Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Understanding What Causes Dandruff

By Jille Kelly

Dandruff is such a common condition for many around the world. Most individuals experience it as a result of having hair scalp that is itchy. Other unique health states might lead to one falling foul of it, such as eczema, which presents various possible diagnoses.

As a result the treatments can be varied and wide, while requiring some to go through a few methods before finding one that completely eradicates their problem. Before one knows what to try, some consultation is necessary to determine the type of dandruff that is being experienced.

As mentioned, the most common cause is having itchy scalp. This can indirectly be a result of having dry or oily scalp. When the skin is in a dry condition, the result is that it is easily irritable and the urge to scratch is hard to ignore.

If one experiences oily scalp, the problem can be even worse. Oil that is secreted by the glands will accumulate near the hair roots. This in turn traps the dust and dirt from one's surrounding. A very unhygienic hair environment is then created which leads to bacteria and germs and resultant itchiness.

Washing your hair too often can also lead to dandruff. This is surprising since many expect the opposite. However, too much of it can cause dry or oily scalp that ends in a vicious cycle.

You might not even be safe from the weather that you live in. With hot weather comes a lot of perspiration. This is a major contributing factor to those with oily scalp experiencing common dandruff issues.

Malassezia is a widespread fungus that exists in most adults' hair. If you take care of your scalp and wash regularly, there are no concerns. But if not, malassezia can feast on the oil secreted and lead to dandruff from excessive dead cells.

Those who suffer from other health conditions may also be unfortunate enough to end up with dandruff. In many situations, prevention will be a big help to avoiding having to endure this embarrassing problem. For those who have not been so lucky, a trip to the dermatologist will be necessary in order to cure their condition. - 16463

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