Chronic Dandruff
Dandruff is also known as seborrhea, and it refers to a condition that results in the excessive shedding of skin flakes from the scalp. Though it is a relatively common condition, it can be socially embarrassing, and it is important to know what to do about it. Dandruff is typically chronic, and it will not go away on its own. Does this Spark an idea?
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Symptoms
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According to the Mayo Clinic, chronic dandruff is easily identified by the dry or greasy skin flakes that are shed from the scalp. It is typically also accompanied by a strong itching sensation on the scalp. The itchiness can also result in scratching, which will further irritate the scalp.
Causes
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Chronic dandruff is typically caused by a fungus that is known both as malassezia furfur and pityrosporum ovale, which is the older name. While the fungus is harmless and present on all humans, it can start feeding excessively on the oil that is created by the hair follicles. Excessive feeding on the oil leads to scalp irritation and increased cell production, which in turn leads to an excessive shedding of old skin cells.
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Exacerbating Factors
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While chronic dandruff is caused by fungal growth, there are a number of factors that can make it worse. Hormonal fluctuations, illnesses, food allergies and vitamin deficiency can make chronic dandruff worse, as can stress, cold weather and excessive use of heat on the hair.
Treatment
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While there is no cure for chronic dandruff, there are things that you can do to reduce it. Shampoos that have selenium sulfide or salicylic acid and sulfur can help reduce dandruff. Switching between shampoos can also prevent you from developing a tolerance that renders the shampoo ineffective. A common home remedy for chronic dandruff includes rinsing the hair with ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar after a shower.
Misconceptions
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Contrary to popular belief, chronic dandruff has nothing to do with failing to wash your hair. While washing your hair gets rid of existing dandruff, it does nothing to encourage or discourage dandruff on its own. Similarly, there is no evidence that states that baldness and dandruff are related. This misconception may occur due to the fact that baldness and dandruff can occur at the same time during the course of a man's life.
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References
- Photo Credit hair cut image by MLProject from Fotolia.com
