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Your
dandruff may be a bummer, but it's harmless to
your health.
Dandruff is a "cosmetic" problem, says
New York dermatologist Michele Green, MD. "It will not cause anything
bad."
No
one knows precisely what causes dandruff, though a fungus called malassezia may
play a role. It's normal to have malassezia on your skin. Too much of it,
though, is linked to dandruff.
These
are some of the common reasons your scalp can get dry and itchy:
Seborrheic
dermatitis (or seborrhea): This common skin condition causes redness, itching,
and flaking. It can occur on many parts of the body. When it affects the scalp,
it's called dandruff. It's treatable. Most often, over-the-counter medicated
shampoos will stop the flakes from falling. More stubborn cases will likely
benefit from prescription-strength shampoos and steroid creams.
Scalp psoriasis can cause dandruff-like itching and
flaking. Psoriasis happens when the immune system triggers
too many skin cells to grow on various parts of the body. That can include your
scalp. People with psoriasis may be more likely to get dandruff, but psoriasis is not dandruff.
Eczema. This skin condition can make your scalp
itchy and flaky. It's most common in babies and children, but anyone can get
it. The cause is unknown. Moisturizers and prescription steroid creams can help
relieve the symptoms, as can avoiding harsh soaps and scratching. It also helps
to avoid stress whenever possible.
Certain
diseases, such as Parkinson's and HIV, have also been linked to
dandruff. People with these diseases have higher rates of dandruff, says
Heather Onoday, RN. She's a nurse practitioner who specializes in dermatology
at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Ore. Having dandruff
doesn't make either of those diseases more likely, though.
A
poor diet also has been suggested as a culprit, although Green says there's no
proven link. Jeffrey Benabio, MD, agrees.
"We
may see associations but we can't say that, for example, vitamin D deficiency
from lack of sunlight in winter causes dandruff," says Benabio, a
dermatologist with Kaiser Permanente in San Diego.
Eat a well-rounded diet for your overall health. A dry scalp
doesn't mean you're lacking any particular nutrient, though.
3 Things That Can
Make Dandruff Worse
These
things don't cause dandruff, but they worsen it if you already have it:
1.
Not
washing your hair often enough. "That's the simplest reason," Green
says. "It should be washed every day or every other day."
2.
"Stress makes everything worse," Green says. Stress happens, so what really matters is how you
respond to it.
3.
The
season. "It's always worse during the winter, when it's really cold out
and overheated indoors," Green says.
Tips
·
Make
sure to wash the oil out of your hair thoroughly. Leaving it in can cause it to
smell. Plus, it makes your hair look greasy
·
Baking
soda is also great for treating a dry scalp, dandruff, fungus on the scalp and
makes a great clarifying shampoo. Just mix 1 tablespoon with enough water to
make a paste and then use for your normal shampoo.
·
Always
visit a dermatologist or your doctor if you are experiencing scalp problems.
Warnings
If the
white specks in your hair don't go away, it may be a sign of lice. You should
seek more advanced treatment in this case.
To find
out more ideas on how to treat dry and itchy scalp, watch this video - HOW
TO TREAT AN ITCHY SCALP | RisasRizos
This
article is written by Mia Wadsworth. Mia Wadsworth who founded DryItchyScalpRemedies.com to help hundreds of
sufferers of Itchy Scalp, Dry Scalp, dandruff & other scalp conditions
relieve & eliminate their condition fast & permanently. After curing
her own painful condition using her own remedy for dry itchy scalp, Mia now
helps sufferers learn what causes itchy scalp, other scalp infections & how
to use powerful home remedies & dry itchy scalp treatments to regain
confidence & beautiful shiny hair.
To find out how you can treat dry and itchy
scalp, visit her website -DryItchyScalpRemedies.com
