What is dandruff?

Question

how can it be removed?

Answer 1

Dandruff is characterized by small, loose flakes of dead skin on the scalp or trapped in the hair.
- Dandruff is not dangerous, does not cause balding and is not contagious.
- Dandruff is a natural process and it can not be eliminated or cured. Dandruff can only be managed and controlled.

Causes of DANDRUFF
- Dandruff may be caused by several different factors, but the exact underlying cause of dandruff is unknown or is at least not agreed upon by the medical establishment.
- One possible cause of dandruff may be sensitivity to, or overgrowth of, a fungus present on the scalp.
- Another possible cause may be overactive oil glands on the scalp which cause an increase of the natural skin shedding process.
- Another possible cause may be clogged oil glands on the scalp. These clogged pores can lead to over-drying and flaking of the skin.
- Poor diet, poor hygiene, genetic disposition, hormonal imbalances and infections may all possibly contribute to dandruff.
- Some external contributors to dandruff may include infrequent shampooing of the hair or inadequate hair rinsing, improper use of hair-coloring products, cold weather, dry environment and tight fitting hats.
- Dandruff may become worse with stress or if the patient is "run-down".

Symptoms of DANDRUFF
- Unsightly flakes or scales are typically present on the scalp and trapped in the hair.
- Whether or not these flakes are "oily" or "dry" may hint to the underlying cause of the dandruff.
- Dandruff rarely has any symptoms but itching of the scalp may occur.

Treatment and prevention of DANDRUFF
- Dandruff can disappear suddenly without treatment or may take multiple weeks of treatment to improve.
- Prevention of dandruff may be achieved by shampooing regularly with a mild, non-medicated shampoo. The scalp should be massaged gently to loosen flakes and the hair and scalp rinsed thoroughly
- Anti-dandruff shampoos containing coal tar, pyrithione zinc, salicylic acid or selenium sulfide are available without a prescription. (Specific products may be recommended by a physician or pharmacist.)

Answer 2

Dandruff is a common problem now a days. Actually it is not a disease. The outer skin (epidermis) of the head gets dried and scalp is formed. This scalp deposited on the skull gives itching due to some bacterial action. Serious formation of this scalp leads to weakening of the root of the hair and hair start falling. It is important to keep the skin clean and don't allow the skin too dry or too wet for long time. Massaging the skin at regular intervals is good especially in the morning immediately after wake up.. this will increase blood circulation in the outer skin and keep the skin healthy.

Answer 3

Dandruff is excessive shedding of dead skin cells from your scalp. Most often, white flakes will result.

Try rubbing lemon juice in your hair, as I heard this works as a remedy.

Also, check out http://www.realhomeremedies.com
Click on the dandruff link to the left for treatments

Answer 4

everybody has yeasts that proceed to exist our pores and skin. some human beings have an detrimental reaction to this yeast on the scalp, which finally leads to dandruff. the final widely used scientific care is to generally use a shampoo that contains the factor ketoconazole, which kills the yeast on the scalp. a uncomplicated kind call is "Nizoral" shampoo. Use it on an commonplace basis for a week or so, then taper right down to 2-three times a week (alternating with a non-medicated shampoo). it works for ninety 8% of people.

Answer 5

It's the gross flaky white bits that come off your scalp. To check if you have it, get a piece of black paper, and comb your hair over it, if there's white bits on the paper...you've got dandruff. It's really easy to get rid of tho, just go and buy some head and shoulders shampoo a wash your hair with that a few times each week.

Answer 6

Dead skin layer peels off. It is called as dandruff. To clear the peeled off skin layers, use any good shampoo. To prevent further dandruff, apply regulary good hair oil. The best will be Maha Bringaraj and amla oil. Mix these two oils and apply regularly. It will stop your dandruff, prevent hair fall and greying.

Answer 7

White flakes/scales in the hair due to excessive shedding of the scalp skin. To prevent, use an anti-dandruff shampoo like 'Heads & Shoulders' or 'Nizoral'

Answer 8

White flakes/scales in the hair due to excessive shedding of the scalp skin.

Remedy for dandruff:

Mix up a spoon of camphor to half a cup of coconut oil. Instead of coconut you can use neem oil otherwise. Keep this mixture in a air tight container, preferably a glass container and use this oil to massage your scalp before going to bed. Practice this continuously for at least 15 days and feel the difference of your healthy scalp. After 15 days do it for alternate days for the best of result.
Add a spoon of castor oil, mustard oil and little coconut (or neem) oil and massage your scalp every night and have a shampoo the day next.

