Dandruff
Synopsis of Dandruff
Dandruff is a common scalp condition characterized by flaking of the skin on the scalp, sometimes accompanied by mild itching or irritation. While it is not contagious or serious, it can be persistent and cosmetically bothersome. Dandruff can result from dry skin, excess oil production, fungal overgrowth (Malassezia yeast), sensitivity to hair products (contact dermatitis), or a combination of these factors.
It typically worsens in cold, dry weather and may fluctuate with stress or hormonal changes. In more severe cases, dandruff can evolve into seborrheic dermatitis, where oily, inflamed patches develop not only on the scalp but also on the eyebrows, sides of the nose, and behind the ears.
Types of Dandruff:
-
Dry Scalp Dandruff: Fine, loose white flakes often caused by dry air or harsh shampoos.
-
Oily Scalp Dandruff: Larger, greasy flakes caused by excess sebum and yeast overgrowth.
-
Seborrheic Dermatitis: More severe form with yellowish, oily scales and redness.
-
Product Buildup Dandruff: From heavy hair products irritating the scalp.
Common Causes:
-
Malassezia yeast overgrowth on the scalp
-
Dry skin (especially in winter)
-
Excess oil (sebum) production
-
Sensitivity to shampoos, conditioners, or hair dyes
-
Infrequent shampooing (allowing oils and skin cells to accumulate)
-
Poor scalp hygiene
-
Stress, immune suppression, hormonal imbalances
Severity Factors:
-
Symptoms worsen in cold, dry conditions
-
Oily skin types are more prone to seborrheic dandruff
-
Chronic stress can exacerbate symptoms
-
In some people, dandruff may persist despite good hygiene and requires medicated treatment
When to See a Doctor:
-
Severe flaking, redness, or swelling that does not improve with over-the-counter treatments
-
Signs of infection (yellow discharge, pain)
-
Hair loss associated with scalp irritation
-
Dandruff spreading to other areas (ears, eyebrows, nose)
-
If psoriasis or eczema of the scalp is suspected
Natural remedies for Dandruff
Gentle, regular shampooing: Removes excess oils and skin flakes
Use of anti-fungal shampoos: Containing zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, or ketoconazole
Tea tree oil: Diluted in carrier oil or shampoos (antifungal and anti-inflammatory)
Apple cider vinegar rinses: May restore scalp pH balance (diluted, used carefully)
Scalp massage: Improves circulation and loosens flakes
Coconut oil: Moisturizes dry scalp and has antifungal properties
Manage stress: Meditation, exercise, and adequate sleep
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Dandruff
aloe vera
anthocyanins
beta-pinene
bilberry
black currant
blueberry
carrot
clove
coating
turmeric
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
green tea
mustard seed
natural flavor
spruce
oregano
PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
pomegranate
quercetin
resveratrol
silicon
spirulina
thyme
vitamin C
vitamin D
zinc
mugwort
neem tree
commiphora
boxthorne
siler root
hyacinth bean
zanthoxylum
birch
trace minerals
wintergreen
menthol oil
melaleuca alternifolia
Ash
Angelica archanglica
Amber
Apple Cider Vinegar
Asoka
Agastache
Arisaema erubescens
Alpha-terpineol
Arisaema amurense
Ajuga
Artemisia
Almond Oil
Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Anacard Or
Abutua
Aresaema (unspecified)
Asteracea
Alum
Asian Plantain
Argan nut oil
Ant
Ant
Aster (unspecified)
Atlantic Cedar
Belladonna
Bentonite
Belleric myrobalan
Baphicacanthus cusia
Brandy
Balsam
Betel
Bitter Grass
Bee hive
Birch (unspecified)
Balsam (unspecified)
Bee products
Birch
Black Walnut
Black Pepper and White Pepper
benzyl isothiocyanate
Black Mustard
Black Hellebore
Borneol
Coconut
Color
Chickweed
coconut oil
Colloid
Common Plantain
Chinese mugwort
Cajuput
California Goldenrod
Camphor
Chinese Raisintree
Clivers
Castor
Color (Natural & Artificial)
Comb
Common madia
coconut oil
chrysanthemum
China Rose
Coconut
Castile Soap
Citrus Unspecified
Ceramides
Cicada
Chenopodium album
Chinese Cabbage
Caratuberside
Chrysophanics
Diatomaceous Earth
Dwarf lilyturf
Emulsion
Eclipta
Echinacea angustifolia
Ethanol
European Golden Rod
Fang-Feng
Flat-stem milk-vetch
Fruit (unspecified)
Fruit acid (mixed)
Five-Leaf Cassia
Fruit acid (unspecified)
fibroblast growth factor
Glycolic acid
gamma-terpinene
Galium (unspecified)
Gallotannin (unspecified)
Ginger oleoresin
Glycoprotein (unspecified)
Horn
Horn
Himalayan Fir
Heal-All
Homalomena
Hellebore (unspecified)
Henna
Horsemint
Indian Mustard
Isatis
Indian Redwood
Ignatius Bean
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Japanese Mint
Ledebouriella (unspecified)
Lipids (unspecified)
Lodhtree
Lingustilides
Lycopodium (unspecified)
Labrador Tea
Laptedenia
Ligusticum
Lewis's monkey flower
Mesua
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Mustard (unspecified)
Menthol
Moisture
Marigold (unspecified)
Mother of Pearl
Nux Vomica
Nucno Pichana
Nonionic surfactant (unspecified)
Natural flavor(s)
Naphthoquinone (unspecified)
oregano
Oat Oil
Osmanthus
Oleoresin (unspecified)
Origanum (unspecified)
orange pigment
Pussy Ears
Pine
Paris polyphylla
Peucedanum
Prickly Ash (Unspecified)
Prickly ash (mixed)
Plantain
Plantain (unspecifed)
Quisqualis
Red Sandalwood
Red root (unspecified)
Ricinoleic acid
Sophora flavescens
Siler
Southern Prickly Ash
Spilanthes
Sichuan Lovage
Sichuan Fritillary
Savory (unspecified)
Smartweed
Solanaceae (unspecified)
Salicylate (unspecified)
Silicon
Stabilizers
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sagebrush (unspecified)
Salicylic Acid
Silver
Sage-leaf alangium
Sicilian Sumac
Scordinin
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Spanish Thyme
Scabrous Gentian
Shiny-Leaf Prickly Ash
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Silicon
Sulfur
Silicic Acid
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Sulfur compounds (unspecified)
Sulphur
Sweet Orange alcohol
Terpenoids
Tea (unspecified)
Terpene
Tea (mixed)
Tissue (unspecified)
Thymus
Tea (not specified)
Tea Tree
Type-A Polymers
Terpene (unspecified)
Tallow
Tea Tree Oil
Thymus satureioides
Vitamin B5
Vietnamese sophora
Violet (unspecified)
Viola (unspecified)
Vitricin
Vodka
White thyme
Worm
Wild Bergamot
Wulinshen
White Hellebore
Wood Betony
Wool
Winter Savory
Yuzu
Yellow Ginger
Zinc
Zinc
