dandruff can vary depending on its primary cause.
Oil-Related Dandruff
Oil-related dandruff typically occur from bad hygiene practices. More commonly, oil-related dandruff comes from not shampooing your hair often enough. Beneath your scalp are small glands called sebaceous glands. These glands produce a protective oil called sebum. Sebum is an integral part of healthy hair, but according to the Mayo Clinic, if left to build up on the hair strands for too long, it can combine with dead skin and dirt to form dandruff.
Yeast-Related Dandruff
Another type of dandruff is yeast-related dandruff. This type of dandruff is formed due to the presence of a fungus called malassezia. Malassezia is present on most everyone's scalps without causing problems with dandruff. However, when excess skin oil is present on the scalp, the oil provides enough food for the fungus to grow out of control. As the fungus feeds, the skin becomes irritated and forms additional skin cells on the scalp. The added skin cells eventually die and shed and combine with the excess oil on the scalp. This forms dandruff flakes.
Disease-Related Dandruff
Another type of dandruff is disease-related dandruff. This dandruff forms as a secondary side effect of scalp conditions. For example, psoriasis is a skin disease that results in the overproduction of skin cells on the scalp, creating scale like skin. As these additional skin cells shed, they can combine with sebum oil into dandruff. Another example is eczema, a common skin condition that can produce itching, dry flaky skin on the scalp, which can contribute to dandruff formation.
