All You Need to Know About Dandruff

If those little white flakes from your scalp have kept you away from black shirts for too long, don't worry—there is a solution. If dandruff has got you down, you're in good company. According to recent reports, fifty percent of people in Europe and North America have dandruff. If you're not quite sure what dandruff is or how to treat it, here is a crash course in dandruff.

What is dandruff? According to MediLexicon, dandruff is "the presence, in varying amounts, of white or gray scales in the hair of the scalp, due to excessive or normal exfoliation of the epidermis."  The most common sign of dandruff is white flakes on the scalp and in the hair. The white flakes become most noticeable when they fall on the person's shoulders, especially if that person is wearing dark colored clothing. People with dandruff may feel that their scalp is tight and itchy. Dandruff also has emotional and psychological side effects. Often, dandruff brings about low self-esteem. Individuals suffering from dandruff may feel embarrassed by their condition, which could prevent them from attending social events and approaching new people or even buying that new outfit they want.

Why does it happen? Here is the low-down from WebMD. Skin cells are constantly renewing and replicating, even on our scalp. When new skin cells are created, the old ones are pushed out of the body. When someone has dandruff, skin cells are created faster, which means that more dead cells are produced. When too many skin cells are produced the body is unsure what to do with them. The white flakes accumulate and stick to the scalp and hair. Some people experience dandruff at certain points in their life (acute dandruff) whereas other experience dandruff consistently (chronic dandruff).

How do you treat dandruff?
One of the many myths about dandruff is that the white flakes are caused by dry skin. This myth encourages people to use heavy conditioners and oils in their hair as a way to “treat” the dandruff. “The majority of dandruff cases clear up on their own or with over-the-counter shampoos. Trying to nix flakes with moisturizing stylers like oils and pomades is only a temporary fix.

“Dandruff is actually an inflammatory scalp disease unrelated to dryness,” says Dr. McMichael. If you want to get rid of dandruff once and for all, visit your local drug store and purchase a shampoo specifically for the treatment of dandruff.

Scott McCarty, owner of Shear Pointe Hair Restoration Center in Detroit, cautions dandruff sufferers against sticking to one shampoo. “You may need to alternate between several shampoos that work for you in case one seems to lose its effectiveness or one particular shampoo is causing your hair to become unmanageable. Be sure to use a good quality conditioner as well.  This is especially important if you are wearing added hair. Your local hair replacement professional knows your scalp and hair intimately, so ask them for a product recommendation that they feel will suit your particular hair and scalp, and will also work well with your hair addition or hair replacement solution.”

If you’ve tried at-home remedies and you’re still scratching your scalp, consult your primary care physician. If you continue to itch your head, the scalp may become red, cracked, and swollen. When symptoms become severe, it's important to seek medical attention to ensure that dandruff symptoms aren't in fact masking a more serious disease.

Dandruff is clearly not a serious, life threatening condition. However, it is one that affects the way we view ourselves and in turn how others view us. Treating dandruff is relatively straightforward, but you have to know how to treat it first.