How to Cure Beard Dandruff

Any kind of dandruff is embarrassing, but dandruff in your beard is extremely annoying. The skin is constantly shedding and some flaking of your scalp and skin is normal. However, the problem with dandruff is that skin cells slough off in greater numbers, creating flakes that get trapped in your hair shafts and fall onto your clothing. There can also be itching associated with dandruff. This difficult problem is not life threatening but is a terrible social ill that many men suffer from. Over the counter shampoos treat scalp dandruff and will also take care of dandruff in your beard. Unfortunately there is no known cure for beard dandruff.

Things You'll Need

• Dandruff shampoo

Instructions

1. Recognize the symptoms. Dandruff is excessive scaling and flaking of the skin. When in your beard, you will find white flakes in your hair, clothing and bed linens. Itching can also be associated with beard dandruff.

2. Buy dandruff shampoo. Many times men with beard dandruff will also experience dandruff on their scalps and in their eyebrows. Choosing the right shampoo to treat your dandruff is important. There are many different dandruff shampoos on the market. Be sure that you choose one that contains tar, coal, salicylic acid, sulfur, selenium sulfide, or zinc pyrithione. Look on the ingredient list and if the shampoo claims to treat dandruff but does not include one of these ingredients, do not purchase it.

3. Use the shampoo. When showering, use the dandruff shampoo on your beard. Many dandruff shampoos recommend that users leave the shampoo in the hair for a certain amount of time. Wet your beard, apply the dandruff shampoo and let it stay in your hair as recommended.

4. Rinse. Now that you've completed the shampoo process, rinse it out. Sometimes dandruff is exacerbated because shampoos are not thoroughly rinsed out of the hair. Be sure to use several applications of water on your beard.

5. Dry your beard thoroughly after showering.

6. Reduce stress. Dandruff is linked to stress, so be sure to get plenty of sleep, drink at least eight glasses of water daily, have a regular exercise routine and eat a healthy diet that includes vegetables, fruits and fiber. Avoid situations that are unduly stressful.

7. Switch shampoos. Try different dandruff shampoos. When treating dandruff, in your beard or scalp, it is recommended that the dandruff shampoo only be used two to three times per week. After you finish a bottle of one dandruff shampoo, buy a different product next time. This alternating of dandruff shampoos will keep the flakes at bay.

Tips & Warnings

• If you try various dandruff shampoos and still have uncontrollable beard dandruff, see a dermatologist. He can prescribe medicated shampoos that will take care of the problem.

• If you experience sores that ooze or drain pus, fever, hair loss and swelling and redness to your beard area, see a physician immediately.