Common Causes of Dandruff
The symptoms are easy to spot; flaky skin on your head, itchy scalp, and white flakes around your shoulders. Let’s now look at what causes dandruff so you can prevent this condition in the future.
Dandruff is a common condition that affects the scalp and produces white flakes of dead skin along with itchiness.
The condition is not contagious and usually does not require any professional medical assistance.
Dandruff can be caused by a variety of environmental and health factors including age, diet, skin disorders, and climate or temperature.
Dry skin is a common cause for dandruff and the incidence of dry skin increases in colder climates during the winter when skin is exposed to frigid temperatures outdoors and heated rooms inside.
When dry skin is the central reason for dandruff, individuals are likely to also experience dry skin on other areas of the body including the hands and legs.
Skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema also contribute to the development of dandruff.
Psoriasis results in a buildup of dead skin and forms thick scales while eczema is identifiable by chronic skin irritation, rashes and scales.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a repeated factor in dandruff as it refers to oily skin marked by white or yellow scales which consistently flake off onto skin and clothing.
Given the environmental and physical conditions which lead to the development of dandruff, it is essential to realize that factors including proper hair care and diet are also to blame at times.
Individuals who do not thoroughly or frequently wash their hair risk building up oil and skin cells on their scalp, a situation which is easily remedied by engaging in more consistent and careful manners of washing hair.
Other factors contributing to this disorder are emotional tension, using harsh shampoos, exposure to cold, and general stress or exhaustion.
Diet Deficiencies That May Cause Dandruff
In addition, it is commonly believed that diets low in zinc, vitamins B and certain fats increase the risk of having dandruff.
Anyone experiencing a mild case of dandruff may initially consider enacting dietary changes and beginning a regular hair cleansing routine with a gentle shampoo.
Controlling dandruff and its noticeable flakes is possible with the numerous over-the-counter shampoos currently available or several effective home remedies for dandruff that are easy to use.