Treatment Of Dandruff At Home

What Is Dandruff? 

Dandruff is the scaly skin of the scalp. It is an aesthetic problem that, when it affects us, also causes psychological discomfort and embarrassment. But most of all, it's a scalp disease that needs to be treated. Find out what causes the scalp to flake and find out about pharmacy and home remedies for getting rid of dandruff.

Dandruff on the head is manifested by itchy skin and peeling of the white flakes of the epidermis that fall on the collar and shoulders. peeling of the epidermis in larger or smaller flakes with seborrhea accompanying this phenomenon.

 It is not a dangerous disease or contagious, but it is so troublesome that it is worth taking preventive measures as soon as we notice its first symptoms.

 Usually, dandruff is helped by a shampoo, which you can buy at a regular drugstore or better, with medicinal ingredients such as zinc, salicylic acid, ketoconazole, available at a pharmacy without a prescription. However, in more serious cases, a consultation with a dermatologist may be necessary.

Specialized shampoos, therapeutic masks, hairdresser treatments, mesotherapy, and hormonal treatment at a dermatologist. Here's a suggestion for you if you want to deal with dandruff once and for all. Learn about the causes of dandruff and ways to deal with dandruff.

The causes of dandruff

It turns out that hormones rule us here too. This applies to the scalp as much as it does to the skin of the face or other parts of the body. Hormonal imbalances are manifested by oily skin, seborrhea, and dandruff, or excessive dryness of the skin and hair. In this confusion, estrogens have the most to say, influencing the production of proteins that keep the skin soft and well moisturized.

 It is best to observe it by noting how our skin, including the scalp, reacts in particular phases of the cycle. In the first phase, the complexion is relatively clean and the hair is better arranged. On the other hand, when the estrogen level drops, normal and combination skin becomes excessively oily, and dry it itches, becomes chapped, and peels off.

If your scalp is constantly greasy, no matter what phase of your cycle, androgens may be to blame. Here, too, an endocrinologist will help you. A hormonal treatment that regulates skin problems lasts several months. Sometimes it is worth combining the treatment with contraception by reaching for Jeanine or Diane 35 pills, especially when the level of androgens is high. But even this is not enough.

How does dandruff arise?

It is now believed that the possible causes of dandruff are a yeast fungus called Malassezia furfur (also called Pityrosporum ovale). Each of us probably already has them on our scalp. Usually, this fungus does not cause any problems, but at certain points, it gets out of hand. His food is the secretion of the sebaceous glands.

 Overgrowth of yeast irritates the skin and stimulates more cells to grow than usual. These cells then die, stick together and with oily secretions, and fall off in larger clusters, which can be seen as dandruff.

It is not known exactly what stimulates the overgrowth of Malassezia. It is believed that hormonal disorders, stress, acute illness, or hypersensitivity to yeasts which are harmful in this case.

What directly causes dandruff?

• Seemingly, the causes of dandruff are unknown. However, the most common causes of dandruff are scalp irritation by shampoos, gels, hair mousses, varnishes, paints, etc. Sometimes the cause of irritation is the water itself, for example, with a lot of chlorine. 
• Inflamed skin becomes more sensitive than healthy skin, which is why it happens that despite not using the "suspicious" care agent - we do not notice any improvement.
• The causes of mild dandruff - it may well be just dry air, e.g. in overheated apartments, or too rarely washing the head. However, washing too often or using too many hair care products for advanced dandruff can also be harmful as it irritates the scalp. Sometimes, too, we may just be allergic to one of the cosmetics we use. Then dandruff is a symptom of the so-called contact dermatitis
• Dandruff can be a side effect of another, more serious, condition. This is the case, for example, in seborrheic dermatitis. The epidermis is then oily and red, covered with white or yellow scales. This disease occurs not only on the head but also in other areas with sebaceous glands, such as the eyebrows, nose, ears, and groin.

Sebum with mushrooms

The scalp with an oily tendency produces more sebum (sebum) secreted by the sebaceous glands to protect the skin from harmful substances. However, if there is an excess of sebum (sebum), fatty acids form on the skin's surface, causing the skin to peel off small patches.

 The aforementioned yeast Malassezia furfur fungus (also called Pityrosporum ovale) multiplies on the scalp, irritating the scalp and aggravating inflammation and symptoms of dandruff.

Some experts believe that this fungus normally lives on the scalp, just as some bacteria normally live on our skin. It is only some other, additional irritant that makes these fungi harmful and an additional pathogen.

Washing your hair every day "dissolves" excess sebum (sebum), and the accompanying massage improves the blood supply to the skin. Better blood supply and oxygenation of the skin is also better moisturized, which reduces the activity of the sebaceous glands. In the morning, the hair is fresh and fluffy.

 However, if you use varnishes, gels, or gloss oils, you should also wash your head in the evening. Cosmetics residues on the skin can irritate it. Not to mention the unsightly stains on the pillow, or the scent that is not very romantic. If you choose shampoos and conditioners correctly, your hair will not fall off!

If you have problems of this kind, give up long hair - it can be kept in great shape but it is expensive (the prices of conditioners are deterrent!). It is easier to maintain hygiene for medium-long or short hair and to hide the unpleasant ailment of oily and flaky skin.

 It is also easier to use treatments or apply masks. Also, if you are concerned about skin dryness, you can always reach for tonics and conditioning lotions that restore the skin's natural, slightly acidic reaction. Thanks to them, the skin is not irritated or dry.

Predisposition to dandruff

This condition can affect any of us, but the risk factors are age (from adolescence to around 40 years of age), gender (mainly men), oily skin, and oily hair.

Types of dandruff - check what dandruff you have

Any excessive flaking of the scalp epidermis is commonly called dandruff. From a medical point of view, the definition of this condition is similar - except that this exfoliation is not accompanied by inflammation. There are two types of true dandruff:

•  regular (dry) 
•  oily (seborrheic) dandruff.

1-DRY DANDRUFF (PLAIN)

But what if your skin is dry and dandruff is your old friend? This indicates an abnormality in the structure of the epidermis. It exfoliates because it lacks sealing proteins - it's a bit like peeling skin on the face. Dry dandruff may also indicate the so-called cosmetic dandruff caused by the selection of inappropriate cosmetics. 

In this case, you should abandon the shampoos used so far and choose ones that are rich in soothing substances. In this case, anti-dandruff agents are useless. If, despite a few changes in cosmetics for scalp and hair care, there are no visible results, you should visit a dermatologist. The disease usually affects people under the age of 20 and can later develop into greasy dandruff. Dandruff does not damage your hair.

The same name is given to the changes in smooth skin - plain dandruff. The disease is frequent, usually affecting children, and is most likely contagious. Most often it is located on the face, taking the form of whitish, round fires (as if covered with flour). It is not accompanied by any inflammatory symptoms or other ailments.

 Antibiotic ointments are usually used in the treatment of ordinary smooth skin dandruff, and most often it is a treatment sufficient to eliminate the symptoms of the disease.

2-Oily dandruff (seborrhea)

Seborrheic dandruff usually develops from dandruff. Causes of seborrheic dandruff: instead of small, dry and white scales, greasy, yellow, layered scales appear that form even scabs. They are more firmly attached to the ground. The disease may be accompanied by itching.

 Often the consequence of this type of dandruff is seborrheic alopecia. The disease usually affects people over the age of 20 and is more common in men than in women.

Advanced seborrhoeic dandruff is seborrheic dermatitis that generally occurs in people with seborrhea. Malassezia furfur (also called Pityrosporum ovale) may also play a role in this disease. They are distinguished from oily dandruff by the presence of increased inflammation. In addition to seborrhea, oily scabs and thinning hair, skin erythema, numerous papules, pimples, and exudative symptoms can be observed. 

The lesions are accompanied by itching, and pustular eruptions (usually occurring as a result of secondary bacterial infection) is even painful. Rarely, changes only affect the scalp. They also generally appear as erythema and peeling on the skin of the forehead, behind the ear, and on the nape of the neck.

 They can also appear in the interscapular area, i.e. on the chest near the sternum, as well as on the face, genital area, and anus. These are the so-called seborrheic areas. In severe, rare forms, the disease can turn into generalized dermatitis.

NOTE:

                    Tinea dandruff

Tinea of ​​the scalp - depending on its type - may resemble ordinary or oily dandruff. Tinea scuffing superficial or small-spore superficial scalp may be similar to dandruff. Oily dandruff can be similar to some types of ringworm. It should be emphasized that mycoses are always affected by pathological hair. They become gray or whitish, dull (depending on the type of mycosis), break close to the skin, or slightly above. The mycosis practically never covers the entire scalp (basins), its focuses are usually delimited and round. In case of any doubts, it is decisive to test both the hair and scales of the scalp epidermis for the presence of fungi.

 Causes of Tinea versicolor:  

                                                           Yeast infection, i.e. uncontrolled reproduction of Malassezia furfur (also called Pityrosporum ovale).

Scalp diseases similar to dandruff...

