How to Prevent and Treat Dandruff

Dandruff, a condition characterized by flaking, itchy scalp, is one of the most common dermatogical conditions. Fortunately, while the exact cause of dandruff is not known, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of getting it, and effective treatments are available.

Steps

Eat a healthy, balanced diet. As if you needed another reason to eat right, it turns out that a healthy diet may ward off the flakes. Make sure to get plenty of zinc, Omega-3 fatty acids, and B-vitamin, and avoid excessive yeast and sugar. Research suggests that dandruff is at least in part caused by a fungus that thrives in yeasty, fatty, sugary environments. You don't want your head to be that kind of environment anyway, do you?
Don't worry, be happy. Stress challenges the body's defenses and encourages all sorts of ailments, including dandruff, so relax now and don't worry about wearing a black shirt tomorrow.
Limit your use of hair styling products. Hairspray, mousse, and gel may contribute to dandruff in some people. They may also cause excessive drying of the skin, which can cause flaking--or trigger allergic reactions. If you notice dandruff soon after you begin to use a new product, chances are the product is to blame.
Wash your hair regularly. Dandruff seems to thrive in oily hair, so regular shampooing (daily, if your hair is oily) can help you fight it off. If you already have dandruff, washing your hair may help you keep the symptoms (the flakes) under control until it goes away. Massage your scalp so that you clean your skin, as well as your hair.
Use a shampoo designed to treat dandruff. If dandruff persists despite regular shampooing, you may need something stronger. There are a variety of anti-dandruff shampoos available at your pharmacy or grocery store, and they usually work. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully, and make a little extra time to shower, as most of these recommend that you leave them in for 5-10 minutes and lather twice. If the anti-dandruff shampoos seem to not work you can also try a shampoo which contains tea tree oil, this natural oil helps moisturize your scalp and keep the flakes away. (You can also add tea tree oil to your shampoo yourself. Add 5 or 6 drops to begin with.)
Be patient. While anti-dandruff shampoos may produce results after a few uses, it can take a week or two to see the difference.
Switch it up. If one type of anti-dandruff shampoo doesn't seem to work, or if it works for a time but then doesn't, switch to a product with another active ingredient (the active ingredient will be labeled on the bottle).
See your doctor if the problem persists after more than a couple weeks of treatment. There are prescription shampoos available, and prescription steroid creams may also help.

Tips

It's best to get your vitamins from food, rather than nutritional supplements. A quick internet search will turn up foods you can integrate into your diet that are rich in zinc, Omega-3s, and B-vitamins.
If anti-dandruff shampoos aren't working, or if you notice redness on the scalp or silvery or yellow flakes, you may not have dandruff at all. A number of other conditions can lead to flaking skin and itchy scalp. See your primary care physician or dermatologist.
A quick internet search will turn up all kinds of home remedies for dandruff. While some of these may indeed work, anti-dandruff shampoos are inexpensive enough to be adequate for most people.
Wear light-colored clothing (especially tops) while you have dandruff. Most people won't even notice.
If you have hay fever, eczema, or other skin or respiratory allergies, your dandruff may be caused in part by an allergic reaction. In this situation, you may find it helpful to shampoo LESS frequently, so the natural oils that protect your scalp aren't stripped away. Allergic people may also react to dandruff shampoos by generating MORE dandruff. If you think this may be the case for you, try washing your hair with conditioner only, or washing less frequently. CAUTION: Try this first during a vacation or a time when you will be less publicly visible, since your scalp will be very oily at first. It will take two weeks to a month for the balance of oils on your hair and scalp to adjust itself.
Rinsing your scalp with a rinse of 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar to 3/4 cup water may help the problem. The natural acids will help loosen any sebum (dead skin and oils) that clings to your scalp and flakes to form dandruff. Rinse thoroughly with WARM, not hot, water. If you don't rinse well, you will smell like vinegar.
Pouring Listerine, or any other anti-bacterial mouthwash over scalp prior to shampooing helps to kill the bacteria that may be the cause of the dandruff.
Tea tree oil, like Listerine, has antiseptic qualities that help kill the bacteria. You can buy a small bottle at many groceries and health food stores, and add 5-6 drops to your regular shampoo.

Warnings

If you regularly have dry hair or scalp, you may not want to shampoo daily, as this dries skin out even more.
Some anti-dandruff shampoos, such as those containing selenium sulfide or coal tar may discolor light or dyed hair.
Discontinue use of any anti-dandruff shampoo or medication if the condition worsens or spreads, or if you notice side effects. Consult your primary care physician or dermatologist if the problem doesn't go away.

Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-and-Treat-Dandruff

CityHealthNews.com

How to Prevent and Treat Dandruff

Steps

Tips

Warnings