An itchy, flaky, and irritated scalp can be annoying and embarrassing. In most cases, dandruff can be treated easily with a few home remedies. Listed below are some of the causes and dandruff treatment options that you can try.

Causes and dandruff treatment

• Causes – The exact cause of dandruff is not known; however, experts have stated that it could be linked to hormone production as it most often starts at puberty. A few factors that can cause dandruff are as follows.
  • Skin conditions – Individuals with seborrheic dermatitis have oily and irritated skin. This condition could result in dandruff as it has been linked to a fungus that is found on the scalp. This fungus feeds on the oils produced by hair follicles that could cause the scalp to become irritated and produce excess skin cells resulting in an itchy, flaky scalp. Also, conditions such as psoriasis or eczema can cause dandruff.
  • Insufficient hair brushing – Combing or brushing the hair helps remove or shed dead skin. Hence, not combing or brushing the hair could result in dandruff.
  • Dry skin – People with dry skin are more prone to dandruff, especially during the winter. Cold air and heated rooms lack moisture that causes the skin to become dry and itchy. When dandruff is caused due to dryness, the flakes are non-oily and small.
  • Haircare products – Certain hair care products such as shampoos or gels could contain harmful chemicals and ingredients that irritate the scalp. This could result in an itchy scalp. However, in some cases, not washing your hair and scalp enough or properly could result in the accumulation of dead skin cells and oils that can cause dandruff.
• Treatment – In this discussion on the causes and dandruff treatment options, read on to know a few simple treatment measures.
  • Home remedies – Simple and easy home remedies such as managing stress, eating a balanced diet, using hair care products with little or no harmful chemicals, and washing and brushing your hair often should help prevent the occurrence of dandruff.
  • Shampoos – You can also try using over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoo. The ingredients to look for in these products are ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, coal tar, salicylic acid, and tea tree oil. These reduce the production of oil by the scalp and get rid of fungus and yeast that could be causing dandruff. Ensure that you follow the instructions on the label as some products might need to be left on for some time before being rinsed off.
  • Consult your doctor – If your dandruff persists after you have tried home remedies and OTC products, then you should consult your doctor to determine if it is being caused by an underlying health issue.

Now that you are aware of the causes and dandruff treatments, you can try to overcome your condition easily.