Saturday, January 17, 2009

Understanding What Causes Dandruff

By Jille Kelly

Dandruff is a problem that plagues many people all over the world. It is a common hair condition that generally arises from itchy or oily scalp. There are other medical conditions that can directly or indirectly lead to the same problem. However, due to the many possible causes, it is often difficult to diagnose the source of the condition.

There are therefore many types of treatment methods which one might have to try before finding a final solution. Before attempting that, it is a must to first discover what is the exact cause for the specific dandruff ailment bothering you.

As mentioned, the most common cause is having itchy scalp. This can indirectly be a result of having dry or oily scalp. When the skin is in a dry condition, the result is that it is easily irritable and the urge to scratch is hard to ignore.

The situation turns into a nightmare with oily scalp. When the oil builds up around the hair follicles, this causes dust particles to be trapped in between. Bacteria will thrive in such an environment and when irritated, it leads to infection of the scalp and flaking of the skin.

Washing your hair too often can also lead to dandruff. This is surprising since many expect the opposite. However, too much of it can cause dry or oily scalp that ends in a vicious cycle.

You might not even be safe from the weather that you live in. With hot weather comes a lot of perspiration. This is a major contributing factor to those with oily scalp experiencing common dandruff issues.

Malassezia is a widespread fungus that exists in most adults' hair. If you take care of your scalp and wash regularly, there are no concerns. But if not, malassezia can feast on the oil secreted and lead to dandruff from excessive dead cells.

Many other causes can lead to this hair condition, such as eczema and psoriasis. Prevention might be the best instead of waiting for a problem to rear its ugly head. However, if the situation worsens, it is always advisable to consult a dermatologist and attempt the various cures under supervision.

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