Reasons for Dandruff
Dandruff is immediately identifiable when you see it on your own shoulders or in somebody's hair. As bothersome and perhaps embarrassing as it may be, learning the reasons for dandruff is important. If you have dandruff, identifying the reason will help you to choose the most effective treatment to reduce its presence. Rest assured, it has nothing to do with poor hygienic habits. Does this Spark an idea?
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Fungus
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One cause of dandruff is a fungus called malassezia. It is yeast that grows in the oily secretions on your skin and scalp. Most adults have this fungus, but in some cases, malassezia multiplies and irritates your scalp. Your scalp produces skin cells to resist the irritation. In turn, these extra skin cells are visible as they die and fall off. An antidandruff shampoo that contains an antifungal like ketoconazole will reduce dandruff in these cases.
Psoriasis
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You may have been familiar with psoriasis found on the body. It makes skin look thicker and scaly, and can form on your scalp. As it sheds, it creates dandruff. Other skin conditions can also cause dandruff. If you suffer from eczema or another condition on your arms, legs or trunk, it may be causing dandruff.
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Dry Skin
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Have you ever noticed how dry skin from your arms and legs leaves white powder on your clothes? The same thing can happen under your hair. If your scalp is itchy and easily irritated, dry skin may be the culprit. Dry climates and heated rooms in winter can aggravate this condition. A good conditioner can help alleviate the problem.
Oily Skin
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If you struggle with very oily skin on your face, especially around the nose and eyebrows, you might have seborrheic dermatitis. Unlike dry skin, which produces powdery fine dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis may show up as scales covering red skin on your scalp. Nobody knows exactly what causes seborrheic dermatitis, but be sure to get plenty of rest. Fatigue and stressful conditions may aggravate it, and in turn produce more dandruff.
Treatment
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Be sure to shampoo your hair and scalp regularly using a dandruff fighting shampoo. Severe cases may require daily shampooing until it is brought under control. Many antidandruff shampoos contain zinc pyrithione. Stronger ones may have coal tar or ketoconazole, which combats fungus growth. A natural antidandruff remedy is tea tree oil. Try to find the cause of your dandruff, and then experiment with different shampoos to see which one suits you best.
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