Dandruff is marked by flaking of the skin or scalp. The condition is most common in young adults. Although it is not contagious and is rarely serious, but if left untreated, it can become so itchy and inflamed that it causes hair loss.
Dandruff when involves portions of the scalp, eye brows, mid of the face, ears, mid of the chest and back, then it is called as Seborrheic dermatitis or Seborrhea.
Causes of Dandruff:
It is a common scalp condition caused by a fugus, Malassezia. It may be caused by hypersensitive reaction of an yeast, Pityrosporum ovale that occurs naturally on the scalp. It is also believed that too much perspiration and climatic changes, too, can contribute to the cause. The condition may worsen during the fall and winter and improve during the summer.
A type of dandruff called cradle cap can affect babies. This disorder, which causes a scaly, crusty scalp, is most common in newborns, but it can occur anytime during infancy. Cradle cap is not dangerous and usually clears up on its own by the time a baby is 3 years old.
When to seek a treatment?
Most cases do not require a doctor’s care. But if you are scratching your head after several weeks of experimenting with over-the-counter dandruff shampoos, or if your scalp becomes red or swollen, see your doctor. You may have seborrheic dermatitis or another condition that resembles dandruff. Often your doctor can diagnose the problem simply by looking at your hair and scalp.
Treatment of dandruff
Mild cases may need nothing more than daily shampooing with a gentle cleanser. More stubborn cases often respond to medicated shampoos.
Homeopathic treatment: Homeopathic treatment provides a holistic approach to healing as it treats the symptoms and also the root cause of the disease thus providing long lasting results without any side effects. The treatment is very much individualized and needs upfront consultation with a doctor to understand the case and to plan the suitable treatment.
Anti-dandruff shampoo: Shampoo your scalp with an anti-dandruff shampoo every alternate day for at least 6 weeks.
Nutritional supplements: Vitamin B, Vitamin C & Zinc helps to replenish the deficiency and thus promoting hair & scalp health.
Diet: Incorporate more green vegetables, salad, fruits, milk, curd and sprouts. Avoid white flour or sugar or refined carbohydrates, processed foods because they deplete Vitamin B, a deficiency can actually cause dandruff.