Dandruff

Dandruff is a very common scalp problem characterized by flaking of dead skin cells which causes flakes  of white or yellowish in colour on scalp and on the shoulders.It is contagious. Dandruff is not a serious medical condition, but it can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. Exact causes of dandruff not fully understood but there are several factors which contribute in the development of dandruff are as follows:

1-  People with oily scalp are more prone for dandruff reason being a typical yeast called Malassezia that naturally reside on scalp feeds on oils of the scalp .An overgrowth of this yeast can lead to increased shedding of skin cells that contribute dandruff.

2-   Seborrheic Dermatitis: This is a common skin condition that can affect the scalp and other areas rich in oil glands. It is often associated with redness, itchy, and flaky skin. The differences  in seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff is seborrheic dermatitis causes inflammation redness swelling but dandruff not. Unlike dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis may develop on  ears, eyebrows, beard, or skin around the nostrils.

3-   Androgen hormones, such as testosterone stimulate activity in the sebaceous glands.  This increased the chance of dandruff. Men are more frequently affected by dandruff than women . Dandruff is more common in adolescence and early adulthood. It tends to decrease with age.

4-   Poor nutrition or specific dietary factors (omega 3 fatty acids zinc,vitamine b espcially vit b6) may play a role in skin health. Some studies suggest a link between certain dietary elements and the development of dandruff.

5-   Individuals with dry skin are more prone for dandruff . Cold weather harsh shampoos can increases dryness.

6-   Inadequate cleaning of scalp may accumulate the dead skin cells and causes dandruff.

Symptoms :

1-   The most common symptoms of dandruff is flaking which may be yellowish or white in colour.

2-   Itching on scalp which exacerbate the flaking however intense itching may causes redness on scalp.

3-  The scalp may be red and irritated, especially if scratching occurs frequently. This can be a result of inflammation associated with dandruff.

Cradle cap : Cradle cap, also known as infantile seborrheic dermatitis or neonatal seborrhea, is a common skin condition that can affect infants.This is common and generally harmless condition appears in first few months of baby;s life.The typical presentation is yellowish greasy scaly patch on scalp and may extent to eyebrows and ears. It appears in first few weeks of infants life and usually resolve by own. The increased activity of sebaceous glands due to hormones passed from mother to the baby during pregnancy may stimulates the oil secreting glands and causes cradle cap . These hormones gradually decreasing after baby birth.

Management of Dandruff: Dandruff can have a negative impact on quality of life but it is generally a manageable condition by combination of good scalp hygiene, lifestyle adjustments, and the use of appropriate hair care products. Here are some tips to manage dandruff .

•  Frequent washing hair helps to remove excess oil and dead skin cells from the scalp. Use a mild shampoo  (Mild shampoos  have a gentle formulation with mild  cleansing agents that remove dirt and oil without being  harsh on the hair and scalp and their ph are often  closer to the natural pH of the scalp, which is slightly acidic. This helps maintain the scalp's natural barrier function) for washing scalp. So choose the right shampoo to address dandruff.

• Gently massaging your scalp while shampooing it will help to loosen and remove flakes, not to scratch too vigorously, as this can irritate the scalp.

• Limit the use of hair dryers, straighteners and other heat styling tools,styling products as they produce dryness on scalp.

•  A balanced and nutritious diet particularly which is important for skin such as zinc and viamin B should be added in your diet part.

•  Moderate sun exposure can help improve dandruff symptoms,but  protecting your skin and hair from excessive sun exposure.

•  Manage your stress by exercise, meditation, or deep breathing.

Homeopathic treatment for Dandruff:

In homeopathy , the selection of medicine is based on individual characteristic symptoms , over all health and constitution .There is no one medicine to be  fit in all cases so approach should be personalised treatment. It is crucial to consult with qualified homeopathic practitioner to receive proper guidance and to determine the most appropriate remedy on the basis of totality of symptoms. Here are few homeopathic remedies used for treating dandruff.

Badiaga,Cochlearia armoracia,Calcarean carb , Calcarean sulph,Graphitis,kali sulph, Lycopodium, Natrum mur, Phosphorus,Psorinum, Sanicula, Thuja occidentalis.