Dandruff

 Dandruff is simply shedding of the scalp onto your hair follicles and clothing. Dandruff is due to dead skin cells on the scalp that are shed in excessive amounts. Everyone has skin cells that die and flake off, but this process occurs over time. An individual with dandruff will shed multiple dead skin cells at one time. Most people do not have excessive cell shedding, but those individuals who do may experience other problems. Dandruff may have redness and irritation as well. Most people who have dandruff can treat it with a medicated shampoo. If you have excessive flaking, it could be a symptom of seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis, head lice, or a fungal infection. For many people, dandruff causes self-esteem issues and leads some people into depression.

Anyone who has ever worn black and has dandruff will look like they have snow on their shoulders. Dandruff will leave small white flakes on your clothing. Your scalp may look like it is peeling as the dead skin cells are being shed. There are a lot of people who have a chronic scalp disorder that causes their scalp to itch and flake. Dandruff is embarrassing and it is persistent. Dandruff isn't contagious and can be fixed with shampoos and proper diet.

If you suspect you have dandruff, you will probably notice white, oily looking flakes of dead skin on your shoulders and hair. Dandruff often leads to an itchy, scaly scalp. Here are the different symptoms of dandruff explained:

• Dry Skin - During the winter, the air is cold and dry and your skin tends to dry out more because the rooms in the house are overheated. When you scratch the skin on your arms, you may notice there are small flakes that come off. This same theory applies to your scalp. The skin underneath your hair will dry out and flake off if it is not properly hydrated. Dry skin flakes are usually smaller in size and they are not as oily.
  
• Seborrheic dermatitis - This is a disease that causes the skin to flake. Normally this condition will only impact the scalp. In adults, this is called dandruff; in babies it is called cradle cap. Seborrheic dermatitis can impact your face, chest, legs, and practically any other part of the body. Seborrheic dermatitis will cause the skin to look red and greasy.
  
• Psoriasis - This is a skin disorder that causes the skin to get red, scaly patches. Most people who suffer from psoriasis have it on their elbows and joints, but it can affect your scalp. Psoriasis is a chronic, recurring disorder that varies in the position on the body. Fingernails and toenails are common areas that are affected by psoriasis. Psoriasis can also cause people to have inflammation of the joints, which may lead to arthritis. Psoriasis is a genetic condition and it is aggravated by stress, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Many people who have psoriasis have also been diagnosed with depress due to low-self esteem. Psoriasis is difficult to treat, but there are some treatment options available.
  
• Contact dermatitis - This condition is caused from hair dyes, shampoos, hair sprays, or other chemicals that are applied to the scalp. These products cause the scalp to turn red, itch, and flake.
  

 There have been several tests done to determine what causes dandruff. While no one knows for sure, some believe it is attributed to dry, oily skin, excessive shampooing, a poor diet, stress, and overuse of styling products. There have been yeast-like fungi attributed to dandruff. These fungi are called malassezia. Malassezia live on everyone's scalps and do not cause problems for most people. Dandruff will occur when the malassezia grows out of control and it will feed on the oils produced in your hair follicles. When the oils are drained, your scalp will become irritated and increase the dead cell turnover. The dead cells will fall off and as they fall off, they will clump together with the oil on your scalp and this makes them appear white and flaky.

Increased oil production, hormonal fluctuations, stress, illness, neurological disorders, and over-shampooing will actually increase the dandruff. Everyone will experience dandruff at least once during their lifetime. There are some things that make you more vulnerable to dandruff such as age, sex, oily hair and scalp, and illness. Your age plays a significant part in dandruff. Most individuals will experience dandruff in young adulthood and it will continue into middle age. However, many older adult still struggle with dandruff. Your gender will play another role in dandruff production. Most women have more dandruff than men. Men have larger sebaceous glands that produce oils called sebum, these oils moisten the hair follicles and not as many cells flake off. Having an oily scalp will also make you prone to more dandruff. There are no scientific facts for why certain illnesses have dandruff, but some do. Parkinson's disease is a common disease that has dandruff as one of the symptoms.

Dandruff can be controlled, but treatment may take a few days. If you know you typically get dandruff when the weather changes from hot to cold, consider purchasing dandruff shampoo to medicate your scalp on a daily basis. You should perform daily cleansing of the scalp to remove the cell buildup and oil on the scalp.

There are different types of dandruff shampoo, so you need to figure out which one will work for you. Most dandruff shampoos include Zinc pyrithione shampoos will have an antifungal agent that reduces the fungus that causes dandruff. Head and Shoulders and Selsun are the most popular dandruff shampoos that contain zinc pyrithione.

There are also tar-based shampoos like Neutrogena. A tar-based shampoo has coal tar which helps to condition the scalp and slows the turnover of dead cells. Another common type of dandruff shampoo is shampoos containing salicylic acid. A dandruff shampoo that has salicylic acid scrubs your scalp and eliminates the scales on your scalp. The only problem with scalp scrubs is that they often leave your scalp feeling dry and causes more flaking to occur. It helps to condition the scalp after you use the scalp scrub so the hair follicles aren't dried out.

 Selsun Blue is a popular dandruff shampoo that contains selenium sulfide. A dandruff shampoo that contains selenium sulfide will help prevent cell turnover and will reduce the number of malassezia on your scalp. Your dermatologist may also prescribe a dandruff shampoo that will help to control the fungus on your scalp.

If you begin noticing dandruff flakes, you should begin using a dandruff shampoo immediately. Once you have controlled your dandruff, you can reduce your medicated shampooing to 3 times a week. It helps to have 2 or 3 different dandruff shampoos since some may lose their effectiveness over time. To use a dandruff shampoo, you need to thoroughly wet your hair and apply the shampoo. Be sure to scrub your scalp with the shampoo and allow it to remain on your scalp for at least 5 minutes. For most people, dandruff shampoo will clear up the problem within a few days. If you have been using dandruff shampoo for 2 weeks and still have dandruff problems, speak with your dermatologist. Your dandruff could be related to another skin condition like psoriasis. Your dermatologist may give you a steroid lotion or a more aggressive shampoo.

Since stress is one of the leading causes for dandruff, you should find ways to reduce the amount of stress in your life. Of course this is always easier said than done! Studies have shown that increasing your amount of daily exercise will help to reduce your stress and will allow your body time to unwind and re-charge. Yoga is a great exercise for the mind and the body. Meditation is also another way to allow your body to recharge and release the amount of stress you have. Massages can also help the muscles in the body relax and "vent away" your stress.

Shampoo your scalp often. For individuals with oily scalps, daily shampooing will help remove the excess oil that is causing dandruff. If you use hair styling products, cut back on their use or try switching brands. Tea tree oil has been effective in controlling the fungi on your scalp and reducing the overall oiliness of the scalp. Tea tree oil works for most people, but it has caused allergic reactions in others. Using hair spray, hair gels, and hair wax will cause the oils to build up on your scalp and cause it to trap the oil on your scalp. Many studies have shown that improving your diet will help to control dandruff. A balanced diet should include zinc, B vitamins, and essential fatty acids to control the oil buildup on your scalp. Sunlight on the scalp will also dry out the hair and scalp and cause it to flake. It is important to limit your sun exposure and avoid ultraviolet light as it will also increase your risk for skin cancer.