How Does Dandruff Develop?
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Psoriasis or Another Skin Disease
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People with psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that causes scaly, patchy skin, can sometimes have symptoms show up on their scalp, causing the skin to rub off in flakes. Similarly, eczema and dermatitiscan result in skin becoming rough, flaky and itchy.
Allergies
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Your scalp can have a bad reaction to a hair care product, which will essentially result in your scalp breaking out in an itchy rash. This can also happen if you don't rinse well after coloring your hair, shampooing or conditioning. Of course, it's more prone to happen to people with sensitive skin to begin with.
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Overly oily scalp
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You may think that having a dry scalp would make your more susceptible to dandruff, but actually the opposite is true. Though those with dryer skin may lose more skin cells, it's oil that holds them together to form those thick white flakes. The problem is more pronounced in those who don't wash their hair often enough, since shampoo, like detergent, can work to combat oil.
Fungus
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This might seem a little gross, but everyone has a fungus living on their scalps. It goes by the name of malassezia and its purpose is to digest scalp oil. If you have a normal amount of malassezia, you're fine, but sometimes the numbers can spike unexpectedly. This overgrowth can lead to a higher skin cell turnover rate, for reasons that are still partially unknown. Scientists do know that a large presence of excess skin cells can lead them to clump and flake on the scalp.
Stress
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Though stress alone doesn't usually cause dandruff, it can facilitate the problem. A high stress level can compromise the way your entire body functions, including your skin.
Important note
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Though most dandruff can be treated over the counter with the various shampoos and treatments available, it's important to see a doctor if your problem is recurring or severe. Some causes of dandruff may require prescription medical treatment or could be a sign of a more serious ailment.
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