Everything You Need to Know about Dandruff

Dandruff is an illness in which dead skin cells on your head flake off, frequently landing on your shoulders and clothing. While dandruff isn't contagious or harmful, it can be embarrassing. Dandruff is also called seborrheic dermatitis.

Although anyone can get dandruff, it's more common in men. It often begins in puberty and continues through adulthood. Dandruff may also be more likely if you have oily skin or hair.

Dandruff has several possible causes, including dry skin, a reaction to hair products, and skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis. The good news is that dandruff can be controlled with over-the-counter treatments and home remedies.

The online chemist has all the products you need to eliminate dandruff. It doesn't matter what the cause is; they have a solution for you!

Types of Dandruff

Dandruff Affected by Dry Skin

The most frequent type of dandruff is this one. It usually happens in the winter and is caused by cold, dry weather. Shampooing with hot water is thought to be responsible. Hot water dries out the scalp, resulting in flakes.

Dandruff Affected by Oily Skin

This type is less frequent. It generally affects people with oily skin or hair. The excess oil on your scalp creates an ideal environment for a fungus called Malassezia to grow. This can irritate your scalp and result in dandruff.

Dandruff Linked to Fungus

This is due to a type of yeast, or fungus, known as Malassezia. This yeast is a regular inhabitant of the skin's flora that helps maintain bacteria at bay by keeping them in check. However, when there is too much sebum, Malassezia thrives since it grows in sebum.

The carbon dioxide produced by this yeast is also responsible for the clustering of skin cells, which produces dandruff's white flakes.

Dandruff Caused By Product Buildup

Too many styling products (including leave-in conditioners, gels, serums, pomades, mousses, or hair sprays) can clog your scalp and build up. Dandruff is caused by this accumulation of dirt and dead skin cells. Hair loss might also be possible. Anti-dandruff shampoo can help with this.

Dandruff Caused By Skin Conditions

The scalp may be afflicted by dandruff in three distinct ways.

Eczema: Eczema is a skin condition observed by flaky, itchy, and sometimes rash symptoms. However, a liquid cleanser and massage may help. In addition, a milder or more moisturizing shampoo might be helpful, but if you need one, check with your doctor to confirm the diagnosis and get topical therapy if required.

Scalp Psoriasis: If you notice tiny, powdery flakes with a silver sheen or raised and inflamed areas of skin covered in silvery dead skin cells on your scalp, you may have scalp psoriasis. Consult a doctor to verify and develop a treatment plan if this sounds accurate.

Seborrheic dermatitis: If you have seborrheic dermatitis, you may have excessively greasy, flaky scalps with large, yellow flakes and itchy red patches. Zinc pyrithione shampoos are an excellent way to treat seborrheic dermatitis.

When Should You Go to the Doctor?

It is seldom necessary to see a doctor if you have dandruff. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicated shampoo can generally be used to treat it.

However, in some cases, OTC medications do not help. When you should contact your healthcare provider:

• Dandruff does not improve after several weeks of using a medicated over-the-counter shampoo.
• The skin may become excessively red and swollen or drain fluid or pus.
• The symptoms worsen and spread to other parts of the body, particularly those that don't have hair.
• You notice hair loss.

Treatment

Home Remedies

Many home treatments are marketed as dandruff cures, but many lack adequate clinical evidence to support their claims. Agents with antibacterial (antibacterial or antifungal) effects are those who have some scientific proof to back up their claims. These include:

Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic (slows the growth of microorganisms). Tea tree oil also has antifungal properties that target Malassezia fungus, which may contribute to dandruff.

Lemongrass oil: Shampoo with Lemongrass Oil was researched for its ability to treat dandruff caused by Malassezia fungus. The experiment evaluated solution dosages containing 5%, 10%, and 15% lemongrass oil. According to the research, a 10% concentration was found effective, and dandruff was improved by 51% in seven days. By day 14, there was a 74% reduction in dandruff.

Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is a fungus fighter. If the cause of your dandruff is a fungus, this method may be beneficial. However, it hasn't been proved to help with dandruff.

Before applying any home treatment for dandruff, check with your healthcare provider. Remember that natural and herbal treatments can have negative side effects, and there's no telling if they will work as well as OTC or prescription dandruff treatments.

Medical Treatment

There is no cure for dandruff, but certain medicated shampoos can help relieve symptoms. The treatment you accept will be determined by various criteria, including the underlying cause of your dandruff and how severe the problem is.

If a medical issue causes dandruff, an expert should be consulted about the most effective treatment:

• OTC dandruff shampoo is often needed to prevent flare-ups and handle symptoms in people with mild to moderate dandruff involving scalp flaking, redness, and itching.
• Medical professionals should treat severe dandruff, particularly if it does not respond to over-the-counter medicated dandruff shampoos. OTC dandruff shampoo (mild to severe dandruff) includes the active elements selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione (ZPT), or coal tar, which are used in many anti-dandruff products.

Medicated shampoo options include:

• Selenium sulfide shampoo: It inhibits the process of skin cell death, which helps to minimize the number of dead skin cells that collect and flake off. It may also assist with dandruff caused by fungus.
• Tar-based shampoo: A coal tar-based medicated shampoo that also slows the rate of skin cell death, lowering the number of skin flakes.
• Zinc pyrithione shampoo: It eliminates fungus and bacteria on the scalp, which may contribute to dandruff.
• Salicylic acid shampoo: It also helps to eliminate the dandruff-causing flakes of the skin. It also causes the skin to shed more rapidly, irritating the scalp.
• Antifungal shampoo: Several medicated shampoos are available, including ones with ketoconazole (Nizoral) for treating fungus that can cause long-term dandruff problems. This is a dandruff shampoo that targets fungus-related flakes. Antifungal shampoo can be found over-the-counter, although higher levels are available by prescription.

Online chemist UK provides various dandruff treatments from all the major brands to ensure you get the best possible care for your scalp.

Read here to know ways to make your hair long and strong. 

In Conclusion

Dandruff is a common problem that several different things can cause. Therefore, it is essential to identify the underlying cause to determine the best course of treatment. OTC dandruff shampoos are often all needed to control mild to moderate cases, but more severe cases may require a medicated shampoo prescribed by a medical professional. The online pharmacist can be an excellent resource for finding the right dandruff shampoo for you. Also, consult a healthcare provider before trying home remedies, as some can worsen the problem.