What is Dandruff? – Also known as seborrhoeic dermatitis and is not to be confused with a flaky scalp, this condition is when the skin becomes scaly on the scalp and starts to shed at an increased rate.
There is also an increase in sebum from the sebaceous glands. The scales become oily and fall from the scalp appearing as white particles on the clothes, especially around the neck and shoulder area. It is known as ‘cradle cap’ when it occurs on the heads of babies.
Dandruff Causes – Dandruff is usually caused by an infection from a yeast called Piyrosporum ovale, which irritates the skin and increases the production and shedding of skin cells. Other causes can be poor diet, stress, food allergies, sluggish metabolism and hormone imbalance.
Dandruff Advice – If dandruff is caused by a yeast infection, then there are several things that can be done to overcome the problem. Firstly, the diet should be restricted of sugars, as yeast thrives on it. This involves reducing or avoiding all sugary foods and refined carbohydrates, such as cakes, sweets, biscuits, white bread, white rice and white flour to name a few. Following the advice in the ‘Hair – Nutrition & Lifestyle’ section is also important, as it involves eating the right type of food for healthy hair and skin, but also for keeping the immune system in check. This will ensure that the body is able to fight off the infection from within. Herbs such as garlic, echinacea and astragalus will help boost the immune system further. Garlic can also be eaten freely and added to savoury meals wherever possible as it has important anti-fungal properties.
Dandruff Treatments
The nutritional supplement biotin has been used to treat dandruff at a dose of 2.5 – 5.0 mg per day.
Topically, neat tea tree oil can be rubbed into the scalp once a day and left for about an hour. Furthermore, the hair can be treated with tea tree shampoo and conditioner afterwards, but it is important to massage these well into the scalp. It is also important to wash brushes and combs with tea tree as the yeast may also exist in these places, which increases the risk of re-infection. Another aromatherapy oil that has been used to treat dandruff is rosemary. Before bedtime, a topical preparation can be applied to the scalp. The mixture is quickly made by adding 6 drops of rosemary to 30 ml of olive oil. Some aromatherapists also recommend adding 9 drops of eucalyptus to this mixture. Whichever, the hair should be thoroughly washed and conditioned the following morning. Aloe vera gel has also successfully been used to treat dandruff, according to both research and anecdotal reports. It specifically helps reduce the scaling and itching associated with the problem.
Obviously, there are special shampoos available that are specially formulated for the treatment of dandruff. Whatever the type, it is important to brush or comb the hair before shampooing to rid the hair of excess yeast and skin cells
If stress is the cause, then relaxation techniques should be employed. If food allergies are suspected, then it may be useful to have a food intolerance test, which are usually available at most health food stores and pharmacies. If dandruff still persists after all of the above efforts then the reason may be more complicated and medical advice should be sought. A doctor will probably refer you to a trichologist, if the cause is not clear.
Home-Made Dandruff Treatment
There are several topical preparations that can help this embarrassing problem. Neat tea tree oil can be rubbed into the scalp once a day and left for about an hour.
Furthermore, the hair can be treated with tea tree shampoo and conditioner afterwards, but it important to massage these well into the scalp.
It is also important to wash brushes and combs with tea tree as the yeast may also exist in these places, which increases the risk of infection.
Another aromatherapy oil that has been used to treat dandruff is rosemary. Before bedtime, a topical preparation can be applied to the scalp.
The mixture is quickly made by adding 6 drops of rosemary to 30 ml of olive oil.
Some aromatherapist also recommend adding 9 drops of eucalyptus to this mixture.
Whichever, the hair should be thoroughly washed and conditioned the following morning.
Aloe vera gel has also successfully been used to treat dandruff, according to both research and anecdotal reports.
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