I was trying to find inspiration for this post by flicking through the newspaper and came across an article for Valentine's Day. The article interviewed random people about their turn-ons and turn-offs and although the majority of respondents discussed personality traits, one young woman mentioned dandruff as a turn-off.
As we probably all know from television ads for anti-dandruff shampoo, dandruff appears as white flakes on the scalp. It is very common and the flakes are simply excess dead skin cells which may have stuck together with oil from the hair and scalp, making them larger and more noticeable. It is not dangerous, not contagious and does not cause baldness.
Dandruff, or pityriasis capitis, affects about half the population and can occur at any age, although isn't usually seen in children. Some people find it is milder in the warmer weather and worse during the colder months. People also probably are more likely to notice it in Winter as we rug up in thick, dark coats and jackets which make the white flakes more noticeable. Dandruff is not confined to the scalp and can appear on the eyebrows, the beard, and the neck and shoulders.
It is thought that dandruff may be linked to an overgrowth of a fungus which lives on everyone's scalp. For some unknown reason, sometimes this fungus grows out of control and irritates the skin, causing dandruff.
Many people with dandruff have an itchy scalp, but other causes of an itchy scalp may include:
- Cradle cap - a crusting and flaking of the scalp seen in babies
- Psoriasis - a common skin condition which causes thick, silvery scales to form. More commonly affects elbows, knees and the trunk, but can affect the scalp too.
- Contact dermatitis - an inflammation of the skin possibly triggered by an allergy to a haircare product.
- Head lice - also known as nits. A contagious disease, more common in children, where lice feed, grow and breed on the scalp and hair (check out my last post from 31 January 2012 for more info on head lice).
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis -a red, itchy scaly scalp. Dandruff is a mild form of seborrhoeic dermatitis.
Dandruff is generally treated with shampoos and regular washing of the hair. If the dandruff is mild, just a simple non-medicated shampoo may be all that is needed. In moderate cases, a medicated shampoo will probably be required. There are many brands and products which are available from Berwick Pharmacy without a prescription. Many contain ingredients such as zinc, selenium or tar. Some even contain antifungal agents for more severe cases. Have a chat to our pharmacists to see which product is best for you and for advice on how to use the product. Some shampoos need to be used daily and others perhaps only once a week.
In severe cases, a doctor may be able to prescribe something a little stronger to help clear up the dandruff, but one of our pharmacists can help you decide if this is necessary. Other signs that may mean you should see a doctor include patches of hair loss or a red, bleeding or painful scalp.
Some other hints that may help control and clear up dandruff include:
- Wash hair regularly. If you have an oily scalp, daily washing is best. Make sure you massage the scalp gently and rinse thoroughly to try and remove any loose flakes.
- It's better to wash hair after exercising rather than before as the sweat will make your head even oilier.
- Using a conditioner will help prevent your hair from drying out. Leave-in conditioners may have the added bonus of moisturising your scalp too.
- Minimise other haircare products, especially those which contain alcohol as it can dry out your skin.
- Some people find stress and a poor diet makes their dandruff worse. If this is the case, try and minimise your stress levels and eat healthily.
So if you do notice some white flakes in your hair or on your clothes, don't panic. As mentioned, dandruff affects about one in two people and is usually easily managed with a simple trip into Berwick Pharmacy. We have plenty of products which can help, plus our pharmacists are always on hand with free and friendly advice.
References and further reading
- Dandruff and Itching Scalp Fact Sheet - Better Health Channel, published August 2011 (accessed 13 February 2012)
- Dandruff Self Care Card, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, published August 2008
- A-Z of Skin: Dandruff, Australasian College of Dermatologists, published March 2001
