Dandruff: A common problem not to be brushed off

No one is thrilled about the idea of having oily or dry dandruff. Yet, one in two people admits to experiencing this problem. In other words, you’re not alone! Why do you have dandruff and how can you get rid of it? Find out here.

What are the different types of dandruff?

Dry dandruff

It spontaneously detaches from the scalp and falls to the shoulders. It is more likely to occur in normal to dry scalps, whose lack of sebum causes small cracks in the skin. Dry dandruff is not usually due to the proliferation of fungi ("pityriasis") pityriasis, but rather to an overly dry scalp.

Oily dandruff

This type of dandruff occurs in overly oily scalps and remains attached, in yellowish plaques. These plaques are mixed with sebum and promote the growth of bacteria, often leading to irritation and itching. For our purposes, we will only deal with oily dandruff caused by seborrheic parakeratosis. We will not address seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis.

What factors account for the development of dandruff?

Certain internal and external factors can increase the risk of developing dandruff.

• Stress and overwork
• Infections and fever
• Menstrual periods 
• Hormonal imbalance
• Overly detergent shampoos
• Poorly rinsed hair
• Overuse of dyes and perms
• Alcohol-containing gels, mousse and hair sprays
• Dry, overheated rooms (in the winter)
• Overly acidic diet (too much meat, fat, deli meat, caffeine, sweets and too little alkaline foods, such as water, fruit and vegetables)

How can dandruff be eliminated

From the Canadian Medical Association: “Dandruff can often be a chronic condition, but it can be controlled with the proper treatment. First, try shampooing with a non-medicated shampoo, massaging the scalp briskly, and then rinsing well. If this fails, special anti-dandruff shampoos may be helpful. Instructions for use depend on the specific shampoo selected. Some are used on a daily basis, while others are used only once or twice weekly.”

“Frequent shampooing removes flakes and helps control dandruff formation by slowing the production and shedding of skin cells on the scalp. When selecting an over-the-counter shampoo, look for anti-dandruff ingredients such as ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, sulfur, or zinc pyrithione. Shampoos that contain ketoconazole appear to be more effective in the treatment of seborrhea and dandruff when compared with other non-prescription medicated shampoos.”

If shampoos do not solve the problem in two weeks, if symptoms get worse or if the itching is very pronounced, consider visiting a doctor.

Related articles

• Dry skin: Moisturize your way to healthy skin!
• Antidandruff shampoo 
• Oily skin: The right beauty regimen 
• Cradle cap: A simple case of too much oil 
• Eczema: When skin reacts to its environment