DANDRUFF: EMBARRASSING ISN'T IT?

Have you ever come across this embarrassing moment when in an interview everything was going perfectly, you are on verge of getting appointed but suddenly an unstoppable itch forced you to scratch your scalp and a cascade of white flakes onto your black blazer exposed your hidden dandruff to the interviewer. Quite embarrassing isn’t it?

Many of us have faced this situation once in life.  Dandruff is a medical condition that can grab anyone no matter gender, age or race. While dandruff can be embarrassing at times, it usually doesn’t indicate any serious health condition or an unhygienic state. It is generally worsened in the winter and fall.

CAUSES

The cause of shedding scalp skin is unclear but believed to be due to a number of genetic and environmental factors. 

The causes can be dry skin, not scrubbing scalp often, frequent shampooing or not shampooing enough, sensitivity to hair care products, scalp diseases such as seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, tinea captis, contact dermatitis or a yeast-like fungus (Malassezia). But dry skin is the most common cause of dandruff.

Our skin cells on scalp keeps on making new cells and sheds the older dead cells monthly. This process is normal and also these flakes of skin are too small to be visible. However, due to certain conditions the cell turnover becomes unusually fast, especially in the scalp and the mature cells shed within 2 to 7 days, as opposed to the people without dandruff. The result is shedding dead skin cells as white or grayish flakes from the scalp.

QUICK TIPS

• Scrub your head will help in removing old skin flakes.
• Wash your head with special shampoos having anti-fungal or anti-bacterial properties such as Head & Shoulders (contain zinc pyrithione that slows down the growth of yeast), Neutrogena T/Sal (has salicylic acid that lessens dandruff), Neutrogena T/Gel (has coal tar that slows down skin cells death) may help you.
• Shampoos having Ketoconazole, Selenium sulfide, Zinc pyrithione, Coal tar, Salicylic acids and Tea-tree oil helps in impeding or eliminating dandruff.
• Always read the instructions before using any shampoo to check if it's suitable for you and also see how often it should be applied.
• I have prescribed my patients Anti-dandruff Arnica shampoo (homeopathic shampoo) and find its result notable.
• Getting the perfect shampoo for your dandruff may take some experiment, so try these shampoos for a month to see if your dandruff improves. You might need to experiment with more than one shampoo to find one that suits your scalp. 
• Sometimes alternating two shampoo types may also help.
• Leaving the shampoo in hair for at least two to three minutes before washing will help you much.
• You may be able to use the shampoo less often once your dandruff improves.
• You may be able to use the shampoo less often once your dandruff improves.
  
  

  !Did you know Too much shampooing may exacerbate dandruff.

                            

• Moisturize your scalp as dry scalp tends to flake more. Restoring moisture to the scalp can help you with itchiness. Coconut oil is a great pick from your dressing table as it has moisturizing as well as antibacterial properties. 
• Healthy diet is also a key to unlock your dandruff. Include more veggies and fruits in diet. 

WHEN TO SEE DOCTOR

• dandruff is severe
• scalp is red or swollen
• no improvement even after using anti-dandruff shampoos for at least a month
• weak immune system as in HIV, or other immune debilitating diseases or taking medication that suppresses immune system.

Your doctor may examine your scalp to check any skin disease and prescribe you better treatment.

Dandruff in babies Babies sometimes have dandruff or yellow greasy patches on their scalp that appears in the first two months lasting only few weeks or months. This is cradle cap. Gently wash your baby’s scalp with mild shampoo that can help check scales. Also massage baby oil or any mineral or vegetable oil at night. This will help in loosening crust.

HOME REMEDIES

Home remedies may help you in reducing dandruff to a greater extent.

• Aloe vera has not just cooling effect but has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties as well. Apply it over whole scalp and wash off with some anti-dandruff shampoo. It also  provide relief irritated scalp from inflammation.
• Neem extract plays great role in eliminating dandruff because of its antibacterial and antifungal qualities.
• Baking soda due to its exfoliation and anti-fungal properties soothes the scalp and reduces redness and itching.

HOMEOPATHY HELP

Disclaimer

The contents herein are for informational purposes only to understand health and treatment conditions in a better way. . It should not be taken as the substitute of medical diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

Would you like to consult us for dandruff? Ask your question.

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KK’s Homeopathy Wellness Center