Author: Charles Frank

Dandruff Diagnosis and treatment

If you don’t experience an improvement, switch to a product that has a different active ingredient. You may have to try two or three products before contacting a specialist. But while dandruff is related to seborrheic dermatitis, dry scalp is simply related to your skin losing too much water.

Getting rid of dandruff can consist of taking medications that you can get both through prescriptions and over the counter. Use the shampoo for a month to see if your dandruff gets better. You might need to try more than 1 type to find a shampoo that works for you. The flakes are often more noticeable in darker hair and if they fall from your scalp onto your shoulders.

1. When your scalp overproduces sebum, or it is not washed out often enough, the excess sebum mixes with dirt, sticks to the hair shaft, and builds up on the scalp.
2. Always speak to a healthcare provider before using a scalp scrub for wet dandruff.
3. Research has shown that using the seeds from the fenugreek plant is an effective remedy for wet dandruff.
4. Dandruff can have many causes, including fungus and shampooing too often or not enough.

You may have started to notice symptoms around puberty, but dandruff can develop at any age. Skin cells that grow and die off too fast are the cause of dandruff, but doctors don’t know why this happens. Oiling your scalp “Certain oils applied to the scalp can cover the scale, but worsen the flaking and itching response,” notes McMichael.

Quiz: Are You Doing Everything You Can to Manage Your Atopic Dermatitis?

This professional dermatologic organization is dedicated to promoting awareness of (and excellence within) the dermatological care of skin of color. Shampooing habits “For those who are already at risk for dandruff, washing infrequently can worsen the condition,” says Dr. McMichael. Taking extended breaks can lead to a buildup of oil that can lead to dandruff. Infusions of green, black, or white tea may help prevent dandruff and improve the condition of a person’s hair and scalp. Experts say this may be due to the antioxidants tea contains or other properties that offer protection from sunlight. Complications rarely occur with dandruff, and most people do not need to consult a doctor.

Others say that too much washing will strip away the natural oils. For psoriasis, a doctor may prescribe anthralin to slow skin cell growth. They may also recommend medicated shampoos and lotions to use on your scalp. In severe cases, UV light therapy, or phototherapy, will be used with these other treatments. Home remedies can be effective at managing wet dandruff, but only if it’s not caused by a skin disorder. If you try these home treatments and your wet dandruff doesn’t improve, see a healthcare provider to find out if a skin condition is causing your wet dandruff.

Some people with dandruff may also have seborrheic dermatitis in other areas of the body, such as their ears, the center of the face, and the center of the chest. There are several different types you can buy from pharmacies or supermarkets. Arnica is an herbal remedy that can be used for various forms of dermatitis, including seborrheic dermatitis.

A Caregiver’s Guide to Biologics for Atopic Dermatitis in Children

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. You’ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.

Dry dandruff is made up of small, white flakes that can easily fall off the scalp. This article discusses home remedies and prescription treatments for wet dandruff and which ones to use depending on the cause. Eczema causes skin to become itchy, discolored, scaly, irritated, and inflamed. The condition is linked to allergies and asthma, and eczema can also occur…

Certain hair care products can irritate the scalp and may cause dandruff. If a person finds that a product is causing irritation, they should try switching to a gentle, non-medicated shampoo. Some treatments will target an underlying condition, such as psoriasis. Others aim to exfoliate dead skin cells or counter the yeast production that can trigger dandruff. 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.

Skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis can also cause wet dandruff. Treatment depends on the cause and typically involves anti-dandruff shampoo and gentle hair care products. You will need prescription treatments from a healthcare provider if the cause is a skin condition. The best treatment for wet dandruff depends on the cause. If your wet dandruff is tied to a skin disorder, you should visit a healthcare professional to get the best treatment for your condition.

Tea tree oil is included in a number of shampoos, but there is no strong evidence to support its use for dandruff control. It comes from the leaves of the Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and has been used for centuries as an antiseptic, antibiotic and antifungal agent. Use an anti-dandruff shampoo for a minimum of 2 to 3 weeks.

Get the best in health and wellness

Wet dandruff is the common name for yellow flakes that result from a buildup of oil on the scalp. Unlike dry dandruff, flakes of wet dandruff are larger and often stick to your hair. Excess oil can accumulate and lead to wet dandruff if you don’t wash your hair often enough or if you have an oily scalp naturally. The type of prescription medications you receive for your wet dandruff will depend on the cause. If the cause is seborrheic dermatitis, for example, antifungal shampoos will be prescribed.

Shampoos for dandruff can be medicated (which requires a prescription to purchase) or available over the counter. Usually, this means that the amount the medication in medicated shampoos is just higher. Dandruff is related to seborrheic dermatitis (SD), which causes itchy and flaky skin, but it only occurs on the scalp. It’s so common that it affects about half of the global adult population. Dandruff can have many causes, including fungus and shampooing too often or not enough.

The frequency with which a person needs to wash their hair will vary between individuals. Products to treat dandruff in the beard area are also available. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Cold, dry winters can trigger dandruff or make it worse, too.

Dandruff is a scalp condition that causes flakes of skin to appear. Most people experience dandruff at some point, but it is more common from the teenage years up to midlife. If you’ve used medicated shampoo regularly for several weeks and still have dandruff, talk to your doctor or dermatologist.