Pseudotinea amiantacea is a disease similar to dandruff. It is not ringworm and its cause is unknown. It is believed to be caused by disorders of epidermal keratinization. The changes are located on the scalp.
 They have the form of accumulated, thick, white-gray scales resembling asbestos. These scales adhere tightly to the surface, but they do not cause inflammation, atrophy, or scarring of the skin, and do not cause increased hair loss and do not cause any ailments. Psoriasis usually affects many parts of the body simultaneously. It happens, however, that its symptoms are located only on the scalp.

In these cases, the disease looks analogous to greasy dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis in the non-pustular and exudative stage. To diagnose the disease, it is first of all necessary to very carefully examine the patient to find at least single changes on the smooth skin or on the nails (psoriasis often affects the nail plates).

 A detailed conversation between the doctor and the patient is also necessary, as the disease often runs in families). The diagnosis can also be based on a histopathological examination of a skin section.

Facts and myths about dandruff

DANDRUFF IS A PEELING SKIN - TRUE

Healthy skin alternately exfoliates and then renews itself. The top layers of the epidermis divide intensively, die and fall off. This epidermal cell life cycle is approximately 28 days and affects the entire skin, including the scalp. When the regeneration process is disrupted for some reason, cells die faster and are removed faster. Then they fall off in larger clusters. Visible white flakes or scales that fall off the scalp and settle on the hair are called dandruff.

EVERY SCALD APPEARING ON THE HAIR IS DANDRUFF - NOT TRUE

Colloquially, dandruff is an excessive flaking of the scalp. However, each dermatologist will supplement this definition with the reservation that skin lesions cannot be accompanied by inflammation. However, other skin diseases are often identified with dandruff: psoriasis, mycosis, pseudotinea amiantacea (the disease has no equivalent in Polish) and seborrheic dermatitis - all of them give symptoms similar to dandruff.

Diagnosis of the disease we are dealing with can only be made by a dermatologist, based on his own knowledge, experience and possibly test results.

Treatments for dandruff-Get Rid of Dandruff

 Wash your hair daily

And even more often! Especially if you use polishes, varnishes, gels, etc., you should wash your hair even twice a day. Do not fall under the superstition that frequent washing causes hair loss and damage. Nothing like this will happen if you carefully analyze your problem and look around on the shampoo and conditioner shelf. Try to consult a hairdresser about what to choose.

 Today, the appearance of the hair is very important: it should be shiny (not from sebum!), Fluffy (it does not mean - spiked with the gel), and fragrant (not necessarily "natural" - greasy hair just stinks!). First of all, remove the smallest traces of dandruff adhering to the hair in the form of the sebum-soaked epidermis or a generously sprinkled collar.

Home remedies for dandruff: You can also choose an anti-dandruff shampoo yourself. They contain compounds: zinc pyritonate, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, or also tar or ketoconazole. 

If one shampoo has worked, but the dandruff returns over time, a different group of shampoo may be used, e.g. alternating between zinc and ketoconazole. If this also does not work, contact a dermatologist.

Also, it is worth fighting the extra-cutaneous causes of dandruff: fight stress, watch out for hair products and eat healthily.

The good old ways for Treatment of dandruff: Rinses

The good old ways to deal with dandruff is to get your skin's pH back. After using shampoos, it is done by rinsing the head in acidic water, e.g. with the addition of wine or spirit vinegar. You can also buy rinses in the salons. An additional benefit is also the hair, the acid bath closes and seals the hair cuticles, which makes them shine beautifully and crumble less.

Ways for the Treatment of Dandruff - Treatment at the hairdresser

In the first phase of the anti-dandruff battle, decide on treatments to improve the condition of your skin in a hairdressing salon. This usually involves a series of two or three visits a week in the first month. For the treatment, hairdressers suggest purchasing cosmetics for everyday use that will support the treatment. The cost of one treatment is PLN 100-200, depending on the salon and the preparations used. Benefit - significant improvement in the condition of the scalp and alleviation/disappearance of dandruff problems.

 If you do not have the funds for this purpose, reach for special treatments, i.e. intensive cosmetics - their task is to cleanse the scalp, disinfect and strengthen it. These include anti-dandruff ampoules (Seboradin Lotion Inter-Fragrance, Strengthening Tonic from the Rzepa Joanna series, Radical Farmony conditioner or Triphasic Rene Furterer), and clay masks that absorb excess sebum and normalize the work of sebaceous glands.

Ways for dry dandruff Treatment - Dandruff Treatment

Only external medications are used to treat dandruff. Of course, the type and strength of the recommended preparations depend on the severity of the disease.

