Dandruff is quite annoying, frustrating, and also embarrassing at times. The white flakes that you observe on your shirt or dress or on your head are nothing but dandruff. These are flakes of dead skin that fall off the scalp.
When you have dandruff, your scalp may look scaly and feel itchy. Scratching or rubbing your scalp loosens the flakes. Mild dandruff could be treated with a gentle daily shampoo or a medicated shampoo may help. But there are chances for the symptoms to return.
Dandruff is considered a mild form of Seborrheic dermatitis. Dandruff can be seen on other parts of your body as well apart from the scalp like the forehead, eyebrows, eyelashes or ears, or anywhere where you have body hair.
Signs, Symptoms & Treatment of Dandruff
Signs & Symptoms of Dandruff include
- Itchy scalp and flakiness.
- Red and greasy patches of skin.
The condition may worsen in winter as our skin tends to dry in this season.
It is not contagious, that is you cannot catch it or pass it along to someone else, it is harmless and does not mean that you are not clean.
The causes of Dandruff are unclear but have been believed to involve a number of genetic and environmental factors. As the skin layers continuously replace themselves, cells are pushed outward and flake off.
In this case, the cell turnover is unusually rapid leading to white flakes. It is said that for people with dandruff, the skin cells mature and shed in 2-7 days, as compared to around a month in people without dandruff. Due to this rapid cell turnover, the dead cells are shed in large.
Other causes include
- Irritated
- Dry Skin
- Sensitivity to hair care products
- other skin conditions like Psoriasis and Eczema.
After investigations, it has been said that Fungi Malassezia could be one of the causes of dandruff as it disturbs the natural renewal of cells, and dandruff appears with itching. This fungus feeds on fat for its growth, hence it is common in areas with many sebaceous glands like the scalp, face, and upper part of the body.
Treatment for Dandruff
Dandruff can be treated by the use of antifungal ingredients like Ketoconazole, Zinc pyrithione, and Selenium disulfide.
Safe Alternatives for Treating Dandruff
There are natural remedies as well as to fight against fungi. Many herbs which are proven to have antifungal activity could be used wherein there is the involvement of the fungi. Herbs like Madayantika, Gunja, Yastimadhu, Aloe vera etc.
Aloe vera contains a salicylic acid in it, which could help in killing the fungi, it also moistens the scalp, reducing itchiness and scaliness.
Anti-dandruff Products
Our Natural Product HERBCIENCE Hair Nourishing Pro-V Keratin Shampoo is manufactured based on these criteria and can help in reducing dandruff and eliminate its long-term usage.
Phyto Components like Tannins, Phytosphingosine, etc., also have been proven to have anti-dandruff activity.
Try HERBCIENCE. Go Natural.
