Dandruff remedies

Photo: globalmoments/Getty Images/iStockphoto Regardless of the season, a flaky scalp can be a pesky problem. How do you get rid of dandruff? Below, some tips and tricks for how to address your head case — so that you can finally start wearing true black again. Dandruff is caused by a fungus called malassezia, according to Dr. Zenovia Gabriel of Zena Medical. Malassezia lives naturally on the skin for many people, but an overgrowth or imbalance of the fungus leads to dandruff. Our bodies are constantly shedding dead skin cells, but an increase in malassezia triggers the body to produce and shed skin cells faster and at a detrimental rate. Malassezia overgrowth can be caused by many things including age, hormones, or stress. Dr. Jessica Weiser of New York Dermatology Group explains that dandruff, which presents itself as white flakes, is a mild and common form of seborrheic dermatitis. You can get it behind the ears, eyebrows, or even in folds of the face. It can be red, flaky, itchy, or a combination of all those factors. (It’s different from psoriasis, which also can look like flakes — but those will appear like “thicker pink or red plaques” with “silver-white scales” on close examination. Go to a dermatologist if you aren’t sure.) Much like olive-oil bread, dandruff is created by the mixture of oil and yeast (the malassezia). We all have some yeast on our bodies, explains Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Department...

Overview Dandruff is a common condition that causes the skin on the scalp to flake. It isn't contagious or serious. But it can be embarrassing and difficult to treat. Mild dandruff can be treated with a gentle daily shampoo. If that doesn't work, a medicated shampoo may help. Symptoms may return later. Symptoms Dandruff signs and symptoms may include: • Skin flakes on your scalp, hair, eyebrows, beard or mustache, and shoulders • Itchy scalp • Scaly, crusty scalp in infants with cradle cap The signs and symptoms may be more severe if you're stressed, and they tend to flare in cold, dry seasons. When to see a doctor Most people with dandruff don't require a doctor's care. See your primary care doctor or a doctor who specializes in skin conditions (dermatologist) if your condition doesn't improve with regular use of dandruff shampoo. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Causes Dandruff may h...

On call Q. I have had a dandruff problem for years. I have tried selenium and zinc shampoos, as well as ketoconazole shampoo. Nothing has worked. Are there other options? A. Dandruff, which is a chronic skin condition known as seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, can range from a minor irritant to a severe rash of the entire scalp. It is caused when a skin fungus called Malassezia irritates the sebaceous glands of the scalp. This triggers an immune response, which leads to a scaly rash. The first step for treatment is similar to what you have tried: over-the-counter dandruff shampoos, containing zinc, selenium, or ketoconazole. For maximum benefit, the shampoos should be left on the scalp for five minutes before rinsing. Coal tar shampoo is also effective, although it may discolor light-colored hair. If all these treatments do not work, you need prescription-strength medication. A topical corticosteroid, such as fluocinolone (Capex), may be used for two-weeks to quiet the rash. Another effective class of medications is calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel), which help to suppress the immune response. It's essential to apply these medications properly, so talk with your doctor about these options. — by William Kormos, M.D. Editor in Chief, Harvard Men's Health Watch As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No c...

Overview Seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp. What is seborrheic dermatitis? Seborrheic dermatitis is a common, noncontagious, easy-to-manage skin condition. This type of “Seborrheic” refers to the “sebaceous” glands while “derm” means “skin.” It’s called “dandruff” ( pityriasis capitis) when it’s on a teenager’s or adult’s scalp, and “ Seborrheic dermatitis can occur in other areas of your body. These are areas with the most sebaceous (oil) gland activity: your upper back and chest, face/forehead, the creases at the base of your nose, behind your ears, navel (belly button), eyebrows, under your breasts and in the creases/bends of your arms, legs and groin. Seborrheic dermatitis is a lifelong condition that appears, disappears with treatment, and flares up from time to time. Who gets seborrheic dermatitis? About 11% of the population has seborrheic dermatitis. It occurs most often in infants younger than three months old and in adults ages 30 to 60. It is more common in men than in women, and in Caucasians more than African Americans. If you are born with naturally oily skin, you are more likely to get this type of dermatitis. A history of psoriasis in your family makes you vulnerable as well. If you live in a dry, cold region, the weather doesn’t cause the seborrheic dermatitis, but it does make it worse. If you have these health issues, you’re more prone to seborrheic dermatitis: Immunosuppressions: • Organ transplant recipients. • • • Psychiatric disorders: • Neurologica...

Medical News Todayonly shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: • Evaluate ingredients and composition:Do they have the potential to cause harm? • Fact-check all health claims:Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? • Assess the brand:Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Dandruff is a skin condition that affects the scalp, causing itchy, flaking skin and greasy patches. Causes of • seborrheic dermatitis • dry skin • allergic reactions to hair and skin products • other skin conditions, such as • diet • overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia There are many over-the-counter (OTC) topical medications and special shampoos that treat dandruff. However, people can also help eliminate dandruff at home using the natural remedies below. Share on Pinterest A person should dilute tea tree oil before use. Tea tree oil is an essential oil that comes from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant. Historically, people have used tea tree oil to treat a variety of conditions, such as acne, athlete’s foot, and dermatitis. Tea tree oil contains a compound called terpinen-4-ol, which possesses powerful antimicrobial properties. Tea tree oils containing high concentrations o...

