Introduction to dandruff

This is also known as scurf. The medical terminology is Pityriasis capitis. This could be due to excessive shedding of the dead skin cells within the scalp. It is quite common that, you lose hairs in a small amount which is considered to be normal physiological process. Millions of cells die and get replaced by new within the dermal layer.

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Definition of dandruff

Continuous wear and tear of bodily cells is normal physiological process. When this shedding begins at scalp and produces white dead debris like structures is known as dandruff.

This is unpredictable by any means. That means, there is no common agreement upon the theory about what basically cause the condition. It is roughly estimated that 95% of the population of the United States will at some juncture in their lives have a form of the dandruff.

Dandruff may happen at any age but this is most common in the people from 12 to 65 year of age.

Newborns and infants also suffer from the same condition, it is known as cradle cap.

Dandruff is defined as itchy, persistent and annoying skin disorders of the scalp. It becomes more troublesome when someone wears dark shirt. Nothing is more embarrassing than to have someone just brush offs the white flakes from your dark colored shirt or jacket.

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Causes of the dandruff

The human body surface continuously sheds the dead skin cells. It is general wear and tear phenomena and is considered to be normal in every individual. The skin itself sheds all the time. The dead cells are removed and new cells are replaced for the better look of the skin. Dandruff is the result of the normal growing pattern of the skin cells of the scalp. It is the same mechanism what we have in our skin. But shedding of the dead skin from the scalp in excess results into the situation called dandruff.

About 30 years ago it was believed that there is tiny fungus, the yeast called as Pityrosporum ovale or Malassezia furfur on the scalp is the main causative factor. Everyone has some of the yeast on scalps especially on the greasy areas such as scalp and upper side of the back.

It is still not proved that whether the reaction to the yeast actually is the causative factor for the increased turnover and flaking or the flaky skin gives an environment in which the yeast grows. But it is sure that getting rid of the yeast must improve the dandruff condition.

In the normal scalp, the mechanism of the sloughing off the old and dead cells and manufacturing the new cells to replace them is very orderly and complete. But in the dandruff scalp, there is huge disorder and often the departing cells are not old and dead before they are off from the scalp.

The another though for the dandruff is, this could be seasonal. This increases in the winter and mildest during summer. Excessive use of hairsprays and gels may cause dandruff. Improper use of hair coloring products and electronics hair driers are responsible factors. Cold weather and dry atmosphere may give rise to dandruff. Recent researches reveal stress, tension and anxiety are also primarily factors giving raise to dandruff.

But mainly, we can divide two causes for the dandruff, external and internal.

Internal cause

This may include the poor health condition, hormonal imbalance and poor hygiene. This could be allergic or hypersensitive. Lack of rest, emotional stress and improper nutrition may also cause dandruff. Excessive consumption of the sugar, starch and fat may affect the wear-and-tear of the scalp dead cells. This is believed to be hereditary in the major cases.

External cause

This includes the improper use of the hair-coloring products or the excess use of the hot hair curlers or curling irons. Excessive use of the hair sprays and gels may result into producing dandruff. It is believed that cold whether and dry indoor heating is one of the causative factors that give rise to the dandruff. Stress and anxiety are not uncommon causes. Infrequent shampooing of the hair or inadequate rinsing of the scalp and hairs may result producing the dandruff..

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Symptoms of the dandruff

Skin lesions are main factors. There could be skin scales those can be white and flaking or yellowish, oily and adherent. There could be mild redness. Itching is usually present. Dandruff can be seen on clothes, blankets, shirts and pillows.

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Prevention of the dandruff

Never comb hardly. Try to keep short hairs. Avoid using chemical shampoo and you can replace them with herbal wash. Avoid itching on the scalp as this may take off the dead skin from the scalp. Wash your hairs regularly. Clumsy and dirty hairs are seat for dandruff. Prefer shampoo instead of soap to wash the hairs. One should wash their hairs with the Indian herb areetha. A lemon is squeezed fully to your scalp and massaged well before taking bath to the head and this could be done twice a week.

Here are some more tips to get rid of the dandruff,

Check out the shampoo contains. Journal of American academy of dermatology, 2002 suggest that 5% tea tree oil shampoo improved the dandruff by 41% so the shampoo containing tea tree oil is beneficial.

Try to use some herbal shampoo that fight against the fungal or yeast infections. Shampoo containing neem, areetha and Aloe vera fight one or the other way.

Hair products and hair gels can irritate the scalp in some persons. For a while, one can change the brand or the composition.

Try to avoid scratching the scalp. While shampooing the hairs, massage the scalp without scratching. It is proved under the electron microscope that persons who scratch their hairs have the fingernail marks, damaging the hair root and also causing the dandruff

If the dandruff is mild and not so severe, kindly use the shampoo that is labeled as ‘for daily or frequent use’ because, each and every shampoo is not made up for daily use purpose. This may damage the scalp and weaken the hair roots.

If possible, avoid dyeing of the hairs. We do have bacteria on our scalp, and some people believe that some of bacteria are beneficial as they prevent dandruff yeast. Hair dyes reduce the numbers of these bacteria.

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Diet for dandruff

Give up spicy and oily food. Junk food and oily foods are also contraindicated. Never take an extra salt with food. Try to avoid extreme hot food. Whole grams, green leafy vegetables, beans and fruits are good to have. On the other hand sea food, salty food, sugar and citrus food are to be avoided or restricted. Try to give up food containing yeast like pizzas and burgers.

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Ayurvedic treatment for dandruff

Ayurvedic treatment includes single herbs and formulae to fight against dandruff.

Some formulae that work on dandruff are mentioned below…

Rasayana churnam (powdered preparation)

Triphala ghrita (the butter oil preparation of ayurveda containing triphala)

Manjishthadi kashaya (the herbal decoction)

Shikakai and aavla (Indian herbs) to be applied on scalp in any form like shampoo, paste or decoction.