Causes of dandruff

Some of the more common symptoms of dandruff include: • Flakes appearing on your scalp, eyebrows, hair, mustache, beard, or shoulders • Itching in the scalp • The appearance of a scaly crusty scalp in babies, known as cradle cap The white flakes from dandruff may end up on your forehead, show up in your hair, or appear on your clothing. While it can be a source of some embarrassment, there are typically no significant health impacts tied directly to dandruff. However, some of the symptoms of dandruff are also present in other scalp conditions like: • Scalp Psoriasis — Scalp psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) skin condition that causes people to experience flaking, • Eczema — People with eczema of the scalp typically experience a red, itchy scaly rash that produces flakes similar to dandruff. The leading cause is a variation in a person’s genes that inhibits the skin’s ability to protect against bacteria, Causes of Dandruff There are a variety of reasons that you might end up with dandruff. Some of the most common causes of dandruff include: • Irritated and oily skin • Not shampooing often enough • The presence of a yeast-like fungus called malassezia that likes to feed on scalp oils in most adults • Dryness of the scalp • Poor hygiene is not a cause of damage, though not washing your hair as often can make the condition more visible. You may be more susceptible to dandruff because of one or more of the following factors: • Your age — Dandruff typically strikes people wh...

Dry, flaky skin on your scalp can be uncomfortable. Those flakes can be caused by dandruff or psoriasis, which are two very different conditions: • Dandruff (also known as seborrhea) can usually be treated relatively easily and is seldom a serious medical problem. • Psoriasis, on the other hand, is a chronic condition without a current cure. It can cause a great deal of discomfort. Dandruff is usually due to the body’s overreaction to the presence of typical yeast on the skin. This inflammation leads to the overproduction of skin cells, leading to flaking. If this is the cause, the flakes are typically small and you may also have dry skin on other parts of your body. Washing your hair with a harsh shampoo or using a lot of chemicals on your hair can sometimes irritate your scalp and lead to flakes. A fairly common condition called seborrheic dermatitis is the cause of many dandruff cases. Experts consider it a type of eczema that affects areas of the skin with oil-producing sebaceous glands. It’s characterized by patches of red and oily skin that leave yellowish flakes on the scalp. These flakes are often larger than the dandruff flakes that can arise from dry skin. Seborrheic dermatitis can also cause flaky, irritated patches elsewhere on your face and body, which may lead you to think you have psoriasis. • • curved or petal-like lesions along the hairline • flaking or hypopigmentation on the scalp in infants Unlike dandruff, This attack causes skin cell production to spe...

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Many conditions can cause an itchy scalp ―from dandruff to ringworm or something more serious like a bacterial infection or autoimmune condition. Before you can stop the itch, you need to find out what’s causing it. Here dermatologist 1. Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis These are the most common reasons for an itchy scalp. “Your body’s inflammatory response to an The fix:For mild cases, you can use an over-the-counter shampoo containing selenium or zinc pyrithione ―ingredients that help control yeast. For more serious cases, you may need a prescription-strength antifungal shampoo, topical cortisone or medicated foam, solution, cream or ointment. 2. Psoriasis This is a chronicautoimmune disease that causes raised, reddish, scaly patches on the skin or scalp. You can’t get The fix:Dr. Piliang recommends trying over-the-counter medicated shampoos containing coal tar or salicylic acid to control scalp psoriasis. If those don’t work, make an appointment with your dermatologist. They can prescribe stronger shampoos and topical cortisone. 3. Tinea capitis This is a fungal infection commonly known as The fix: If you have a “Since the organism exists deep in the hair follicle, you’ll need to take oral anti-fungal medications to resolve the problem,” says Dr. Piliang. Your doctor will verify that this is actually ...