On call Q. I have had a dandruff problem for years. I have tried selenium and zinc shampoos, as well as ketoconazole shampoo. Nothing has worked. Are there other options? A. Dandruff, which is a chronic skin condition known as seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, can range from a minor irritant to a severe rash of the entire scalp. It is caused when a skin fungus called Malassezia irritates the sebaceous glands of the scalp. This triggers an immune response, which leads to a scaly rash. The first step for treatment is similar to what you have tried: over-the-counter dandruff shampoos, containing zinc, selenium, or ketoconazole. For maximum benefit, the shampoos should be left on the scalp for five minutes before rinsing. Coal tar shampoo is also effective, although it may discolor light-colored hair. If all these treatments do not work, you need prescription-strength medication. A topical corticosteroid, such as fluocinolone (Capex), may be used for two-weeks to quiet the rash. Another effective class of medications is calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel), which help to suppress the immune response. It's essential to apply these medications properly, so talk with your doctor about these options. — by William Kormos, M.D. Editor in Chief, Harvard Men's Health Watch As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No c...

Healthlineonly shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: • Evaluate ingredients and composition:Do they have the potential to cause harm? • Fact-check all health claims:Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? • Assess the brand:Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Flakes and an itchy, scaly scalp are the main symptoms of dandruff. White, oily flakes typically accumulate in your hair and on your shoulders and often get worse during the fall and winter months, when the air is dry. Additional symptoms can • erythema, which is red patches on the skin of the scalp, and sometimes on the face • eyebrow dandruff • hair loss • dry flakes on the skin of the face Getting rid of dandruff can consist of taking medications that you can get both through prescriptions and over the counter. There are also some home remedies you can try. Treatment The best way to get rid of dandruff is to use dandruff shampoo and scalp treatments. • Follow instructions. Since there are many different types of dandruff treatment shampoos, and each comes with its own instructions, it’s important that you carefully read and follow the directions of the product of your choice. Be sure you know if ...

Treatment The itching and flaking of dandruff can almost always be controlled. For mild dandruff, first try regular cleansing with a gentle shampoo to reduce oil and skin cell buildup. If that doesn't help, try a medicated dandruff shampoo. Some people can tolerate using a medicated shampoo two to three times a week, with regular shampooing on other days if needed. People with drier hair would benefit from less frequent shampooing and a moisturizing conditioner for the hair or scalp. Hair and scalp products, both medicated and nonmedicated, are available as solutions, foams, gels, sprays, ointments and oils. You may need to try more than one product to find the routine that works for you. And you'll likely need repeated or long-term treatment. If you develop itching or stinging from any product, stop using it. If you develop an allergic reaction — such as a rash, hives or difficulty breathing — seek immediate medical attention. Dandruff shampoos are classified according to the medication they contain. Some are available in stronger formulations by prescription. • Pyrithione zinc shampoos (DermaZinc, Head & Shoulders, others). These contain the antibacterial and antifungal agent zinc pyrithione. • Tar-based shampoos (Neutrogena T/Gel, Scalp 18 Coal Tar Shampoo, others). Coal tar slows how quickly skin cells on your scalp die and flake off. If you have light-colored hair, this type of shampoo may cause discoloration. It can also make the scalp more sensitive to sunlight. • S...

Overview Seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp. What is seborrheic dermatitis? Seborrheic dermatitis is a common, noncontagious, easy-to-manage skin condition. This type of “Seborrheic” refers to the “sebaceous” glands while “derm” means “skin.” It’s called “dandruff” ( pityriasis capitis) when it’s on a teenager’s or adult’s scalp, and “ Seborrheic dermatitis can occur in other areas of your body. These are areas with the most sebaceous (oil) gland activity: your upper back and chest, face/forehead, the creases at the base of your nose, behind your ears, navel (belly button), eyebrows, under your breasts and in the creases/bends of your arms, legs and groin. Seborrheic dermatitis is a lifelong condition that appears, disappears with treatment, and flares up from time to time. Who gets seborrheic dermatitis? About 11% of the population has seborrheic dermatitis. It occurs most often in infants younger than three months old and in adults ages 30 to 60. It is more common in men than in women, and in Caucasians more than African Americans. If you are born with naturally oily skin, you are more likely to get this type of dermatitis. A history of psoriasis in your family makes you vulnerable as well. If you live in a dry, cold region, the weather doesn’t cause the seborrheic dermatitis, but it does make it worse. If you have these health issues, you’re more prone to seborrheic dermatitis: Immunosuppressions: • Organ transplant recipients. • • • Psychiatric disorders: • Neurologica...

Dandruff treatments are ways you can get rid of or control itching and flaking on your scalp. The first two to try are brushing your hair and using a dandruff shampoo. Brush your hair from your scalp down with steady, firm strokes. This carries the oil away from your scalp, where the buildup of it and skin cells can cause dandruff. Moving it along the hair strands helps keep your hair shiny and healthy. Dandruff Shampoos Not all dandruff shampoos are alike. Some have different active ingredients, such as: • Coal tar preparations (Denorex Therapeutic Protection, Neutrogena T/Gel, Scytera) • Pyrithione zinc (Selsun Blue for Itchy Dry Scalp, Neutrogena T/Gel Daily Control Dandruff Shampoo, Head & Shoulders) • Salicylic acid and sulfur (Sebex, Sebulex) • Salicylic acid (Neutrogena T/Sal ) • Selenium sulfide (Dandrex, Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength, Selsun) • Ketoconazole (Extina, Nizoral A-D, Xolegel) You may need to switch between types of shampoos if one type controls the dandruff at first but later loses its effectiveness. And if you decide to try a shampoo that has coal tar in it, you’ll need to use care. Coal tar treats dandruff by making the skin cells on your scalp die and flake off more slowly, but there are things you should know: • Some people have an allergic reaction to it. • It can change the color of lighter-colored hair, fingernails, skin, and clothes. • You’ll need to keep it away from any cuts, broken skin, or infections, as well as your eyes. • It can mak...