What is Dandruff?

Dandruff is a condition of the scalp that generates flakes of skin to appear and is accompanied by itching. One common cause of dandruff is seborrheic dermatitis. Actually dandruff isn't about the type of hair or how often washing hair instead, it's about the skin on the scalp.

What are the causes of Dandruff?

The exact cause of dandruff is not known. But following are few of the possible factors that may cause dandruff:

• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Dry skin
• Yeast
• Not enough hair brushing
• Frequent shampooing
• Poor diet
• Mental stress
• Certain skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis
• Medial conditions like neurological illness 

What are the treatments for dandruff?

Medicated shampoo is the immediate treatment for dandruff. Some of them are:

• Tar based shampoo - coal tar acts as an antifungal agent
• Pyrithione zinc shampoo - zinc pyrithione contains antibacterial and antifungal properties
• Shampoos containing salicylic acid - helps to eliminate scales on the skin of the scalp
• Selenium sulfide shampoo - an antifungal agent
• Ketoconazole shampoo - an antifungal agent

However, before planning to apply any of the medical shampoos, please consult the Dermatologist or Trichologist and have a discussion about the advantages and side effects of all the available medical shampoos.

Are there any home remedies for dandruff?

Yes, one can use home remedies to control dandruff. Following are a few of the lifestyle modifications and home remedies that help to reduce dandruff:

• Manage stress in life
• Take proper nutrition
• Little exposure to sunlight is beneficial for controlling dandruff
• Limit the usage of hairstyling products
• Applying aloe vera gel
• Application of tea tree oil, coconut oil