Dandruff is a disorder of the scalp that appears as flaking more or less abundant and visible in the area of ​​the hair roots. Caused by a fungus, it can worsen in the event of stress or poor nutrition . Let's find out how to cure it.

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Description of dandruff

In addition to being annoying from an aesthetic point of view, dandruff can usually be accompanied by itching of the epidermis.

Being linked to the production of sebum, dandruff can appear from adolescence and up to forty years of age, it mainly affects men but also occurs in women; much more rarely it is observed in the elderly and in children, due to the scarce or absent production of sebum.

If the disorder is mild, dandruff can be treated effectively with shampoos, lotions and natural treatments.

Causes of dandruff

Dead cells that detach from the scalp generate whitish scales known as dandruff. Their fall is due to a too rapid replacement of epithelial cells of the scalp. The main cause of this disorder is the proliferation of Malassezia furfur on the scalp, a fungus that feeds on sebum causing a faster cell turnover: in men dandruff is more frequent precisely because the male sex produces greater quantities of sebum, a due to higher testosterone levels.

The problem can then worsen in the event of stress, poor nutrition, excessive sebum production or, on the contrary, greater scalp dryness or the use of cosmetic products unsuitable for your skin type.

Dandruff can be dry, with dehydrated scales, or oily, with yellowish and oily scales, typical of seborrheic dermatitis: in any case, if the problem is not temporary and transient, it must be controlled through the use of specific anti-dandruff products.

Dandruff is accompanied by seborrhea, discover all the remedies

Dry dandruff and oily dandruff

There are basically two types of forforces : dry and oily dandruff.

Dry dandruff shows small dehydrated and light scales that settle on clothes. It is generally caused by too rapid cell replacement of epithelial cells in the scalp.

Dry dandruff can be present in those suffering from psoriasis or eczema, and in this case it is accompanied by itching and irritation of the skin: scratching, the problem gets worse as more scales come off. Except in the case of eczema and psoriasis, although it is an anti-aesthetic disorder, dry dandruff does not cause itching and irritation.

Dry dandruff tends to improve during the warm months and to get worse in winter or during periods of high stress.

On the other hand, oily dandruff has larger, yellowish and oily-looking scales that remain on the skin and do not fall on the clothes. Often those with greasy dandruff tend to have greasy hair and may suffer from seborrheic dermatitis, an inflammation of the skin.

In this case, oily dandruff is accompanied by itching, irritation and redness of the skin especially in the area of ​​the hairline.

Natural remedies against dandruff

To solve the problem of dandruff, it is first of all necessary to take care of nutrition, preferring a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and improving the lifestyle in general, trying to reduce stress.

From the cosmetic point of view, it is advisable to clean the hair every day using a mild shampoo that removes excess sebum and dead cells, improving the problem of dandruff. In addition to shampooing, you can use lotions to rub on dry or wet hair every other day.

Phytotherapeutic products useful in the treatment against dandruff generally contain extracts of nettle, burdock, rosemary and sage .

Among the most effective essential oils to combat dandruff we find instead the essential oil of Tea tree, with fungicidal and antibacterial properties, and the essential oils of eucalyptus, lemon and sage, disinfectants and astringents.

In the treatment of dandruff, Neem oil and apple vinegar are useful.

Cosmetic treatments to avoid are the fixing products (gels, lacquers, foams) since these can irritate the scalp and increase the production of sebum, increasing the production of dandruff.

In the event that dandruff does not improve within one or two months, it is advisable to request an opinion from the dermatologist who will investigate the causes and prescribe the use of shampoos and lotions with active ingredients that have an effect against excessive production of sebum and with antifungal action, such as selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithone and ketoconazole.