Dandruff solution

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...

‌ Tea tree oil is extracted from tea tree leaves through the process of distillation. It is used for its antiseptic properties and is effective in treating cut wounds, insect bites, acne, athlete’s foot, controlling mites, nail fungus, lice, and more. Effects of Tea Tree Shampoo on Dandruff Many dandruff shampoos use tea tree oil, an essential oil that soothes the scalp. It offers nutrients that reduce itching and flaking. ‌ Tea tree shampoo: • Has antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Tea tree oil also helps wash away oil, dead skin, and chemical buildup. • Unblocks pores. Tea tree oil helps improve scalp health by unblocking pores. This reduces dandruff formation. Tea tree shampoo also strengthens the roots of your hair.‌ • Reduces yeast. Tea tree shampoo helps reduce the buildup of yeast in the scalp, which contributes to dandruff. Other Symptoms and Causes of Dandruff Symptoms of dandruff include: • Scaly scalp • Itching scalp • Red patches • Loss of hair patches • Blistering or skin irritation • A yellow crust on the scalp (in babies) ‌ Scientists say the causes of dandruff may include: • • Dry skin • Too much yeast • Poor hygiene • Changes You Can Make Try these fixes if you have dandruff: • Use a 5% tea tree shampoo . Using 5% tea tree shampoo has been seen to be effective due to its ability to manage fungi. Dandruff is related to the yeast family making tea tree a good solution. • Use anti-dandruff shampoo. Anti-dandruff shampoos have coal tar, selenium sulfide,...

Finding Dandruff has been my big secret since I was a young girl. On wash days my mother would sit me down in the living room, turn on a Disney movie, and scratch the flakes out of my scalp before shampooing my hair. But I never really knew what causes dandruff. My mom would mumble on and on about how I inherited the flakes from my father and my grandfather, who have both used Head & Shoulders since before I was born. Going to the hair salon, I always felt I needed to explain. “Sorry about the flakes! I have a really bad scalp,” is the way I would preface any trip to the shampoo bowl. And through my years as a beauty editor, I’ve found that there are a lot of misconceptions about dandruff. It’s a common scalp annoyance that no one really understands. So we decided to bust all the myths about what causes dandruff, what it is, and how to soothe your itchy, flaky scalp. What causes dandruff? Dandruff is a condition in which the scalp starts to itch and flake, leaving you with white bits in your hair and an inflamed scalp. Mild dandruff can be caused by many things, including dry skin and bad reactions to hair products. Some people are sensitive to that yeast—called malassezia furfur—that naturally exists on the scalp, Christine Choi Kim, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Santa Monica, California, tells SELF. For most people, this type of fungus is There also seems to be a genetic predisposition to flaking, Dr. Kim says, so dandruff tends to run in families (see mine). ...

Dandruff is a condition that causes the skin on your scalp to flake. Though not considered a serious condition, it can be annoying and difficult to treat. Recommended As with many citrus fruits, Keep reading to find out if lemon juice is effective at improving dandruff symptoms, plus how to use it and possible side effects. Before evaluating the benefits of using lemon to treat dandruff, let’s look at what causes Many cases of dandruff are caused by the presence of Malassezia, a yeast-like fungus that feeds on the oils present on the scalp. Similar to other natural fungi, Malassezia generally causes minimal issues unless it’s present in excess. Too much of this fungus can cause skin to dry out and become irritated. The result is dandruff and other dry skin disorders. Sensitivity to hair products is another cause of dandruff. Allergies and irritants in certain products can cause inflammation in the scalp, resulting in Other common causes of • • other skin conditions, such as • dry skin • infrequent shampooing Advocates of natural dandruff treatment believe lemons can: • provide • balance the pH of the scalp to keep dandruff at bay • strengthen • eliminate excess oils in the scalp that lead to buildup and scalp flakes The citric acid present in lemon is a natural pH adjuster for the scalp, according to a Shampoos often include citric fruits, like lemon, for their fragrant smell and ability to adjust the scalp to a 5.5 pH. This helps to: • maintain neutrality • prevent any ad...