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What Is Dandruff?

  • Define: Dandruff is also termed as seborrheic dermatitis. This is termed to be a common skin condition which is also characterized by the onset of white or grey flakes which tend to appear on the scalp as well as the hair.
  • Is it contagious: Dandruff is not something contagious but it can surely bring about some level of discomfort and also something which cannot get removed easily.
  • Treatment: The treatment for dandruff is mostly with the help of using anti-dandruff shampoos. There are various types of shampoos one can purchase from the supermarket or the pharmacy. Before one goes in for using those anti-fungal shampoo, the individual should carefully try to remove those scaly as well as those crusty patches present on the scalp this would then make the use of shampoo effective. You can look for any of these ingredients to be present in the shampoo, selenium sulfide, coal tar, tea-tree oil, ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid. It is best to go in for a shampoo which contains any of these ingredients and then shampoo the hair on a daily basis until the dandruff comes under control.
  • Causes: There are multiple reasons of dandruff wherein it can be caused due to psoriasis, eczema, tinea capitis, seborrheic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. Dandruff is not something which can be triggered due to dirt or poor hygiene but there are chances that if an individual does not wash their hair properly on a regular basis then it can lead to onset of those white flakes. It is said that combing as well as brushing the hair on a regular basis is said to reduce the risk of dandruff. Those who are sensitive to yeast are also highly prone to getting dandruff. Not consuming enough of foods which contain vitamins, Zinc, and certain fats can lead to onset of dandruff.
  • Is there a need for medication? There is no need to immediately seek medication if an individual is suffering from dandruff but it would be advisable to visit the doctor in case if the anti-dandruff shampoos have failed or if the condition tends to worsen over time.
  • Dandruff found in babies: There are cases that small babies can also develop dandruff as well as a scaly or a greasy patch on their scalp in the initial two months after they are born. Gently washing off their hair with the help of baby shampoo and also timely applying the baby oil can help to prevent the build-up of scales.
  • Symptoms: The dandruff is known to be often accompanied by itching and then there are large lumps of those dry and scaly patches which start to appear on the scalp and cause quiet a discomforting situation.
  • Risk Factors: Dandruff is known to worsen when the individual is too stressed or keeps unwell. Also the cold weather is also known to trigger off the itchy scalp and in certain cases it can aggravate the symptoms of dandruff.
  • Can dandruff be cured? Those who are prone to dandruff would not get complete relief since it would keep on recurring in certain duration. Dandruff is something which cannot be cured but surely one can look out for ways to control it and it is upto the individual to take up proactive actions to avoid such instances of dandruff.One should have sought for medical help in case if there are signs of infections which can include swelling, redness or tenderness. The complications in dandruff are quiet rare but they can result from either of the treatments. In case if any shampoo or soap is causing the issue then one should stop using it.