Dandruff Causes and Treatments

Unlike many diseases, dandruff has a range of causes, but the result is nearly always the same: itchy, flaky skin that's visible in your hair and on your shoulders.

Dandruff basically occurs when the scalp sheds skin cells faster than normal -- the fungus Pityrosporum ovale often accelerates this process. The fungus is present on nearly everyone's scalp, but it can irritate some people's skin, causing dandruff [source: WebMD].

The most common cause of dandruff is simple dry skin, especially during cold, dry winter months. When your dandruff is associated with dry skin, the flakes are usually small and less oily than those caused by other conditions [source: Mayo Clinic].

Skin conditions, such as seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema and contact dermatitis, can also result in flaking of the scalp's skin. People with seborrheic dermatitis have red, greasy skin covered in flaky scales, and this condition can affect other parts of the body that are rich in oil glands [source: MedlinePlus]. Psoriasis can also affect more than just the scalp -- it can occur on the knees, elbows and trunk of the body, and it presents itself when dead skin cells form thick, silvery scales. Having eczema -- red, itchy patches of skin -- on your scalp can lead to dandruff, but it doesn't always. Sensitivity to hair care products, or contact dermatitis, can also lead to irritation and a flaky scalp [source: Mayo Clinic].

You may be more at risk of developing dandruff depending on your age and hygiene. Keep reading to learn how to prevent dandruff.

If you have a skin condition like psoriasis or eczema that affects your scalp, dandruff may be difficult to prevent. But for many people, a few basic steps can reduce the likelihood of this itchy condition.

Shampooing daily can help reduce the amount of dandruff you experience, especially if you have an oily scalp. Make sure to rinse your hair thoroughly after shampooing -- soap residue can irritate your scalp. After you shower, be sure to brush your hair, starting at your scalp and working outward to distribute oil from the scalp along the hair strands [source: WebMD].

Stress can also cause dandruff. Stress affects the entire body, so it can make you more susceptible to many conditions and trigger or worsen dandruff symptoms. Managing the stress in your life is one way to decrease your likelihood of getting dandruff [source: Mayo Clinic]. Other simple steps for reducing your risk of dandruff include cutting back on hair styling products, which can build up on your scalp and increase oil, eating a healthy diet -- especially one high in zinc, vitamin B and certain types of fat -- and getting some sun [source: Mayo Clinic].

If you already have dandruff and want to improve your symptoms, see the next page to learn more about dandruff treatments.

Although there are a variety of causes for dandruff, most have the same solutions for minimizing it. Except in severe cases, dandruff treatment at home is often successful. Dandruff -- the shedding of dead skin cells on the scalp -- is a natural process, so you won't be able to actually stop it, but you can improve it to keep visible flakes from appearing in your hair and on your clothing [source: American Osteopathic College of Dermatology].

If you've tried washing your hair daily with a mild shampoo and haven't seen a decrease in dandruff, it may be time to switch to an over-the-counter medicated product. There are many different active ingredients, however, and each one may react differently with different people, so you may have to try a few to find one that works for you [source: American Osteopathic College of Dermatology]. Active ingredients include zinc pyrithione, which reduces fungus on the scalp; tar, which slows how quickly skin cells die; salicylic acid, which can eliminate scaly skin; selenium sulfide, which reduces the speed of skin cell replacement; and ketoconazole, a catch-all product that can work when others have failed [source: Mayo Clinic].

For best results, use a shampoo that contains one of the above ingredients daily until your dandruff is under control -- you can then begin using it two to three times a week to maintain your flake-free hair. Each time you shampoo with an antidandruff product, leave it on for at least five minutes to give the ingredients time to work [source: Mayo Clinic].

For more information on how to beat dandruff, visit the links on the next page.