What Exactly Is Dandruff?

By: Louise Forrest
Submitted: 2008-07-01 12:28:53
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Dandruff is nothing else but the excessive production of scalp. Many skin specialists agree that dandruff is associated with tiny fungus called pityrosporum ovale. This fungus, when becomes out of control causes dandruff. It can appear in the hair and can also spread in eyebrows and beard to neck and shoulder. Its effects are severe in winters and milder in summers. The people with oily skin are more prone to it.

Dandruffs are of various kinds such as dandruff caused by over dry skin and scalp with white flakes that cause itching. Another type of dandruff is where scalp may be waxy or greasy with scales. It can occur on any type of skin, be it oily or dry. There is a certain kind of bacteria which in fact doesn’t cause dandruff, but it can aggravate the condition.

There may various causes for dandruff, including some of the internal or external ones. Some of the internal causes are- i) hormonal imbalance, ii) poor health condition, iii) poor hygiene, i.e. failing to keep oneself or the surroundings clean, iv) allergy or unfavorable reaction to certain substances that may cause or aggravate dandruff , v) due to lack of rest or being overworked, vi) emotional stress or emotional disturbances, vii) due to improper diet containing excess of sugar, fat and starch contents, and, viii) due to improper nutrition and hereditary predisposition.

Apart from above mentioned internal causes, there are some external causes of dandruff too. Dandruff can make its appearance due to following causes, such as, i) due to excessive use of hair sprays and gels etc., ii) due to improper use of hair coloring products i.e. if these products are not used properly or they are of inferior quality, they may cause harm to the skin and dandruff may make its appearance, iii) excessive use of hair dryers or hot curlers, which dry up the scalp, iv) using heaters or hot air blowers inside the house, v) stress or anxiety, vi) inadequate rinsing of scalp after shampooing.     

Dandruff is a problem is not noticeable at initial stage by bare eyes. We take notice of it only when the white flakes start falling and cause itching. One should not ignore the problem as it may further lead to other problems like eczema or eye problems etc. Therefore, proper measures are required to be taken for treating the bacterial growth causing dandruff. 

To get rid of dandruff one should firstly find out the real cause of it. Medicated shampoos, specially made for dandruff problems, are useful. The type of shampoo depends upon the type of dandruff one has. One must have a healthy diet and do regular exercise. There are some simple home remedies that have been proved to be effective in treating dandruff. Application of coconut oil with lemon juice is very effective in this case. If the problem persists for long and causes other problems, it is advised to see a dermatologist to get proper treatment.

Article source: Expert Articles