Dandruff

The exact cause of dandruff, also known as Pityriasis simplex is unknown. However, most experts do agree that it is not caused by poor hygiene. So, what are the factors that may contribute to dandruff? People who do not comb/brush their hair regularly have a slightly higher risk of having dandruff - this is because they are not aiding the shedding of skin that combing/brushing provides.

·        Yeast - People who are sensitive to yeast have a slightly higher risk of having dandruff, so it is logical to assume that yeast may play a part. Yeast-sensitive people who get dandruff often find that it gets better during the warmer months and worse during the winter. UVA light from the sun counteracts the yeast. Some say, though, that during winter the skin is drier because of cold air and overheated rooms (exposure to extreme temperatures), making dandruff more likely. So, it is sometimes not that easy to know whether it is yeast or just dry skin.

·        Dry skin - people with dry skin tend to get dandruff more often. Winter cold air, combined with overheated rooms is a common cause of itchy, flaking skin. People with dandruff caused by dry skin tend to have small flakes of dandruff; the flakes are not oily.

·        Seborrheic dermatitis (irritated, oily skin) People with seborrheic dermatitis are very prone to dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis affects many areas of the skin, including the backs of the ears, the breastbone, eyebrows, and the sides of the nose, not just the scalp. The patient will have red, greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales.

·        Certain skin conditions - People with psoriasis, eczema and some other skin disorders tend to get dandruff much more frequently than other people.

·        Some illnesses - Adults with Parkinson's disease and some other neurological illnesses are more prone to having dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Patients recovering from heart attacks and strokes, and some people with weak immune systems may have dandruff more often than other people. Anyone with a reduced immune response may be more prone to yeast type conditions.

·        Reaction to hair/skin care products - Some people react to some hair care products with a red, itchy, scaling scalp. Many experts say that shampooing too often may cause dandruff as it can irritate the scalp.

·        Malassezia is a fungus that lives on everybody's scalp. Generally, it will cause no problems at all. However, it can grow out of control. It feeds on the oils our hair follicles secrete. When this happens the scalp can become irritated and produce extra skin cells. These extra skin cells die and fall off; they mix with the oil from the hair and scalp, and turn into what we see as dandruff.

·        Diet - Some experts say that people who do not consume enough foods that contain zinc, B vitamins, and some types of fats are more prone to dandruff.

·        Skin is constantly shedding all over our bodies as a form of natural cell replacement. Basically the lower level of skin continuously replaces itself and pushes the skin cells outwards where they eventually die and flake off. The flakes are too small to notice. However in the case of scalp dandruff this shedding of skin cells occurs at a much faster rate than the normal one month period. Oil causes these skin cells to stick together forming greasy skin flakes.

Treatment -Dead Sea magik shampoo and Dead Sea magik mud are both excellent for a dry itchy scalp – they are inexpensive and suitable for adult and children. Available at the salon and spa and your local pharmacy.

Also once a week or so warm some organic coconut oil and massage in to a dry hair/scalp leave for 15/30 minutes – prior to wetting hair apply some shampoo to absorb oil then wash as normal. This will treat dry/itchy scalp along with being an excellent conditioning treatment for your hair.