Although dandruff is a common condition affecting human beings, little is known about the causes of dandruff and its relationship to diet, hormones, medication, environment, and personal hygiene. Dandruff is usually described as white flakes that fall from the hair and can be very irritating. The exact cause of dandruff is not known, but certain factors are known to trigger it. Stress, hormonal changes, bacterial infections, improper cleaning or shampooing, and improper use of medications can all contribute to the condition.
What causes dandruff is mainly not understood but the most common cause is a yeast infection on the skin or scalp. Yeast infections usually affect the scalp and can result in visible flakes or clumpy red patches on the skin. In extreme cases, it may also lead to bald spots. Excessive oil, such as that found in fatty creams and lotions, can also be a contributing factor to dandruff and is known to make the flakes more obvious. Dry scalp, however, is caused by a lack or inability of the body to produce or retain enough natural oil. For some people the issue can be related to a scalp condition that may then affect the growth of the hair. If you notice patches of thinning hair and visible scalp you might want to consider Scalp Micropigmentation from companies such as His Hair Clinic to help combat the look of this.
Other contributing factors include an allergic reaction to shampoo, hair products, or shampoos used to treat dry skin. Using products that contain alcohol can also result in dry scalp and dry flaky flakes. The main treatments for dandruff are to control the environment surrounding the scalp, restore moisture to the scalp and treat and relieve the condition as well as possible. Medications can include antihistamines and steroids for temporary relief.