Answer 9

Dead skin cells. Take a cup of apple cider vinegar and 3 cups of water massage in and use for a pre-rinse. Then rinse out. Drink 6-8 glasses of pure water daily. Read the "dehydration" and apple cider vinegar and hair websites.

Answer 10

Try the Natural Cures and say Goodbye to Dandruff.

Dandruff refers to the flaking scalp which falls like a snow flakes and settles on one’s brows, shoulders, and clothes, but assumes an unpleasant, irritating condition associated with bacteria, in the case of excessive formation of scales on the scalp. These scales are formed from the ***** layer of the skin.

Symptoms: The scaliness increases whenever the hair is brushed or rubbed. It may also appear as lumps or crusts on the scalp. Often there is itching as well, and the scalp may become red from scratching.

Causes: The main causes of dandruff are: Impairment of general health, toxic condition of the system brought on mainly by wrong feeding, constipation, and lowered vitality due to infectious diseases. Other factors contributing to dandruff are emotional tension, harsh shampoos, exposure to cold, and general exhaustion.

Treatment: Numerous medicated shampoos are available in the market for the treatment of dandruff. Most of these, however, in the process of curing the disorder, cause irreparable damage to the hair roots because of the synthetic ingredients contained in them. The treatment of dandruff has to be constitutional, if a permanent cure is desired.

The foremost consideration in the treatment of this disorder is to keep the hair and scalp clean so as to minimise the accumulation of dead cells. The hair should be brushed daily to improve the circulation and remove any flakiness. The most effective way to brush the hair is to bend forward from the waist with the head down towards the ground, and brush from the nape of the neck towards the top of the head. Short or shoulder-length hair can be brushed right from the roots to the ends in one stroke. In the case of long hair, two strokes would be best to avoid stretching the hair.

The scalp should also be thoroughly massaged every day, using one’s fingertips and working systematically over the head. This should be done just before or after brushing the hair. Like brushing, this stimulators the circulation, dislodges dirt and dandruff and encourages hair growth. For a proper massage, spread your fingers fanwise and slip them through the hair. With your thumb pressed behind your ears, press down on your scalp with your fingertips. Now rotate your fingers so that they move the scalp over the bony structure of the head. You will feel your skin move and the scalp tingle. Move up an inch at a time until you have covered the whole head. It is a very simple procedure, and takes only a few minutes to perform.

Several home remedies have been found useful in the treatment of dandruff. The use of fenugreek (methi) seeds is one such remedy. Two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds should be soaked overnight in water. The softer seeds should be ground into a fine paste in the morning. This paste should be applied all over the scalp and left for half-an hour. The hair should then be washed thoroughly with soap nut (ritha) solution or shikakai.

The use of a teaspoon of fresh limejuice for the last rinse, while washing hair, is equally beneficial. This not only leaves the hair glowing but also removes stickiness and prevents dandruff. Washing the hair twice a week with green gram powder in curd is another useful prescription.

Dandruff can be removed by massaging one’s hair or half-an-hour with curd which has been kept in the open for three days, or with a few drops of lime juice mixed with amla juice every night, before going to bed. Another measure which helps to counteract dandruff is to dilute cider vinegar with an equal quantity of water and dab this on to the hair with cotton wool in between shampooing. Cider vinegar added to the final rinsing water after shampooing also helps to disperse dandruff.

Diet plays an important role in the treatment of dandruff. To begin with, the patient should resort to all-fruit diet for about five days. In this regimen, there should be three meals a day, consisting of fresh, juicy fruits, such as apples, pears, grapes, grapefruit, pineapple, and peaches. Citrus fruits, bananas, dried, strewed or tinned fruits should not be taken. Only unsweetened lemon or plain water, either hot or cold, should be drunk. During this period, a warm water enema should be taken daily to cleanse the bowels and all other measures adopted to eradicate constipation. After the all-fruit diet, the patient can gradually adopt a well-balanced diet. Emphasis should be on raw foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables; sprouted seeds, raw nuts and whole grain cereals, particularly millet and brown rice. Further short periods on the all-fruits diet for three days or so may be necessary at a monthly interval, till the skin’s condition improves. Strict attention to diet is essential for recovery. Starchy, protein, and fatty foods should be restricted. Meats, sugar, strong tea or coffee, condiments, pickles, refined and processed foods - all these should be avoided, as also soft drinks, candies, ice cream and products made with sugar and white flour.

Exposure of the head to the rays of the sun is also a useful measure in the treatment of dandruff. Simultaneously, an attempt should be made to keep the body in good health. This also helps clear dandruff.

Hope this helps, Good Luck.