Dandruff

Dandruff can be defined as the shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. It is technically called as Pityriasis simplex capillitii. It can be caused by prolonged exposure to extreme cold and heat. It is not a disease in strict sense as it is normal for skin cells to die and flake off. Thus, small flaking is normal and common. However, there are some people who experience large amount of flaking and it can be lead to redness and irritation. The majority of the dandruff can be easily controlled and treated by using specialized shampoos. However, there might be rare cases of side effects caused by excessive usage of products like gel or hairspray. The dandruff may cause self esteem or social problems. Therefore to treat dandruff is required for both the psychological and physiological reasons.

The large amount of flaking may lead to underlying illness or psoriasis that is a fungal infection (Malassezia), Seborrheic dermatitis, or others. There is a common myth among the people that dandruff is caused by dry scalp and they deal with it by not washing their hair less often and rarely use shampoo. Some believe that washing may lead to worsening of the problem. The Dandruff gets distinguish from a dry scalp as it gets better on using the shampoo frequently. A large number of people find that as they get older, the dandruff increases.

As per the estimates, approx 50% of people suffers from dandruff. This condition is more common in men as compared to women. It occurs more in people that have oily skin. According to some studies diets that are too sugary, spicy and salty may lead to occurrence of dandruff. Also, the excessive alcohol may also lead to increased usage of dandruff. However, contrary to common myth, the dandruff does not causes hair loss