Dandruff is a mysterious ailment. Mysterious, in that there is no commonly agreed upon theory about what actually causes the condition. It is estimated that as much as 97% of the population of the United States will at some point in their lives have a form of dandruff, but there is still a lack of total agreement about this condition.

Dandruff can happen at any age but is most commonly found in people between the ages of 12 and 80. (A form of dandruff known as cradle cap occurs in newborns and infants).

Dandruff is an itchy, annoying and persistent skin disorder of the scalp. A dark shirt and dandruff just simply don’t go together! There is nothing more embarrassing than to have someone brush white flakes off your new black sweater or denim jacket. In the past ten years dandruff problems in the United States have become more serious and more frequent.

What Is Dandruff?

First you should know that a person’s entire body surface continuously sheds dead skin cells. The skin itself sheds every twenty-four days. Dandruff is the result of the normal growing process of the skin cells of the scalp. Shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp at an excessive rate, is the result of the normal growing process of the skin cells of the scalp.

In a normal scalp, the process of sloughing off old cells and manufacturing of their replacements is very orderly and complete. In the dandruff scalp, there is mass disorder and often the departing cells are not dead before leaving the scalp.

There appear to be two different causes of dandruff — internal and external:

Dry Or Greasy Dandruff?

Dandruff can cause either an overly dry scalp with itchy white flakes that may be waxy or greasy or dandruff can manifest as an oily greasy scalp with scales.

Dandruff & The Fungus Theory

Contrary to popular theory, although bacteria may aggravate a dandruff condition, bacteria do not cause the initial problem. Most medical authorities consider dandruff, even the mildest forms, to be a type of scalp or skin related disease. Clinically, one description of dandruff is seborrhea capitos or excessive sebum production of the scalp. Today most skin specialists agree that dandruff is associated with a tiny fungus called Pityrosporum ovale, or P. ovale for short. This fungus lives on our bodies and scalp all the time, usually without causing a problem. Unfortunately, for some people, it can get out of control… leading to dandruff.

Additional Causes Of Dandruff

Dandruff is usually seasonal. It is most severe during the winter and mildest during the summer. Dandruff scales usually occur as small, round, white-to-gray patches on top of the head. Scaling can occur anywhere on the scalp, in the hair, on the eyebrows, the beard and can spread to the neck and shoulders. Dandruff is often known as “dry scalp”, but people with oily scalps tend to suffer the most. An oily scalp also supports the growth of P. ovale. Since dandruff is a natural process, it can not be eliminated. It can only be managed and controlled.

Traditional Dandruff Shampoos

One of the best known treatments for dandruff for years was Head & Shoulders. The new dandruff shampoos have changed quite a bit and have become a lot more sophisticated. Pantene make a good dandruff shampoo.

The best approach is to pick a product and try it. If the product works and is successful at controlling your dandruff, continue to use it. It is important to remember that there is no known “official” cure for dandruff. Once you have the problem the best that you can hope for is management and control.

When using a retail dandruff product it is recommended that this product will need to be used continually. Once dandruff shampoos or products are discontinued, the dandruff will return. Thorough cleansing of the scalp and the hair will keep dandruff flakes out of sight for up to three days. It takes the scalp up to three days before it can generate a new batch of flakes.

A key point to remember is to select the mildest shampoo possible. Although detergent based shampoos will clean the hair and scalp well, they often cause drying will will make the flaking worse.

Some Current Retail Dandruff Choices

• Neutrogena
• Head & Shoulders
• Pantene Pro-V Dandruff Formula
• Pert Plus
• Selsun Blue
• Tegrin

Nizoral

Nizoral is the only shampoo containing a patented active ingredient known as ketoconazole (discovered by Dr. Paul Janssen in Belgium). This ingredient is medically proven to be effective against P. ovale and acts directly to inhibit growth of the fungus. Most other anti-dandruff shampoos work by normalizing the pH of the scalp. Nizoral is the most well-studied anti-dandruff shampoo available today. There is over a decade of clinical experience with Nizoral.

This product is the number one choice of doctors and pharmacists, who have recommended an anti-dandruff shampoo to millions of dandruff sufferers all over the world. Nizoral shampoo is also unique in that it’s effect is long-lasting. Even after rinsing, Nizoral carries on working for several days. This means that you don’t need to use Nizoral every day making it extremely cost-effective.

Treatment In Severe Cases

In severe cases dermatologists will prescribe a special ointment or lotion to treat the problem. It is generally agreed that drugstore products which contain zinc pyritheone or selenium sulfide are the most effective in ridding the scalp of dandruff flakes. If a scalp shows signs of redness, swelling, scabbing, or gooeyness – accompanied by flakes, in all likelihood there could be another scalp disease involved like psoriasis or ringworm (yucky, but can be treated). With any of these symptoms it is important to see your health care provider immediately!

Diet

According to the Encyclopedia of Natural Healing by Siegfried Gursche, nutrition can play a big part in controlling dandruff. To counteract the inefficient carbohydrates and fatty-acid metabolization, which can cause dandruff, include plenty of B vitamins in your diet. Nutritional yeast and raw wheat germ are two excellent sources of B vitamins, particularly vitamin B6 which plays an important role in controlling dandruff.

Eggs and cabbage also provide vitamin B6 in addition to supplying sulfur which is nature’s beauty mineral for the scalp. Sometimes an allergy to dairy products may cause dandruff in which case alternative food sources of vitamin B6 are preferred. Other common allergens which provoke dandruff are chocolate, nuts and shellfish. The good fats, found in nuts and flax seed benefit the body and promote healthy scalps.

Alternative Treatments

Garlic and oil of oregano are also excellent for fighting dandruff. You can take it internally or externally depending on what seems to work best for your situation. Both are sold in health food stores as capsules or tablets.

Improving Circulation

Alternating hot and cold water on the head increases circulation to the scalp. Yoga headstands will also help with circulation. Exercising out in the fresh air will also help with circulation to the scalp. Brush your scalp carefully to loosen scales before shampooing. If you wash your hair daily use small amounts of baby shampoo. Harsh shampoos will just cause the sebaceous gland to overcompensate by producing more oil than necessary.

Sulfur Products Are Beneficial

Onions are high in sulfur. Cut a fresh onion in half and rub it on the scalp, I know it looks strange. Wash your hair once a week with a sulfur based soap. Avoid hair products that contain alcohol which dries out the scalp. Also avoid hair dryers which will also dry the scalp and add to the problem.

Summary

Dandruff can affect many different people in every age group. There is still controversy over whether dandruff is caused by fungus or by excessive sebum production of the scalp. Dandruff can manifest as either very dry and flaky scalp or very oily scalp with flakes. There are many different retail shampoos that are designed to combat dandruff today. Whatever type of solution you select, take your time and understand that every treatment works differently for every situation.

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