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Signs and symptoms
white, oily-looking flakes
of dead skin that dot your hair and shoulders and an itchy, scaling
scalp. many conditions cause excessive skin scaling, including:
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Dry
skin. Simple dry skin ? the kind you get in winter when the air is cold
and rooms are overheated ? is by far the most common cause of itchy,
flaking skin. But flakes from dry skin are generally smaller and less
oily than those caused by dandruff. |
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Seborrheic
dermatitis. This condition, a frequent cause of dandruff, is marked by
red, greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales. Seborrheic
dermatitis affects not only your scalp but also other areas rich in oil
glands, such as your eyebrows, the sides of your nose and the backs of
your ears, your breastbone, your groin area, and sometimes your armpits |
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Psoriasis.
This skin disorder causes an accumulation of dead skin cells that form
thick silvery scales. In severe cases, your skin cracks, bleeds and may
be quite painful. Psoriasis commonly occurs on your knees, elbows and
trunk, but it can also extend from your scalp onto your forehead and
neck. |
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Cradle
cap (seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp). This disorder, which causes a
scaling, crusty scalp, is most common in newborns, but it can occur
anytime during infancy. Although it can be alarming for parents, cradle
cap isn't dangerous and usually clears up on its own by the time a baby
is a year old. |
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Scalp
ringworm (tinea capitis). This highly contagious fungal infection
occurs primarily in children younger than age 10. Ringworm starts as a
red sore around a hair shaft ? usually on the scalp but sometimes in
the eyebrows or eyelashes. Within a few days, the sore turns scaly and
spreads outward in the ring pattern that gives the infection its name.
The hair in the affected area usually breaks off just above the
surface. Unlike dandruff, ringworm usually causes a red, inflamed scalp
as well as hair loss. |
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Contact dermatitis. Sometimes sensitivities to certain hair-care products or hair dyes can cause a red, itchy, scaling scalp. |
Self-care
You can't prevent dandruff, but you can take steps to reduce your risk:
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Wash
your scalp properly . washing your scalp is very essencial for healthy
hairs.improper washing and excessive oil on the scalp can cause
dandruff and fungus.one should wash the hairs twice or thrice in a week. |
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manage
stress factor. Stress affects your overall health, making you
susceptible to a number of conditions and diseases. It can even help
trigger dandruff or exacerbate existing symptoms. |
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Shampoo often. If you tend to have an oily scalp, daily shampooing to remove the excess oil may help prevent dandruff. |
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Products
which can be a cuase. Hair sprays, styling gels, mousses and hair waxes
can all build up on your hair and scalp, making them oilier. Some
people may even develop allergies to various hair-care products. |
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Eat
a healthy diet. For overall good health, include plenty of fresh fruits
and vegetables, whole grains, and small amounts of lean protein in your
diet. |
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Get a little sun. A little sunlight may be good for dandruff. |
When to seek medical advice
Most
cases of dandruff don't require a doctor's care. But if you're still
scratching your head after several weeks of experimenting with
over-the-counter (OTC) dandruff shampoos or if your scalp becomes red
or inflamed, see your doctor or dermatologist.
Treatment with anti dandruff sampoo [OTC products]
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Zinc
pyrithione shampoos (Suave Dandruff Control Shampoo, Head &
Shoulders). These contain the antibacterial and antifungal agent zinc
pyrithione, which has been shown to reduce the fungus that causes
dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. |
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Tar-based
shampoos (Neutrogena T/Gel, Tegrin). Coal tar, a byproduct of the coal
manufacturing process, helps conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic
dermatitis and psoriasis by slowing cell turnover. But coal tar has an
"earthy" smell, can give light-colored hair an orange tint and may make
treated skin more sensitive to sunlight. |
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Shampoos
containing salicylic acid (Ionil T). These "scalp scrubs" help
eliminate scale, but they may leave your scalp dry, leading to more
flaking. Using a conditioner after shampooing can help counter dryness. |
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Selenium
sulfide shampoos (Selsun, Exsel). These shampoos help prevent cell
turnover and may also reduce the number of malassezia. Because they can
discolor blonde, gray or chemically colored hair, be sure to use them
only as directed and to rinse well after shampooing. |
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Ketoconazole
shampoos (Nizoral). The newest addition to the dandruff armamentarium,
ketoconazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that may work when
other shampoos fail. It's available over-the-counter as well as by
prescription.
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Home Remedy.
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Squeezed lemons can be soaked overnight and the water can then be used to clean the hair. |
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Two
tablespoons of fenugreek (methi) seeds soaked overnight in water. The
softened seeds should be grounded into a fine paste in the morning and
applied over the scalp & left for half an hour and then washed
thoroughly. This is highly effective to remove dandruff. |
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Apply yogert on entire scalp than leave it for half an hour.than wash it with suitable antidandruff sampoo. |
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Make a paste of triphala powder with yogert.apply the paste on entire scalp.leave it for 1 hour than wash it off. |
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Application of Neem oil [overnight application] once in a week ,it is very popular treatment to control dandruff and fungus. |
| These remedies take time to show a visible change but are effective for some people. The best point concerning a home remedy is that you have many options and, if you think that a particular ingredient does not suit you, you can try an alternative. You should give each remedy at least a week before trying another. |
| Note - Information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or mitigate any disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult a health professional. |
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