Dandruff is a kind of skin disorder that affects the scalp. Dandruff is a condition in which white, dry flakes of dead skin are shed from the scalp. Normally dead skin cells are shed from the scalp, but it results in dandruff only when the scalp starts shedding thick layers of these dead skin particles.
Seborrheic dermatitis or Seborrhoea is a disorder of the sebaceous glands which affects the scalp. Seborrhoea produces severe dandruff and a red, itchy scalp. Dandruff rarely causes hair loss or baldness. However, severe seborrheic dermatitis may cause patchy baldness.
Some common causes of dandruff are the following:
- Unclean habits
- Stress and emotional problems
- Skin diseases like psoriasis or eczema
- Dry skin
- Hard shampoos & sensitivity to hair care products
- Exposure to severe cold
- Excessive intake of oily and sweet foods
Two of the quickest ways to get started are to brush your hair and try a dandruff shampoo.Dandruff can almost always be controlled, but dandruff treatment may take a little patience and persistence. In general, daily cleansing with a gentle shampoo to reduce oiliness and skin cell buildup can often help mild dandruff.
When regular shampoos fail, OTC dandruff shampoos may succeed. But dandruff shampoos aren't all alike, and you may need to experiment until you find one that works for you.