Dandruff – Symptoms, causes and solutions

Dandruff is a skin condition that is difficult to hide, and is an issue that affects roughly 50% of the adults world’s population. If you suffer or know someone who suffers from a form of dandruff, it’s important to know about its causes and – most importantly – that it can be controlled and treated.

Dandruff is a very common scalp condition that comes in two forms. Greasy dandruff, or seborrhoeic dermatitis occurs when oily, and yellow flakes or scales form on your scalp and stick to your head and hair. Dry dandruff occurs when dry, white and loose flakes or scales form on your scalp and fall from your head and hair. Other symptoms of dandruff can include itching, redness, and a greasy or dry scalp.

Dandruff is caused by your scalp’s cell renewal process occurring too quickly, leading to the rapid shedding of your scalp’s horny skin cells, which stick together to form visible flakes.

Sensitivity to a yeast called Malassezia can also lead to the growth of extra skin cells that collect and flake off.

Malassezia globosa is a micro-organism that irritates your scalp, causing microinflammations and scalp itchiness. It thrives on the natural lipids or oils produced by the scalp, and can trigger the process of skin cells on the scalp maturing and being shed at a rapid rate, also known as skin hyperproliferation.

Skin hyperproliferation can be triggered by a variety of factors, including:

• Genetic predisposition – dandruff tends to run in families
• Climatic conditions – e.g. sun exposure, cold, heat, wind
• Physical or emotional stress
• Hormonal changes
• Lifestyle factors, such as diet or alcohol intake

What are microinflammations? They’re mild inflammations of the skin. They’re so mild, in fact, that even clinical testing won’t pick them up. But if we study skin tissue affected by microinflammations, we can detect the presence of inflammatory immune cells – in other words, the skin is responding to irritation with inflammation and thereby attempting to repair itself. If these skin cells are then subjected to further irritation, the skin can flip into a “true” inflammatory response.

How are they related to scalp conditions?

There’s growing evidence that microinflammations of the scalp are involved in most common scalp disorders – from thinning hair and dandruff, to scalp dryness, itchiness and sensitivity.

If you experience sudden hair loss or brittle hair, you may have an underlying health problem such as thyroid disease, iron deficiency, or an autoimmune disease. Some medications can also cause hair loss. Contact a dermatologist in all instances to get further information.

• Dandruff can lead to thinning hair or hair loss
• Dandruff means your hair and scalp are dirty
• Dandruff can be treated with vinegar, natural oils or baby shampoo

There’s no evidence to suggest that any of the above are true.

See your doctor or your dermatologist if you’re concerned, your symptoms are severe, or your scalp becomes inflamed, weepy or sore.