Contents :

Hair-Dandruff

Dandruff


Hair-Dandruff







Hair-Dandruff (Causes & Symptoms)

Hair-Dandruff

DANDRUFF is a very common problem indeed that of flakes falling from the
scalp every time a person combs his /her hair or rubs the head. Dandruff is
caused by a common yeast cell pityresporen ovale which causes an
inflammation of the scalp, making it shed flakes.

Dandruff is a very common sclap problem. A morbid condition of the sclap is
the emergene of dandruf which is caused by the excessive secretion of the
sebaceous glands. Dandruff is infectious and personal articles like comb,
towel, etc. of the patient should not be used by others.

Dandruff is a bothersome problem sometimes thought to be associated with
inefficient hair care. It is a mysterious ailment. It occurs when the scalp
sheds dead epidermal (skin) cells in large clumps. Everyone loses skin cells
in this way, but with dandruff the whole process is faster, so a greater
number of cells are shed.

It usually gets worse during the fall and winter and improves in the
summer. While it is caused by build up of dead skin, in many more severe
cases a yeast-like germ aggravates it. It is very common.

It is an itchy, annoying and persistent skin disorder of the scalp. Dandruff
scales appear dry, white or grayish, appearing as small, unsightly patches,
especially on top of the head. It is a form of skin inflammation (dermatitis)
which has no known cause.

This condition can appear at any time from infancy to old age, and can
come and go more or less at random. It is a natural and harmless scalp
condition in which the shedding of dead skin cells occurs at an unusually
fast rate.

In a normal scalp, the process of sloughing off old cells and manufacturing
of their replacements is very orderly and complete. Seborrheic dermatitis is
different than dandruff. If you have dandruff, the process of skin renewal
(or skin turnover) speeds up to twice the normal rate, so a greater number
of dead cells are shed.

Dandruff is usually due to the overworking of the sebaceous glands. These
glands produce oil and help shed dead skin. Dandruff usually limits itself to
the scalp and is characterized by scaling without redness, while seborrheic
dermatitis has both redness and scaling.

With dandruff, this whole process of skin renewal (or skin turnover) speeds
up, so a greater number of dead cells are being shed. It can occur at any
age, but is most likely in the early 20s. Mild cases of dandruff may need
nothing more than daily shampooing with a gentle cleanser. And stubborn
flakes often respond to medicated shampoos. Most cases of dandruff can be
treated with specialized shampoos or common household remedies.

Symptoms of Dandruff

Some sign and symptoms related to Dandruff are as follows:

Skin affected by seborrhoeic dermatitis is usually red and greasy with a
white or yellowish flaky scale.

Cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp).

There is sometimes itching or soreness and the scalp can feel tight.

Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis): This highly contagious fungal infection
occurs primarily in children younger than age 10.

Psoriasis. This skin disorder causes an accumulation of dead skin cells that
form thick silvery scales.

A yellow or red scaly rash along the hairline, behind the ears, in the ear
canal, on the eyebrows, around the nose, and/or on the chest

Your scalp can be either excessively dry or oily.

Treatment of Dandruff

Here is list of the methods for treating Dandruff:

Anti-dandruff shampoos containing the antimicrobials selenium sulphide
(eg Selsun ) or zinc pyrithione are helpful for mild dandruff.

Shampoos with coal tar (some brand names: DHS Tar, Neutrogena T/Gel,
Polytar) may be used 3 times a week.

Corticosteroid cream or lotion.

Mix 8 tbsp. peanut oil with the juice of half a lemon. Rub the mixture into
your hair, leave on for 10 minutes and then wash as usual.

Antifungal shampoo containing ketoconazole (eg Nizoral dandruff
shampoo ) provides a mild, yet effective treatment for dandruff.

If the shampoo alone doesn't help, your doctor might want you to use a
prescription steroid lotion once or twice daily, in addition to the shampoo.

Tar shampoos such as Tarsum will help to control dandruff.

What causes dandruff?

Dandruff is caused by micro-organism called pityrosporum-ovle which are
present in every body's scalp. Symptoms of dandruf get aggravated when
exposed to dust, UV light, harsh chemical based shampoo, hair dyes etc.,
this results in increase in number of microbes which causes unhealthy
residue over the scalp which leads to dandruff, which is the cause of
unhealthy, lifeless hair and may result in excessive loss of hair too.

Followings are also responsible for dandruf:-

1. Heredity

2. Lack of proper Diet

3. Environment

4. Dry or Greasy Scalp is etc.

5. Stress, anxiety and tension.

6. Infrequent shampooing of the hair or inadequate rinsing.

7. Improper use of hair-coloring products or excessive use of electric hair
curlers.

Can Dandruff Lead to Baldness?

Dandruff can lead to other problems, like acne or a rashy skin, and can
even trigger off hair loss. In severe cases dandruff, for which the medical
term is seborrheic dermatitis or seborrhea, some hair follicles could be
damaged or destroyed.

But there is no evidence in the medical journals that baldness is caused by
ordinary dandruff. Dandruff and baldness often occur together though.
Many people assume from this that one is caused by the other. It's a false
assumption.

Home remedies for Dandruff Cure and Treatment:

1. Oil your hair with pure warm coconut oil and apply juice of half a lemon
onto the scalp.

2. Massage the scalp with almond oil and steam bathe your hair. Steam
bath is taken by dipping the towel in boiling water and wrapping it around
the hair, like a turban. Do not let the corners of your towel be wet, so that
you can hold them. When your towel gets cold, repeat it thrice or four
times. Steaming opens the scalp pores and increases the capacity of the
hair to absorb oil at its roots.

3. You can also take a spoonful lemon juice, mix it with two spoonfuls
vinegar and massage on the scalp. Wash your hair with an egg shampoo.

4. Take on part almond oil, and pure sulphur in same quantity, mix and add
'surgical spirit' in the quantity equal to the above two. Put four parts
distilled water or rose water and rub on the scalp. An Effective home
remedy for dandruf.

5. Mix a spoonful of lemon juice with two spoonfuls of vinegar and massage
on the scalp. Wash your hair with an egg shampoo after this. Your hair will
be dandruf free.