Dandruff, also commonly known as seborrheic dermatitis, is a common scalp condition in which skin flakes, itching and irritation are present on the head. Although not contagious or life-threatening, severe dandruff can be embarrassingly noticeable, especially when wearing dark clothing. When facing dandruff, there are several tips you can follow to reduce, or even completely treat, dandruff problems.
Hygiene
One common cause of dandruff can be not cleaning your hair well enough. Beside the follicles of your hair lie sebaceous glands that secrete oils onto your scalp and hair strands. These oils attract dirt and clump with dead skin cells, promoting dandruff in the process. According to the Mayo Clinic, changing your hygiene to shampoo your hair on a daily basis may help relieve dandruff problems.
Styling Products
The overuse of styling products may also contribute to dandruff formation. Changing the amount of hair product you use, or switching to lighter products, can help reduce dandruff formation. Consider changing out heavy gels for lighter-hold products such as pomades or mousse.
Diet
The lack of certain vitamins, minerals and fats may also contribute to dandruff formation. According to the Mayo Clinic, getting enough B vitamins, zinc and healthy fats in your diet is essential for keeping dandruff under control.
Anti-Fungal Shampoos
Some cases of dandruff can be the result of a fungal infestation by the fungus malassezia. When the malassezia fungus grows out of control, it can cause skin irritation, leading to dandruff formation. Several shampoos are on the market with anti-fungal ingredients, such as zinc pyrithione and ketoconazole, which can help control dandruff. These shampoos are available in over-the-counter and prescription strengths.
Specialty Shampoos
For cases of dandruff that are not caused by the malassezia fungus, there are several other specialty shampoos on the market aimed at different dandruff causes. For example, shampoos with the active ingredient salicylic acid can help alleviate dandruff caused by skin scaling, such as from eczema. Selenium sulfide shampoos and tar-based shampoos can also help dandruff by slowing down the rate in which skin cells slough (shed) from the scalp.
