Dandruff Causes

Dandruff is an extremely common condition, mainly because there are so many causes of dandruff symptoms. In order to battle the symptoms, it is important to figure out what the cause of your dandruff is. You may even want to start with a trip to your doctor.

Seborrheic dermatitis
Malassezia furfur, a fungus commonly found on human skin is the cause of Seborrheic dermatitis. This condition of the upper-body, face and scalp presents symptoms of itchy, red skin that scales and flakes. Ketoconazole in the form of creams and shampoos is the standard treatment for this condition are creams. Oral fish oil supplements containing Omega-3 fatty acids are also frequently administered.

Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause silvery, flaky patches of skin on different areas of the body. There are five different forms of psoriasis, but plaque psoriasis is the most common. This form presents as patches of raised, reddish skin covered by silvery-white scales. Most frequently these patches appear on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp. There are a variety of treatments for this condition, but your doctor will be able to diagnosis and suggest what will work best for you.

Dry scalp
The simplest and most easily cured dandruff is the result of a dry scalp. Often caused by overly dry environmental conditions or the overuse of cheap hair care products, this condition can be cured by moisturizing. Massage skin moisturizer or oil into your scalp 1/2 hour before bathing and follow up with a moisturizing conditioner.

Oily scalp
It is not unusual for people with only skin to get dandruff. It has been speculated that the overproduction of oil may create an environment heavy with fungus that irritates the scalp. If you have oily skin and dandruff, try using a shampoo for oily hair and see if it helps clear up the problem.

Head lice
Head lice is often mistaken for dandruff because of the itchy symptoms and shedding of lice eggs. Treating lice requires entirely different solutions than dandruff. For more information and lice symptoms, see How to get rid of lice.

Other potential causes of dandruff

• The causes of dandruff can sometime be quite simple and easy to eliminate. Anything you use in your hair that can dry out your skin can a culprit. This includes hair products with strong chemicals or poor ingredients. Try switching to shampoos and conditioners recommended by your hairstylist.
• Consider what you’re eating as well. Allergies to food and nutritional deficiencies can cause dry sky and dandruff. Try adding zinc and omega 3 fatty acids to your diet.
• If you live in an extremely dry environment, consider using a humidifier if you are having overall dry skin problems.
• Get enough sleep and find ways to eliminate stress like exercise and meditation. These simple factors can be the cause of a multitude of ailments.