Welcome to the topic “WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DANDRUFF”
We all have a guest that just comes uninvited and stays for a long time, that uninvited guest is ‘dandruff’. Although dandruff seems quite harmless, it is a lot to deal with.
Those white flakes that adorn your shoulders are quite embarrassing, to say the least. But the worst part is itching that never lets you live in peace.
What is dandruff?
To put it simply, it is the condition in which white flakes come off your scalp, mostly accompanied by itching. It is not related to hygiene. A common trigger of dandruff is cold and dry weather but that’s not all. Dandruff is more common in men than in women.
Root cause of dandruff:
You might be wondering what causes dandruff to form, let’s find out.
Also Read: NATURAL VS SYNTHETIC BEAUTY: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Malassezia fungi:
The fungi of the Malassezia genus are naturally found on the scalps of humans. They feed on the sebum produced in the scalp. Oleic acid is produced when a breakdown of sebum occurs. Oleic acid is the real culprit because people are sensitive to oleic acid, mostly. Consequently, the scalp becomes inflamed, irritated and itchy.
But it does not stop there, the scalp starts to shed skin cells in order to get rid of the problem. In turn, white flakes appear and start to fall off.
Other factors:
There are a number of factors which can make this condition worse than it was. These factors include:
- Dry skin or eczema:
If you have dry skin, then your scalp is bound to be flaky and itchy. But the flakes on your scalp will appear smaller and dry. Whereas, eczema is a medical condition in which skin patches become red, itchy, inflamed and rough. It might form blisters in some cases. People who suffer from scalp eczema have dandruff also.
- Shampooing your hair:
If you shampoo your hair a lot, it makes your scalp dry and causes dandruff. If you do not shampoo your hair regularly, it oil builds up on your scalp which again causes dandruff. So, it is important to shampoo your hair regularly, neither too much nor too little.
- Air pollution:
The pollutants present in the air affect your skin and scalp. They can cause allergic reactions or irritation which leads to dandruff formation.
- Stress:
Stress can worsen any medical condition as it affects the immune system. When the immune system weakens, Malassezia fungi grow, as a result of which dandruff appears. So, it is important for you to reduce your stress levels and use relaxation methods.
- Hair products:
The products you use on your hair can either treat dandruff or make it even worse than before. Use neutral shampoos and only those products that are suitable for your scalp. Certain hair products can increase the growth of Malassezia. So, choose your hair products wisely.
How to treat dandruff?
- Use anti-dandruff shampoos. They control and stop the growth of Malassezia which in turn treats dandruff.
- Use tea tree oil. It is a natural antiseptic that treats dandruff.
- Massage your scalp with coconut oil, it will help to reduce dandruff.
Apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice are also known to reduce and treat dandruff.
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