Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Understanding What Causes Dandruff

By Jille Kelly

Dandruff is such a common condition for many around the world. Most individuals experience it as a result of having hair scalp that is itchy. Other unique health states might lead to one falling foul of it, such as eczema, which presents various possible diagnoses.

Treatments are plentiful, and usually specific to the cause and problem. It is therefore crucial to find out what the exact cause of your dandruff problem is, before a quality treatment method can be provided.

Most people will suffer from dandruff as a result of having an itchy scalp. This itself is a condition arising from a scalp that is either too dry or oily. With dryness, the lack of moisture often leads one to feel irritability and therefore the compelling urge to scratch.

The situation turns into a nightmare with oily scalp. When the oil builds up around the hair follicles, this causes dust particles to be trapped in between. Bacteria will thrive in such an environment and when irritated, it leads to infection of the scalp and flaking of the skin.

Trying too hard to keep the scalp clean can also lead to the unexpected case of flaky skin. Excessive washing will irritate the scalp and lead either to dryness or oiliness. This depends on the type of shampoo used. Moderation should be practiced.

The weather of the country you live in can also be a factor. If you have oily scalp and live in a country with high humidity, expect a higher possibility of experiencing dandruff. Heavy perspiration is a common occurrence and that encourages the condition to fester.

Did you know that most of us have fungus in our hair? It is actually normal, but if you allow them to grow, malassezia can lead to a serious case of dandruff. It is often the result of not washing the hair regularly and allowing dead cells to accumulate.

There are other medical conditions like psoriasis that may contribute to dandruff. It is therefore a safer route to prevent a situation that allows the problem to manifest itself. For those who already suffer from it, seek help immediately from a dermatologist to find out what the best treatment is. - 16459

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