Scratching the scalp appears to be the only solution to relieve itching when you are dealing with dandruff. Not only that, white skin flakes on your shoulders cause great embarrassment to you in social groups. At a certain point, you feel like giving up when your dandruff is not treated properly despite trying numerous tips and techniques.
We understand that it isn’t easy to fight an unsaid battle against dandruff every day. Here we would like to bring into your notice that you are not alone and we will fight this problem together. Dandruff is one issue, which can affect anyone irrespective of his or her age. A study of the Journal of Clinical and Investigative Dermatology has suggested that various factors contribute to this skin condition of the scalp. Dermatologists opine that understanding the root cause of the problem increases the chances to prevent and get rid of dandruff. To add to this, it is important to bust the old belief that dandruff is only the outcome of poor personal hygiene.
Top 5 causes
- Overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus
- Not shampooing enough
- Oily scalp
- Product build-up
- Other scalp conditions
1. Overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus
Yeast-like-fungus called Malassezia globosa is considered the prominent cause of dandruff. A clinical study conducted in 2014 has also claimed the presence of Malassezia spp in dandruff patients. This fungus grows on scalp skin and feeds off scalp oils called sebum. With the help of the lipase enzyme, this fungus metabolizes scalp oils to form a by-product called oleic acid. This oleic acid induces the inflammation and shedding of the epidermis (outer layer of skin) in the scalp region.
2. Not shampooing enough
Top dermatologists explain that dandruff also haunts the people who do not shampoo their hair regularly. When you do not wash your hair regularly, your scalp starts producing oil on its own to provide moisture and adequate nutrients to your strands. These extra scalp oils act as a favorable environment to flourish the dandruff-causing fungus. In addition, due to lack of shampooing, many other bacteria continue to accumulate on hair and scalp which also worsen the dandruff condition.
3. Oily scalp
The greatest misconception about dandruff is that it is caused only on dry scalp. However, oily scalp due to overactive sebaceous glands leads to dandruff. In medical terms, the oily or irritated scalp is also known as seborrheic dermatitis. You can find dandruff on the oily or greasy skin with yellow or white flakes. Apart from your scalp, seborrheic dermatitis can also appear in any part of the body where oil glands are active like eyebrows, armpits, behind your ears, or on the sides of your nose. To get rid of dandruff, botanical extracts like seaweed, great burdock, ivy, lemon, watercress, sage, and common soapwort are considered an effective solution to clear the dandruff flakes meanwhile relieving the scalp itching.
4. Product build-up
Residues of hair products like shampoo, conditioners, styling gels, and oils keep accumulating on your scalp. Over time, it leads to scalp buildup, dead cells, and flaky scalp. To clear the scalp build up, hair care experts avoid using silicone and sulphate based shampoo and hair conditioners. Such hair cosmetics not only cause flakes on your hair but also pose the risk of excessive hair fall and skin allergies. On the other, the benefits of mild shampoo have been highly appreciated to keep your scalp clean without leaving it dry or itchy.
4. Other scalp conditions
A study mentioned in Journal of Clinical and Investigative Dermatology has demonstrated that inflammatory skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, scalp eczema or psoriasis also contribute to the red, flaky, and irritated scalp. In comparison to dandruff, psoriasis plaques are more painful and may spread to the forehead, necks, and other parts of the body as well. Whereas, atopic dermatitis is common in children who have a history of skin allergies.
Despite knowing that dandruff is a common problem, it is not wise to take this problem lightly. Dermatologists explain that the menace of the flaky scalp usually begins in adulthood if left untreated then it may become a lifetime problem. Furthermore, inflammation or scarring of the scalp also damages the hair follicles, which leads to thin hair and excess hair fall. Hence, it is very important to manage your dandruff on time to save yourself from further repercussions. Above all, kickstart your anti-dandruff regimen to get a clean, healthy, and itch-free scalp.
P.S.
In the instances of stubborn dandruff, the anti-dandruff shampoo may not be able to provide the desired results. Use of over the counter products like pre-wash anti-dandruff lotions is found beneficial to remove the stubborn dandruff flakes. However, if non-prescription treatments do not show significant improvement to your dandruff condition, you should consider seeing a dermatologist.
