Dandruff is the excess shedding of skin on the scalp and, in some people, around the eyebrows, nose and chest areas. Skin renews itself frequently, but a dandruff sufferer sheds skin faster than a non-sufferer, causing large, visible flakes of skin to shed from the scalp.
Dandruff can be very itchy, dry and can cause embarrassment to the sufferer, especially if they are wearing dark clothing.
Dandruff is a common problem, affecting around 5% of the population at some point in their lives.
The specific cause of dandruff is unknown, but here are some factors that have been found to exacerbate the symptoms:
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Stress
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Exhaustion
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Alcohol and caffeine
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Poor diet
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Excess yeast levels on the skin
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Cold, dry climates
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Excessive use of hair products
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Inadequate rinsing of the scalp after washing
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General bad health
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Homeopathy such as the homeopathic remedies Nat mur and Sulphur are traditionally used to help with the symptoms of dandruff. (Always read the label on a product.)
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Daily scalp massages are really good for keeping dandruff at bay, as it stimulates circulation and breaks away the dandruff flakes.
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Oil therapy. Massage your scalp with a combination of olive oil and almond oil, leave for five minutes and rinse thoroughly.
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Food sensitivity and health balancing - evaluating your diet to see if you are getting all the nutrients you need and to identify specific food allergies could help your dandruff as well as your overall health.
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Wash your hair and scalp every day to keep the dandruff at bay. It is a myth that dandruff is caused by over washing.
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Vitamin B, Garlic and Oil of Oregano supplements are thought to be good for fighting dandruff.
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Avoid hair products that contain alcohol which dry out the scalp.
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Avoid drying your hair, if possible.
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Rinse hair and scalp with cider vinegar after shampooing to help reduce dandruff.
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Try anti-dandruff shampoos that contain tee tree oil or coal tar.
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Brush your hair thoroughly at least once a day by putting your head forward and brushing through from the neck to the forehead.
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Avoid coffee, alcohol and heavily processed foods.
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