what causes dandruf?

Answer 1

As the epidermal layer continually replaces itself, cells are pushed outward where they eventually die and flake off. In most people, these flakes of skin are too small to be visible. However, certain conditions cause cell turnover to be unusually rapid, especially in the scalp. For people with dandruff, skin cells may mature and be shed in 2 - 7 days, as opposed to around a month in people without dandruff. The result is that dead skin cells are shed in large, oily clumps, which appear as white or grayish patches on the scalp and clothes.

Dandruff has been shown to be the result of three required factors:
1. Skin oil commonly referred to as sebum or sebaceous secretions;
2. The metabolic by-products of skin micro-organisms (most specifically Malassezia yeasts);
3. an individual susceptibility.

Common older literature cites the fungus Malassezia furfur (previously known as Pityrosporum ovale) as the cause of dandruff. While this fungus is found naturally on the skin surface of both healthy people and those with dandruff, it has recently been shown that a scalp specific fungus, Malassezi Globosa, is the responsible agent. This fungus metabolizes triglycerides present in sebum by the expression of lipase, resulting in a lipid byproduct oleic acid (OA). Penetration by OA of the top layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, results in an inflammatory response which disturbs homeostasis and results in erratic cleavage of stratum corneum cells.

Rarely, dandruff can be a manifestation of an allergic reaction to chemicals in hair gels/sprays, hair oils, or sometimes even dandruff medications like Ketoconazole.

There is no convincing evidence that food (such as sugar or yeast), excessive perspiration, or climate have any role in the pathogenesis of dandruff.

There have been many strategies for the control of dandruff. Simply increasing shampooing will remove flakes. However, elimination of the fungus results in dramatic improvement. Regular shampooing with an anti-fungal product will not only treat but prevent recurrence.

Severe forms of flaking if accompanied by flaking or scaling on other parts of the body, might best be treated by a dermatologist.
Head & Shoulders anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Zinc pyrithione. [citation needed]
Nizoral Shampoo anti-fungal/anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Ketoconazole.
Selsun Blue anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Selenium sulfide.
The antifungal properties of Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Oil) have been reported as useful in the treatment of dandruff. [1] [2] [3]
Washing hair with rubbing alcohol gets rid of the dandruff and leaves hair feeling soft and clean. [citation needed]
Tar containing shampoos are also used for treatment of dandruff. [4]
Apple Cider Vinegar helps destroy the bacteria that causes Dandruff thus, eliminating your dandruff. [citation needed]


Misconceptions
Dandruff is sometimes confused with dried shampoo. This usually occurs when hair isn't rinsed properly.
Dandruff is not an organism like lice; it is just dead skin that accumulates in the scalp.
Dandruff is unlikely to be the cause of hair loss.

Answer 2

Dandruff is a mysterious ailment. Mysterious, in that there is no commonly agreed upon theory about what actually causes the condition. It is estimated that as much as 97% of the population of the United States will at some point in their lives have a form of dandruff, but there is still a lack of total agreement about this condition.
Dandruff can happen at any age but is most commonly found in people between the ages of 12 and 80. (A form of dandruff known as cradle cap occurs in newborns and infants).

Dandruff is an itchy, annoying and persistent skin disorder of the scalp. A dark shirt and dandruff just simply don't go together! There is nothing more embarrassing than to have someone brush white flakes off your new black sweater or denim jacket. In the past ten years dandruff problems in the United States have become more serious and more frequent.

Dandruff can cause either an overly dry scalp with itchy white flakes that may be waxy or greasy or dandruff can manifest as an oily greasy scalp with scales.

Main Causes:

Dandruff is usually seasonal. It is most severe during the winter and mildest during the summer. Dandruff scales usually occur as small, round, white-to-gray patches on top of the head. Scaling can occur anywhere on the scalp, in the hair, on the eyebrows, the beard and can spread to the neck and shoulders. Dandruff is often known as "dry scalp", but people with oily scalps tend to suffer the most. An oily scalp also supports the growth of P. ovale. Since dandruff is a natural process, it can not be eliminated. It can only be managed and controlled.

i have this problem. I have tried Selsun Blue, Head and Shoulders and much more. I asked my Doctor about it...she told me to try Neutrogena T-Gel Shampoo...I'll warn you...it's a coal tar product and smells awful, so its best to have a nice conditioner...I only have to use it 2 times a week and my dandruff is gone. When first using it, use it 3-4 times a week then go down to 2 times a week...it can cost around $5-7 a bottle, but there is no longer any dandruff. I used to have it so bad to the point that I didn't want to wear dark clothes and wish I had lighter hair since I had dark brown and it showed up in my hair so much.

Answer 3

scaly white or grayish flakes of dead skin cells especially of the scalp; also : the condition marked by excessive shedding of such flakes and usually accompanied by itching.

It's from a dry and/or irritated scalp, try head and shoulders, or selsun blue. Or you could just use a different shampoo than the one you are using.

Answer 4

motives of Dandruff At one time or yet another, dandruff motives have been attributed to dry epidermis, oily epidermis, shampooing too usually or no longer usually adequate, a nasty eating regimen, stress, and using too many fancy styling products. even nevertheless a number of those components might exacerbate or make contributions to scalp flaking, the authentic criminal could be a fat-eating, yeast-like fungus noted as malassezia, earlier favourite as pityrosporum. Malassezia lives on the scalps of maximum wholesome adults with out inflicting problems. yet especially cases it grows uncontrolled, feeding on the oils secreted via your hair follicles and inflicting inflammation that ultimately leads to greater cellular turnover. the end result's a massive style of ineffective epidermis cells. using fact the cells fall off, they have an inclination to clump mutually with oil out of your hair and scalp, making them seem white, flaky and all too seen. precisely what motives an overgrowth of those organisms isn't favourite, even nevertheless greater oil production; hormonal fluctuations; stress; ailment; neurological problems, mutually with Parkinson's ailment; a suppressed immune equipment; rare shampooing and extra sensitivity to the malassezia fungus might make contributions to the form of dandruff.

Answer 5

it is a slight fungal infection and a lack of moisture on the scalp....a combination of both

try to treat it with selsun60...

Answer 6

Depends. Mostly it's dry scalp. But some people have skin conditions. If you just have flakes and no bumps or scabs on your head then it's just dry scalp.

Answer 7

its from washing your hair to much, and you dried your scalp out.

Answer 8

fungal infection

Answer 9

hurry,worry,curry

Answer 10

craving