What is dandruff? The 4 most common causes of dandruff and tips on how to get rid of dandruff

What is dandruff?

Dandruff is a common problem that many people experience and it can be difficult to know what the cause is and how to get rid of it. In this article, we go through the 4 most common causes of dandruff - dry scalp, fungal infection, psoriasis, and seborrheic eczema. You will also get practical tips for getting rid of dandruff. Let's get started!

What is dandruff?

Dandruff is an extremely common skin problem most often associated with small white flakes on the scalp. Dandruff can also look yellowish or grayish and collect in the hair or fall on the shoulders. There are many different causes of dandruff and in addition to irritated scalp and flakes of skin collecting in the hair or on the shoulders, dandruff can also cause your hair to become lifeless.

Why do you get dandruff?

Dandruff caused by dry scalp: Dandruff caused by dry scalp will usually look like small white flakes that can come off when you run your fingers through your hair. Additionally, in cases of dandruff due to dry scalp, the itching and flaking can get worse during the winter months when there is less moisture in the air. If you have these symptoms and are not experiencing any redness or inflammation of the scalp, this may indicate that it is a case of dandruff caused by dry skin rather than fungus. If you think your dandruff problems could be caused by dry scalp, read more about our top tips for treating dry scalp.

Dandruff caused by fungal infections: Fungal infections of the scalp can also cause dandruff due to increased cellular waste from the irritated area.

If the dandruff is accompanied by an itchy, red scalp and greasy patches of skin or scales, it may be caused by a fungal infection. Fungal infections are often difficult to identify on their own but can be confirmed by a scalp scratch test performed by a dermatologist. Other signs that point to a fungal infection include the presence of yellow-white flakes on the scalp, hair loss in circular patches, scaling around the ears or neck, and itching that gets worse with scratching.

Is it dandruff or psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes skin cells to reproduce rapidly, resulting in the shedding of dead skin cells faster than usual.

If your dandruff appears suddenly and in patches instead of just spreading on the scalp, or if you have other signs of psoriasis such as redness, itching and scaling on other parts of your body (such as elbows or knees), it is likely that psoriasis may be causing the dandruff.

Is it dandruff or seborrheic eczema?

Seborrheic eczema is an inflammatory condition that irritates the skin and disrupts its normal turnover cycle, resulting in excess scaling. In all cases, the right treatment for dandruff must be established to reduce symptoms and promote healthy hair growth.

Dandruff caused by seborrheic eczema is generally characterized by red, scaly patches of skin on the scalp, accompanied by greasy or dry flakes. It can also include other parts of the body such as the eyebrows, folds behind the ears and around the nose and mouth, chest and upper back. Other symptoms may include itching, burning on the affected area(s), tenderness of the scalp/skin when scratched. In comparison to a fungal infection which usually results in flaky white or yellowish scaling of the scalp (without signs of inflammation), seborrheic eczema is more likely to be accompanied by redness and irritation.

How to get rid of dandruff?

There are many ways to treat and prevent dry scalp. Here are 6 of our top tips:

1. Get rid of dandruff with sulfate-free shampoo: You need a shampoo that is moisturizing and repairing. Avoid at all costs shampoos that contain chemicals such as sulfates, cyclic silicones and parabens as these will only dry out your hair further. Instead, choose a mild shampoo like Caring Shampoos with natural ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, avocado oil and Piroctone Olamine which has a soothing effect on the scalp.

2. Wash your hair at most 2-3 times a week: There is a myth that you should wash your hair every day to keep it healthy and clean it from dirt and grease. In fact, it is actually better to wash your hair at most 2-3 times a week. This is especially true if you have dry and damaged hair. If you wash your hair too often, it will become dry and lifeless.

3. Use a moisturizing conditioner after every wash: While shampoo should not be used more than 2-3 times a week, you can actually use our Caring Conditioner on your hair every day to moisturize it and keep it healthy. The conditioner takes care of the dry and damaged areas of your hair, making it soft and easier to detangle. Also remember that you should never shampoo your hair without conditioner afterwards, as this can make it even more dry and damaged.

4. Drink enough water: Dry scalp is basically caused by a lack of moisture in the scalp. Therefore, be careful to drink enough water. An adult person needs about 1.5 - 2 liters of water per day.

5. Add a hair mask to your weekly routine: A moisturizing hair mask like ours? Caring Hair Mask is a perfect way to moisturize your hair. A hair mask with moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, hyaluronic acid and avocado oil makes your hair softer, shinier and more elastic. Apply the mask 1-2 times a week or more often if your hair feels dry and lifeless.

6. Protect your hair when heat styling: Most of us occasionally use heat tools to style our hair in some way, and it's not always easy to do it gently. High heat is very damaging to your hair, so it is important that you protect your hair from damage. Always use some type of heat protection spray or cream like our Nourishing Heat Protection before using heat to style your hair.

FAQ

Q: How to get rid of dandruff caused by a fungal infection?
A: If you think your problems are caused by a fungal infection, you can read more about treatments for dandruff caused by fungal infections here.

Q: How to get rid of dandruff caused by psoriasis?
A: If you suspect that psoriasis is the cause of your dandruff problems, the only way to know for sure is to visit a doctor who can help make an accurate diagnosis so that they can provide appropriate treatment options.

Q: How to get rid of dandruff caused by seborrheic eczema?
A: If you suspect that you have a problem with seborrheic eczema, you can read more about this common problem and get advice in this article on seborrheic eczema.