2007-03-02 12:21:58 · 6 answers · asked by glenn 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Skin Conditions
Real dandruff isn't actually caused by dry skin, it's a condition called seborrheic dermatitis that actually produces an overabundance of oil (sebum) in the skin, but also creates the flakes, from irritation sloughing. The skin can often be greasy and scaly in addition to flaky. You can also experience it on other parts of your body, like your chest or face (around the nose is somewhat common). Moisturizing can make it worse, but doctors sometimes prescribe a steroid cream and/or an antifungal cream to use for it on your body or face.
Since it can be cause by fungus as well as hormones/no particular reason, doctors usually recommend an antifungal dandruff shampoo like Nizoral (which now has an over-the-counter strength in addition to a prescription strength). If you do buy that one, get the larger bottle (open the box of the smaller one to see how small it is and you'll know why!) If that's too expensive or your dandruff doesn't seem very bad, you might first try an anti-dandruff shampoo with pyrithione zinc, like Head & Shoulders or Pantene Anti-Dandruff. Please don't try to condition it away! Remember, moisturizing can make it worse. I recommend the Pantene Anti-Dandruff if you don't know whether what you have is dry scalp or dandruff.
here are several references if you are inclined to believe the "dry scalp" answers instead of this one:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000963.htm
http://familydoctor.org/157.xml
http://www.emedicine.com/DERM/topic396.htm
You *may* just have a dry scalp, which can flake. But true dandruff is related to the overproduction, not underproduction, of oil.
2007-03-02 13:45:44 · answer #1 · answered by blueblue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dry skin on the scalp causes dandruff when it falls off. You have dry skin all over your body like this but with dandruff you notice it because it gets stuck in your hair.
2007-03-02 20:25:44 · answer #2 · answered by moonfreak♦ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some people say from dry scalp and others say oily saclp so I'm not sure actually but I would think that it is dry scalp
2007-03-02 20:31:09 · answer #3 · answered by music is my life {itz m33gan} 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The weather and i hear its not good to keep changing products stick with one that works your hair will love you for it.
2007-03-02 20:42:18 · answer #4 · answered by bustnloose_2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a dry scalp
2007-03-02 20:25:14 · answer #5 · answered by darlintxdaisy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dry skin. try cooler showers maybe vitamin e
2007-03-02 20:27:32 · answer #6 · answered by jay p 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