How to Stop Dandruff

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Stopping dandruff is a matter of pinpointing what is causing your dandruff and utilizing the proper treatment for that. Dandruff can be caused by a scalp that is too dry, too oily, or inflamed. Dandruff shampoos have ingredients that help with inflammation and irritation, control the oiliness of the scalp, and kill any fungus or bacteria infestations.

What is Dandruff?

Dandruff is a chronic condition of the scalp characterized by the shedding of visible flakes of skin. Dandruff may be caused by a dry or oily scalp, but it can also be related to other skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and fungal infection.

Causes of Dandruff

One cause of dandruff is an overly dry condition of the scalp. This causes skin to flake off in tiny visible pieces. This dryness of the scalp can be related to the humidity of your surroundings or to shampoos that wash too much of your scalp’s natural oils away.

Another cause of dandruff is inflammation of the scalp. Large pieces of dandruff slough off of areas of inflamed skin. This condition can be differentiated from dry scalp dandruff by the presence of patches of red/pink, inflamed, and itchy areas on the scalp. The dandruff is larger in size and may have a yellow appearance. An overly oily scalp can also causes dandruff by clogging pores and feeding bacteria or fungus that go on to infest the scalp.

Treatment of Dandruff

The scalp is an area of skin, and keeping it healthy can go a long way in preventing dandruff from even occurring. The best way to do this is to have a complete diet with components that are important to a healthy skin such as vitamins A, B complex, C, E, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. Combined with a low sugar diet, this will allow you to have a healthy scalp free of inflammation. More on diets that stop dandruff.

Changing the way you shampoo your hair and scalp can also stop dandruff. Washing your hair every day and massaging your scalp will remove dead skin cells and lessen dandruff. Anti-dandruff shampoos can be used to provide further relief. Depending on their active ingredients anti- dandruff shampoos may stop itching and irritation of the scalp, slow down the rate that skin cells slough off of the scalp, and control fungus. A number of home remedies for dandruff are also available.

Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Ingredients

Coal Tar: Coal tar helps dandruff caused by skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis by slowing down the rate that skin cells shed. As a result the large patches of skin that would flake off as dandruff are lessened.

Salicylic Acid: This ingredient breaks down loose skin cells on the scalp and helps antifungal ingredients penetrate.

Sulfur: Sulfur acts as an antifungal that will cure dandruff caused by fungal infections.

Ketoconazole: Another ingredient that kills fungi in the scalp.

Selenium Sulfide: Yet another option for getting rid of scalp fungus.

Zinc Pyrithione: This ingredient is in the common Head and Shoulders brand shampoo. It functions as an antifungal and helps break down dead skin.

Here are some ways to keep your scalp healthy and prevent dandruff:

Avoid very hot water in the shower

Remain properly hydrated throughout the day

Avoid stress

Do not sleep with damp hair

Avoid caps and hats

Following the above guidelines will reduce the chance of dandruff by keeping the production of oil on your scalp at a proper level and that will prevent irritation, clogged pores, and fungal infections.

Home Remedy for Dandruff

You can prevent dandruff by following a diet rich in certain vitamins and by reducing your sugar intake. More information about diets that stop dandruff. There are also many natural treatment options should you encounter a problem with dandruff. Home remedies for dandruff that use herbs and essential oils to treat the condition.