Types of Dandruff and How to Treat Them
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You may need to try more than one product to find the routine that works for you. A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, and nails. Sometimes the symptoms can indicate other, more serious, conditions such as Actinic keratoses (AKs) or Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm), and it’s best to be checked out to get the best treatment. If your itch isn’t letting up or your scalp becomes red or swollen, speak with your doctor. Check in as well if shampoos don’t help, redness and flaking spread to your face or other areas on the body, or the itching starts to interfere with your everyday life.
Why a balanced scalp microbiome is key to getting healthy, thick hair
Take this quiz to find out how much psoriasis is affecting your emotional well-being — and what to do about it. Lindsay Curtis is a freelance health & medical writer in South Florida. Prior to becoming a freelancer, she worked as a communications professional for health nonprofits and the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Nursing.
Additional treatments
Dandruff is common—affecting approximately 50% of adults worldwide. Though dandruff can be an annoyance, understanding the causes and finding suitable treatment options can help you effectively manage this common scalp concern. Moderate dandruff can usually be treated with an over-the-counter (OTC) dandruff shampoo. Learn more about the types, symptoms, causes, and treatment of dandruff.
Avoid harsh products
They also sell a nourishing conditioner that works to add needed moisture to your scalp and hair. Wash away dandruff with this gentle shampoo designed to soothe the most sensitive of scalps. It includes cocamidopropyl betaine, which gently cleanses without drying, and antimicrobial piroctone olamine which helps strengthen and protect.
An older test-tube study measured the antifungal effects of baking soda on some of the most common strains of fungus that cause skin infections. It suggests that baking soda completely inhibited fungal growth in 79% of specimens after 7 days. Probiotics have also been shown to help treat and prevent skin conditions such as eczema and atopic dermatitis, especially in infants and children.
If you have mild to moderate dandruff, treating it with over-the-counter (OTC) shampoos can often help keep flakes, itching, and irritation at bay. There are a few different ways to oil your hair, depending on your hair type and goals. Dr. Spann suggests heating the oil for a few seconds for maximum penetration.
One small study of 22 people found that applying diluted apple cider vinegar to the skin topically didn’t improve eczema or skin barrier integrity. Coconut oil and its compounds have also been shown to have antimicrobial properties in some test-tube studies. That said, researchers have not yet examined the effects of the specific strain of fungus that causes dandruff. Research suggests that it may improve skin hydration, prevent dryness, and decrease inflammation when applied as a moisturizer. If one type of shampoo isn’t effective or loses its effectiveness over time, try another kind. Just below the surface of your skin are glands that produce sebum, an oily substance that helps moisturize and protect your skin.
For mild dandruff, first try regular cleansing with a gentle shampoo to reduce oil and skin cell buildup. Some people can tolerate using a medicated shampoo two to three times a week, with regular shampooing on other days if needed. People with drier hair would benefit from less frequent shampooing and a moisturizing conditioner for the hair or scalp.
How to prevent hair loss from dandruff
The extra humid environment, combined with the roughly 280,000 oil glands found on the scalp, makes the microbiome susceptible to disruption. It’s why maintaining a healthy scalp microbiome is a key part of our haircare that should be taken as seriously as our skin-protecting and nourishing regime, particularly as we age. This can injure your hair follicles, leading to some hair loss, though not complete baldness. In addition, dandruff can increase hair loss in people with androgenic alopecia, a condition that causes male– and female-pattern baldness.
When these microbes consume the natural oils on your skin, they can produce byproducts that the body reacts to, leading to shedding and inflammation. Seborrheic dermatitis occurs more often in people with oily skin. In addition to flakes, this common scalp condition can cause red scaly patches and itching. When over-the-counter shampoos don’t improve dandruff symptoms, healthcare providers may prescribe medicated shampoos or other topical medications to help control your symptoms.
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This can cause the scalp to become irritated and produce extra skin cells. Here are some tips on treating seborrheic dermatitis naturally. While you’re at it, make some time to brush your hair, too. "It’s old-school, but it works to get rid of the scale," says Shamban.
However, there is not enough research evidence to prove that these or other dietary measures can help resolve dandruff. Some experts suggest using a shampoo for a month to see if it works. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that have been linked to numerous health benefits, including allergy protection, lower cholesterol levels, and increased weight loss.
This isn’t permanent and should resolve once you find out what’s causing your dandruff. If you don’t already know the cause, your doctor or dermatologist can help. Once you’ve verified that you actually have dandruff, head to your nearest drugstore and start reading those ingredient labels. “Common ingredients like pyrithione zinc, ketoconazole, and selenium disulfide are antifungal and have shown some good results in reducing dandruff,” says Burg. They’re an affordable addition to your in-shower arsenal; Shamban’s drugstore favorite is the popular Selsun Blue ($8), which contains cooling menthol and a dose of selenium sulfide.
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