Sunday, February 1, 2009

Understanding What Causes Dandruff

By Jille Kelly

Dandruff is a problem that plagues many people all over the world. It is a common hair condition that generally arises from itchy or oily scalp. There are other medical conditions that can directly or indirectly lead to the same problem. However, due to the many possible causes, it is often difficult to diagnose the source of the condition.

Treatments are plentiful, and usually specific to the cause and problem. It is therefore crucial to find out what the exact cause of your dandruff problem is, before a quality treatment method can be provided.

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.

Many other causes can lead to this hair condition, such as eczema and psoriasis. Prevention might be the best instead of waiting for a problem to rear its ugly head. However, if the situation worsens, it is always advisable to consult a dermatologist and attempt the various cures under supervision. - 16755

About the Author: