What causes dandruff
There are a few different reasons why a person can develop dandruff. Dandruff is the condition in which a person has an excessive flaky scalp. Our bodies are supposed to eliminate dead skin cells naturally but when a person has dandruff the elimination process is excessive and often skin cells that are not dead yet are eliminated from the scalp as well. This can cause embarrassing flakes of skin to be very noticeable as well as itching of the scalp.
There different forms of dandruff. One form is called pityriasis-capitis. It is referred to as dry dandruff and causes dry flakes to fall from the scalp as well as the itching of the scalp. This is the form of dandruff that is the most common. Another form of dandruff is pityriasis asteatoides. This is referred to as waxy dandruff and is when the oil glands shed the skin cells prematurely. This form of dandruff usually causes patches and becomes stuck to the scalp. Also Seborrhoeic Dermatitis is a form of dandruff. This dandruff is greasy, oily, thick and crusty. This is common in babies and is often referred to as cradle cap, although anyone can get this condition at any age.
When it comes to curing your dandruff you must first determine the cause of the condition. This can be a little difficult and depending on what type of dandruff you are dealing with can also make a difference in what the cause may be. Many people have long believed that dandruff is caused by a bacterial infection, however bacteria is generally not the original cause of the condition. Although, once a person begins scratching the scalp, bacteria can set in and make the situation worse. Dandruff is more closely tied to a fungus called Pityrosporum ovale. This is a fungus that is naturally present on our skin but it can cause more problems in some.
The cause of your dandruff can be a side of either internal or external factors. Internally hormones, stress, emotional instability, anxiety, poor diet, lack of specific vitamins, lack of sleep, health problems, medication, being overweight and consuming too much sugar can all cause the body to produce dandruff. External factors can consist of cold weather, dry indoor climate, use of hair sprays, hair dryers, hair curlers, not shampooing often enough or not rinsing shampoo completely from hair. People who live in colder weather conditions tend to suffer from dry dandruff more often then those who live in warmer climates.
If you are unsure of why you have dandruff then you can see your doctor for an examination. However, there are a few things you can try in the meantime. For starters, you can try one of the many different over-the- counter dandruff shampoos to see if they help. If you have a severe case of dandruff or one of the types that are thick and stuck to the scalp then you may need a prescription strength cream or shampoo to get rid of your dandruff. Also take a look at some of the internal and external factors mentioned above and see if any of them pertain to you. If so, making a few changes in your lifestyle may help the dandruff improve drastically.
Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, taking a daily multi-vitamin, avoid over using hot hair dryers and lessoning stress in your life can all make a big difference. If you live in a cold climate and feel that your dandruff is caused by environmental factors and dry air then you can start using a weekly hot oil treatment to replenish your hair and scalp with lost nutrients and moisture. Remember, if your dandruff gets too bad then it is best to be seen by a doctor for advice on what you should do.
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