Overview
Dandruff presents itself with an itchy scalp and flaking skin, which may be particularly noticeable on dark hair or clothing. While dandruff can be embarrassing and mildly uncomfortable, it is rarely serious, notes the Mayo Clinic. Nonetheless, understanding how dandruff forms can help you both prevent and treat dandruff problems.
Identification
Dandruff flakes vary in color and size, depending on the quantity of sebum, an oil-like substance produced by hair follicles. Dry dandruff tends to be smaller and more white, whereas oily dandruff tends to have larger clumps and is yellow in hue, with a greater amount of sebum. Dandruff may occur on the face and in between the folds of the body, but it is most common on the scalp.
Dandruff and Skin Cells
The body is continuously producing and replacing skin cells, which travel from the deeper dermis skin layer to the outer epidermis of the skin to provide a top layer that is both strong and flexible. This journey usually takes two to four weeks, notes the Nemours Foundation, with 30,000 to 40,000 skin cells lost each minute. When the process of skin regeneration speeds up, excess skin builds up and sheds, leading to noticeable dandruff.
Dandruff Causes
According to the National Institutes of health, scalp dandruff may be due to an abundance of two naturally-occurring factors: sebum and malassezia, a yeast that eats the sebum. When the two substances are in balance, the scalp is lubricated without being oily, and the hair is shiny and has elasticity. When the yeast becomes overactive, the sebum is stripped, leading to an irritated and dry scalp that begins to shed damaged skin cells. The skin hastens cell regeneration, leading to an abundance of cells, perpetuating the shedding.
The yeast may proliferate due to hormonal changes, periods of high stress, immune problems, allergies or underlying skin conditions, notes the Mayo Clinic. Therapeutic shampoos and topical creams for dandruff may also induce additional skin sensitivities and irritation.
Dandruff Risk Factors
According to the Mayo Clinic, dandruff can occur at any age, but typically runs from young adulthood through middle age. Men have larger sebaceous glands on the scalp and thereby produce more sebum and may be more prone to more oily skin and dandruff. The National Institutes of Health warns that individuals with HIV complications and neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and stroke, may also be prone to developing dandruff.
Dandruff Treatments
Dandruff tends to improve with more frequent shampooing and during the summer months, notes the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Individuals may also seek out over-the-counter therapeutic dandruff shampoos, which contain ingredients such as selenium sulfide and zinc pyrithione. Individuals may also try avoiding hot water and hot air settings on hair dryers to reduce stress to an already-irritated scalp. Because product build-up can lead to scalp irritation and flaking, individuals experiencing dandruff may try minimizing hair-care and styling products. The website Health911.com also recommends eating foods low in sugar and yeast to limit the internal development of yeast, and eat more essential fatty acids, which help provide elasticity and moisture to the skin.