In advanced ordinary dandruff, the first step is to remove the excessive amount of scales. The easiest way to deal with dandruff is to use salicylic oil. This preparation can be purchased ready-made in a pharmacy as Salicylol (it is 5% salicylic olive).

Olive oil works best if it is slightly heated before applying it to the head. After applying it, cover your head with foil and wrap it with a towel, and then wash it off after a few (2 - 4) hours. Unlike ointments, the olive is usually easy to wash off.

Sometimes an exfoliating preparation alone is enough to cure this type of dandruff. Usually, however, we recommend a steroid preparation for a short period (7-14 days), preferably (due to the convenience of use and good cosmetic effect) in a liquid. It can be Laticort or Linden (older generation drugs, less and less used nowadays), Elocom, Locoid, or, if necessary, more powerful Diprosalic or Dermovate.

Of course, you need to change your hair care products. If possible, put aside gels, foams, varnishes, and paints. For washing the head, it is advisable to try one of the anti-dandruff shampoos (e.g. from the Freederm series).

Ways for the Treatment of oily dandruff - Treatment of Seborrheic Dandruff

In oily dandruff, the accumulated scales should be removed, similarly to the regular variety, with salicylic oil. If the changes are severe, exfoliation can be carried out for several days. Currently, in oily dandruff, it is recommended to use antifungal preparations, preferably in a liquid or ointment. The so-called imidazole derivatives (Nizoral, Ketoconazole, Canesten). The use of Nizoral or Seboklar shampoo gives good results.

Of course, these preparations are not always effective in all cases of oily dandruff. So you can try steroid preparations. Of the other medicated shampoos, tar shampoos (eg Freederm Tar, Polytar, Denorex) are recommended. They can be used for a long time. The unpleasant smell of the shampoo after rinsing thoroughly is imperceptible on the hair. Some people benefit from using a selenium sulfide shampoo (Selsun).

Currently, specially prepared preparations containing anti-seborrhoeic agents and reducing agents: sulfur, resorcinol, tar are rarely used, although they are as effective as modern agents. They have been replaced by ready-made preparations that are easier and more convenient to use.

 In the treatment of dandruff, which likes to recur and does not always cure quickly, we strive to eliminate the symptoms of the disease and “adjust” a scalp wash that will maintain this condition. Once you find such a shampoo, it is recommended to use it until it becomes effective.

Treatment of Dandruff (Suggestion by Dermatologist)

The tendency to oily skin can be part of your beauty and you have to accept it. With a tendency, not with dandruff, of course. Don't be under the illusion that one treatment or the other will solve your problems. Just like in the case of skin problems, adjust regular care and cosmetics to your needs, and keep on trying.

However, when treatments and specialized cosmetics do not help at all, you do not know the cause of dandruff, the skin itches, peels and infections or hair loss appear, go to a dermatologist - problems with dandruff can be a symptom of serious diseases that require pharmacological treatment.

• Improving the functioning of the scalp, its regeneration rate, and proper nourishment can be achieved by mesotherapy, i.e. introducing nutritious vitamin cocktails under the skin. This is done either by the traditional method (injecting the fluid with a syringe) or by the needleless method. However, before that, you need to heal the infection and reduce dandruff. However, mesotherapy does not bring immediate results, you have to wait a few months for them. The cost of the treatment, depending on the area, is about PLN 200-500.
• Psoriasis usually affects the skin of the entire body, not just the head. In situations where the disease is located only on the scalp, its symptoms may resemble greasy dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. This will include itching, whitish or yellowish scales, dry or oily scalp. For proper diagnosis, it may also be necessary to perform a histopathological examination of the skin section.
• We can also see scales similar to dandruff in ringworm, but this disease always significantly changes the appearance of the hair, which becomes gray, dull, and brittle, not on the tips, but also above the skin. Pseudotinea amiantacea manifests itself in the presence of stacked whitish-gray scales that stick to the scalp and never cause inflammation or increased hair loss.
• With seborrheic dandruff, remove scales that accumulate on the skin - true. In the case of severe seborrheic dandruff, the scales remaining near the scalp are removed to allow the drug to penetrate the scalp. For this, doctors prescribe a 5% salicylic olive, which is applied to the scalp. The head is then wrapped with a towel (to keep warm) and kept there for about two hours.
• Among the factors considered to be the causes of dandruff, doctors mention improper diet (e.g. lack of vitamin F), poor hair care (e.g. washing with shampoo containing strong detergents), stress, fatigue, hormone disorders.