What are veins?
In this article, we will talk about the real cause and cure for your dandruff.
But, first, I’m going to talk about what dandruff is, its current treatment, what’s behind it, and a perfect solution.
Photo by averie woodard on Unsplash
What is dandruff?
Dandruff occurs when small bits of dry skin are shed from the scalp. You might spy these flakes on your hair or your shoulders. Dandruff may make your scalp itchy, too. It’s a common problem but isn’t as simple as it seems.
Dandruff is tricky to define because it overlaps with seborrheic dermatitis (a chronic form of eczema) and other skin conditions that lead to a scaly scalp.
Dandruff is so common that it affects about half the global adult population.
The typical dandruff treatment is dandruff shampoo, like Head and Shoulders, which uses a certain anti-fungal and antibacterial chemical.
Unfortunately, while it may get rid of dandruff temporarily, it’s banned in Europe because it’s potentially toxic to a person’s reproductive organs.
In addition, there is a particular fungus behind dandruff called Malassezia. In this situation, this type of fungus, a part of the normal flora on the skin, has morphed into overgrown.
Photo by Erick Larregui on Unsplash
Symptoms of dandruff
Flakes and an itchy, scaly scalp are the main symptoms of dandruff. White, oily flakes typically accumulate in your hair and shoulders and often worsen during the fall and winter when the air is dry.
Additional symptoms can include:
- erythema, which is red patches on the skin of the scalp, and sometimes on the face
- eyebrow dandruff
- hair loss
- dry flakes on the skin of the face
The #1 treatment for dandruff
Mix 1 tsp of the liquid from kimchi in 1 cup of water. After shampooing your hair in the shower, apply this mixture to your scalp. After 15 minutes, rinse the mixture from your scalp.
Another excellent remedy for dandruff is a mixture of 2 tsp of olive oil mixed with 1/2 tsp of coconut oil, applied to the scalp before bed and washed out in the morning.
Other dandruff remedies include:
· diluted tea tree oil
· diluted garlic oil
· diluted oregano oil
| You must change your shampoo and conditioner to natural versions and use a water filter in your shower.
The root cause of dandruff
The root cause of dandruff is an imbalance in the scalp microflora, causing inflammation and an immune reaction.
Antibiotics can lead to this imbalance — killing bacteria that keep unfriendly microbes in check and allowing them to overgrow and cause problems.
Other reasons that may trigger the onset of dandruff include:
Seborrheic Dermatitis If you have a nasty case of dandruff, it’s likely a mild case of seborrheic dermatitis (SD), according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. SD is a chronic form of eczema that impacts areas of the body that secrete the most sebum, or oil, according to the National Eczema Association.
Contact Dermatitis Contact dermatitis is a skin irritation caused by an allergen or an irritant, resulting in an itchy, possibly painful rash. And in the case of dandruff, that reaction is on the scalp. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, this generally occurs due to hair-care products or dyes.
Dry skin. If cold winter air dries your skin, including your scalp, dry skin may cause dandruff. When dry skin causes dandruff, the flakes are usually smaller and less oily than the flakes caused by SD.
Photo by Aditya Vyas on Unsplash
How to get rid of dandruff
Follow instructions. Since there are many different types of dandruff treatment shampoos, and each comes with its instructions, it’s essential that you carefully read and follow the directions of the product of your choice. For example, be sure you know if you’re supposed to leave the shampoo on your scalp for a certain amount of time before washing or if you should wash out immediately.
Different skin and hair types require different care. For example, African American people may only need to wash once a week with a dandruff shampoo. Asian Americans and white people may need to alternate between different dandruff shampoos containing different ingredients to achieve the best results. Your best action may be to speak with a board-certified dermatologist who can recommend the best products for your hair and skin type and the frequency with which you should use them.
Shampoos for dandruff can be medicated (which requires a prescription to purchase) or available over the counter. Usually, this means that the amount the medication in medicated shampoos is just higher.
When to see your healthcare provider
The good news is that many cases of dandruff can be treated effectively with over-the-counter (OTC) shampoos and other lifestyle measures.
That said, dandruff isn’t the only reason you may have an itchy scalp. If your dandruff is particularly stubborn or itchy, you may have psoriasis, eczema, or fungal infection. Your doctor might be able to help.
If your itch isn’t letting up or your scalp becomes red or swollen, speak with your doctor. Also, check in if shampoos don’t help, redness and flaking spread to your face or other areas on the body, or the itching starts to interfere with your everyday life.
Sometimes the symptoms can indicate other, more serious, conditions such as Actinic keratoses (AKs) or Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm), and it’s best to be checked out to get the best treatment.
Takeaway
While dandruff can be annoying and embarrassing sometimes, it usually doesn’t indicate a more severe health issue. The itching and flaking often respond well to OTC shampoos and treatments.
Keep trying different brands and types until you find something that works.
Disclaimer: Dr. Berner does not diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical diseases or conditions; instead, he analyzes and corrects the structure of his patients with Foundational Correction to improve their overall quality of life. He works with their physicians, who regulate their medications. This blog post is not designed to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any other individual. The information provided in this post or through linkages to other sites is not a substitute for medical or professional care. You should not use the information in place of a visit, consultation, or the advice of your physician or another healthcare provider. Foundation Chiropractic and Dr. Brett Berner are not liable or responsible for any advice, the course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this article or others.
