Dandruff treatments | Lifestyle changes | Symptoms and causes | Cradle cap and psoriasis | Questions for your doctor
Dandruff is a medical condition wherein the skin on the scalp starts to flake. These white skin flakes may fall over your shoulders and cause embarrassment in public.
What most people don’t know is that dandruff is not too difficult to treat. Many of my patients who suffer from dandruff successfully treat the issue in no time.
In this article, I will answer some frequently asked questions on dandruff and dandruff treatment for hair to help you manage this condition and flaunt flake-free locks!
What are the top treatments for dandruff?
The available dandruff treatments for hair for you to choose from are varied. They are:
- Corticosteroid scalp lotions and creams – These can be purchased over-the-counter and help reduce inflammation. They can be applied topically once a day on damp hair after shampooing. For optimum results, you can use corticosteroid creams with a medicated shampoo. Harvard Health Publishing suggests that the use of fluocinolone for two weeks can be effective in a severe case of dandruff. I personally recommend leaving the shampoo on for at least five minutes before washing it off. Short contact exposure to corticosteroid shampoos causes no harm at all and are safe.
- Antifungal creams – These over-the-counter creams contain yeast-killing ingredients. Incredibly effective, they help reduce the amount of yeast organisms living on the skin and should be applied once or twice daily. Looks for creams that are 2% miconazole cream or 1% clotrimazole cream.
- Antibacterial cleansers – You can opt for prescription-strength cleansers like sulfacetamide to help decrease the amount of bacteria on the skin. This can help in the treatment of dandruff. Other washes you can use include sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur or benzoyl peroxide cleansers.
- The Bombay Dandruff Treatment – I have personally curated The Bombay Dandruff Treatment that truly promises to be your one-stop solution for your dandruff woes. Using a combination of photodynamic laser therapy, oxygen therapy, and electro modulation system, this treatment will truly tackle dandruff from its root cause. Additionally, it helps to improve blood circulation, promote cell regeneration, and regulate oil secretion on your scalp. I use the latest in technology including a gold PDT comb, single and triple jet for oxygen infusion, and hair mask composite treatment with wavelength cool light for deep treatment that reaches the dermis.
Results do vary between patients, so your dermatologist will advise you on the best remedy for your case of dandruff.
Which shampoos are good for treating dandruff?
When shopping for dandruff shampoos, I recommend looking closely at the ingredients on the back of the bottle before making a purchase. Some beneficial ingredients that work well to remove dandruff include selenium sulfide, pyrithione zinc, salicylic acid, ketoconazole, and coal tar. You should also look for ingredients that help moisturize your hair and scalp like glycerine, shea butter, and aloe vera.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends dandruff shampoos as the first line of defense in dandruff treatment. You may have to experiment a bit to find the shampoo that your scalp reacts to the best. I want to add here to always look for a shampoo that is SLS and SLES free with active molecules.
What are some lifestyle changes required to manage the condition?
To help manage dandruff, I advise my patients to:
- Shampoo more often but use a small coin-size bit of shampoo only
- Use an SLS and SLES free shampoo
- Practice yoga to reduce stress
- Consume food items that are rich in protein, green vegetables, and grains
- Reduce exposure to dry climates
- Apply natural oils like coconut, almond, or jojoba to the scalp
- Limit the use of hair styling products like sprays and gels
- Do not rub the scalp very dry with a towel as this can cause dandruff
- Avoid using hot water to wash your hair
- Do not stand under the shower for a long period of time as the strong force of water hits your scalp and can stimulate glands leading to more dandruff
United Health Service at the University of Michigan notes that as dandruff reduces, patients should minimize the use of the anti-dandruff shampoo on their scalp.
What are the symptoms of dandruff?
The common symptoms of dandruff to watch out for include:
- Itchy scalp
- White flakes on the shoulder with dark clothing
- Recurrent ear eczema
- Scaly facial skin
- Oily scalp and face with dry flakes
- Facial rash on the nose, eyebrows, or ears
- Beard rash or eyebrow rash
- Rash on the chest with dry flakes and red spots
Who can get dandruff?
Almost anyone can have dandruff, but some risk factors make you more susceptible. These are:
- Age: Dandruff usually begins in the teenage years and extends through to middles age
- Certain illnesses: Having HIV or a nervous system disease like Parkinson’s increases the risk of dandruff
- Gender: Research suggests that male hormones may be linked to cases of dandruff.
- Stress: Stress is known to cause dandruff. For example, students are known to get dandruff around exam time when they are highly stressed.
