Getting rid of dandruff!

If you haven't read any of the introductory articles then let's start this article with some basic background information on dandruff. Those white flakes you see on your shoulders are what we usually call “dandruff”. Everyone who is affected by them hates their guts. It's very annoying when you put on a clean shirt and after a few hours it's completely taking over by nasty looking white stuff. There are a whole range of possible causes of dandruff, and getting rid of dandruff is obviously something people want to do as soon as possible.

Dry skin on your scalp could be a reason for your dandruff problems. Make sure you drink plenty of water and keep your skin moisturised. Aggressive chemicals in shampoos can cause dry skin as well so try a different, milder, shampoo for a few weeks and see if that makes a difference.

Obviously there are medical conditions that cause flaky skin on your head, such as psoriasis. Though this condition does not effect your scalp exclusively. If you are having skin problems on other areas of your body then perhaps it is time for a visit to the doctor. Psoriasis causes parts of your skin to turn red as well.

Seborrheic dermatitis is another skin condition that is associated with scaly/flaky skin, and can be quite itchy at times. Seborrheic dermatitis is caused by a fungus that lives in human skins.

If your problems are solely concentrated on your scalp then perhaps you are merely experiencing dry skin. As mentioned above, try changing shampoos and see if that affects the skin on your scalp. Also buying moisturising products for the head is a good way to fight skin dryness.

You may not have thought about this possible cause : head lice. It's unlikely this is the cause of your dandruff problems, but make sure you can exclude it first. It is well known that head lice can cause severe itching, which results in scratching of the skin on your scalp, which then results in bits of skin falling off. Some of the flakes can actually be lice eggs that have grown inside your skin.

Did you know that stress could be a cause of dandruff? Stress is associated with many medical problems so it might not surprise you at all. Getting enough sleep and solving personal problems will do your skin and hair a world of good.

Have you checked the humidity in your office or bedroom recently? The air might be very dry, this is detrimental to the moisture levels of your skin. See if you can solve this issue by setting up a humidifier in your room.