Severe Dandruff

Dandruff is one of the most common scalp problems, which is characterized by skin flaking and scalp itching. The skin cells of the scalp like other cells of the body die after a period and then sloughed off and replaced by new cells, which is a normal phenomenon. Therefore, a small amount of white flakes or dead skin cells on the scalp is not abnormal. But, excessive skin flaking is not normal and can be experienced by certain individuals due to some factors, which can accelerate the rate of cell turnover on the scalp. This results in severe case of dandruff, which becomes visible as a large amount of white flakes of dead skin cells on the scalp, along with itching and irritation.

Excessive Dandruff
Excessive shedding of skin cells or dandruff can be triggered by a number of factors, out of which the most common ones are, skin dryness, oily skin or overactive sebaceous glands, frequent exposure to extreme cold and heat, sensitivity to certain hair care products, not keeping the scalp clean, hormonal imbalance, poor diet, stress and cold weather. Moreover, certain individuals can have a genetic predisposition to this condition. Another important factor can be an overgrowth of the fungus, malassezia on the scalp. Though, this fungus is found on the scalp of almost every individual, its overgrowth can manifest in dandruff. But, what exactly causes the excessive growth of this yeast like fungus have not been ascertained till now.

Sometimes, it can have an association with certain skin conditions like, scalp eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and plaque psoriasis. Seborrheic dermatitis is the condition, where one can find greasy scales on the scalp, and oily and yellow colored skin flakes. The condition is more common in individuals with a suppressed immune system or some underlying chronic disease. Plaque psoriasis on the other hand, can stimulate an over production of skin cells and hence, build up of scaly plaques on the scalp, that closely resemble dandruff. Scalp eczema is more commonly found in infants and is commonly referred as cradle crap. This condition is characterized by the appearance of yellow, dry flakes on the scalp and severe itching.

Treatment for Dandruff
Most often, dandruff is controlled or managed with the help of medicated and over the counter anti-dandruff shampoos. Such shampoos usually contain ingredients like, salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide and ketoconazole. Such active ingredients help to control skin flaking, by removing the dead skin cells, and controlling the rate at which new cells are generated. They also help to control the population of fungus and bacteria on the scalp. If such anti-dandruff shampoos fail to contain the problem, then a visit to a dermatologist can become imperative. A dermatologist usually prescribes topical creams such as, steroid creams for a severe case of dandruff. Steroid creams can help to treat the scaling, skin flaking, as well as severe itching associated with dandruff. But, long-term use of steroid can cause side effects like, thinning the skin of the scalp, and so, should be used only under the supervision of a dermatologist.

Home Remedies for Dandruff
The natural or home remedies usually take some time to alleviate this condition. But, with regular application they can prove immensely helpful to control the problem, and that is also without being harsh on your scalp.

• Give your hair and scalp hot oil treatment, prior to shampooing. Warm some coconut or almond oil and massage the scalp with your fingers, just before going to the bed. Next day, rub some lime juice on the scalp, a few minutes before washing your hair with a mild shampoo. Do not use harsh shampoo, which can dry out the scalp and hair, and aggravate this problem.
• Lemon or lime is an amazing natural remedy which you can either rub on the scalp before shampooing your hair, as mentioned already, or use about a teaspoon as a last rinse, while washing your hair.
• Soak some fenugreek seeds in water for the whole night, and then grind them to make a fine paste. Apply the paste thoroughly on the scalp and leave for about half an hour, after which rinse it off with cold water.
• You can also use apple cider vinegar or any other cider vinegar. Just mix a small amount of cider vinegar to the water to be used as a final rinse. This would help to restore the normal pH of the scalp, and also to unclog the skin pores and destroy the scalp bacteria.
• Gently apply aloe vera gel to the scalp and leave it for a few hours. Then rinse it off with clean water to reduce dandruff and to get healthy hair.
• Tea tree oil, which is known to have antifungal properties, is another excellent remedy. Use this oil like any other hair oil to massage your scalp, and then leave it for a few hours, before washing your hair.
• Massage the scalp with yogurt for about 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse it off with cold water. Otherwise, you can mix some yogurt with green gram powder and apply the paste on your scalp and hair.

At the same time, always keep in mind not to use hot water for washing your hair. Also, do not forget to follow a healthy or balanced diet, and get some sun exposure for a few minutes everyday. Sunlight has anti-inflammatory effect, which can help to reduce scaly skin conditions like dandruff. But if your problem seems to be quite serious and is not responding to any of the natural remedies and anti-dandruff shampoos, then it is better to visit a dermatologist and evaluate the condition properly.