What are the causes of dandruff?
The common causes of dandruff include:
- Oily skin or scalp
- Infrequent shampooing or washing of hair
- Cold and dry or hot and humid weather
- Poor hygiene or immune system
- A family history of dandruff
According to the National Health Service, stress may also trigger a case of dandruff.
What is seborrheic dermatitis?
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition of the scalp that causes red skin, scaly patches, and dandruff. It can also affect other oily areas of the body, like the eyebrows, chest, sides of the nose, face, and ears. Thus, seborrheic dermatitis is another name for dandruff. It may also be called seborrheic psoriasis or seborrheic eczema. In infants, the condition is called cradle cap.
What is cradle cap?
Cradle cap is very similar to dandruff in some ways and appears on older infants or children. It is believed to affect 10% of babies up to the age of one month. In babies between one to two years of age, the prevalence is only 7%.
If you notice cradle cap on your infant, you need not worry; cradle cap is by no means contagious and does not reflect how well your infant is being taken care of. It is a common condition that can be treated by applying a soothing lotion or oil to the affected area to soften the scaly skin.
What is the difference between psoriasis and dandruff?
Scalp psoriasis affects the scalp and causes scaly, red patches that flake off just like dandruff does. However, psoriasis is chronic, while dandruff may come and go. It is also more scaly than flaky and the most serious outbreaks of psoriasis can be painful and red. It can spread to other body parts, like your legs, elbow, palms, feet, and back.
A good way to distinguish between scalp psoriasis and dandruff is that psoriasis generally spreads beyond the hairline and onto the skin of the forehead. Dandruff stays confined to the scalp and does not impact the forehead. Also, scalp psoriasis patches and scales are much bigger than dandruff flakes.
It is also worth noting that psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when white blood cells that are meant to fight off disease start to instead attack your skin cells. If you suspect that you may have psoriasis, you can seek the help of a certified medical practitioner.
What is the difference between dandruff and dry scalp?
Dandruff and dry scalp present the same symptoms: an itchy scalp and falling flakes. However, they are two different conditions. In the case of dandruff, the primary cause is an excess of oil on the scalp. In dry scalp, the skin flakes off after being irritated due to having too little moisture. Dry scalp can also be triggered by cold, dry air; hormones; stress; and contact dermatitis.
When should you consult a dermatologist?
Many of my patients successfully treat dandruff with over-the-counter shampoos having the right ingredients. However, if you have tried such shampoos for over a month and still suffer from falling flakes, this might necessitate an appointment with a dermatologist. Moreover, if you notice the scalp getting swollen or turning red, this might indicate another skin condition that needs to be treated.
The dermatologist will study your hair and scalp to determine if you have dandruff. You should let your doctor know about the medications you are taking and the hair care products that you are using. He or she may also rule out conditions like psoriasis and eczema, which also cause flaky scalp skin.
What questions should you ask the doctor?
I encourage my patients to ask me all the questions on dandruff they want; I believe that with every answer they are more empowered and better prepared to manage the condition.
When visiting your doctor, do not forget to ask the following questions:
- What is the cause of my dandruff?
- How can my dandruff be treated?
- Which anti-dandruff shampoos should I use?
- What dietary changes should I make to control dandruff?
- What should I apply to my hair and scalp to reduce dandruff?
- Can dandruff spread among family members?
- What should my hair care routine be?
Closing thoughts
Remember that dandruff is not a life-long condition. It is only a fleeting menace, which can not only be managed well but also treated effectively. With the right dandruff treatment plan and a proper hair care routine, you can bid adieu to those white flakes on your scalp and shoulders. Put an end to your dandruff woes and make an appointment with a certified dermatologist today!
References
- Harvard Health Publishing: https://www.health.harvard.edu/skin-and-hair/what-is-the-best-way-to-treat-severe-dandruff
- American Academy of Dermatology: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/scalp/treat-dandruff
- National Health Service: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dandruff/
- University Health Service, University of Michigan (UHS):
Dr. Batul Patel is a celebrity dermatologist and the medical director of The Bombay Skin Clinic an award winning clinic located in South Mumbai & Bandra. She is a passionate and dedicated dermatologist with expertise in all fields of dermatology, trichology and aesthetic dermatology. She has been practicing for more than a decade. Her range of expertise include emsculpt NEO, coolsculpting, fillers, acne treatment, lasers, skin rejuvenation, hair loss, hair transplant, PRP & pigmentation treatments.