DEFINITION Dandruff is a chronic condition where there is a loss on the scalp, which is characterized by itching and flaking of the scalp. Although dandruff is not contagious and is rarely serious but it can be embarrassing and sometimes difficult to treat.
The good news, dandruff can usually be controlled. In mild cases only require nothing more than washing your hair every day with a gentle cleanser. In the more difficult cases often require medical shampoo. ......
SYMPTOMS
In many adolescents and adults, symptoms of dandruff is easily seen that the white powder, flakes of dead skin on the oily head as dots on the hair and shoulders and itchy.
Type of dandruff called cradle cap in infants can be exposed. This disease, which causes the loss of the scalp, is most common in newborns, but can occur at any time up to the childhood. Although a warning for parents, cradle cap is harmless and usually disappear over time.
Causes & Risk Factors
Cause
Dandruff can have several causes, namely:
- Dry skin. Are many causes of dry skin and itching of the scalp hair loss. Flakes of dry skin are generally smaller and less oily than other cases of dandruff.
- Irritation, oily skin (seborrheic dermatitis). Condition often causes dandruff. Characterized by redness, oily skin is covered with flakes of white or yellow scales. Seborrheic dermatitis, result in not only the scalp but also other areas that have lots of oil glands, such as the eyebrows, the nose and behind the ears, chest and sometimes in the armpit.
- Often do not use shampoo. If you do not clean your hair regularly, oil and skin cells on the scalp can be formed, which causes dandruff.
- Psoriasis. This skin disease causes the accumulation of dead skin cells that form the silver scales. Psoriasis usually occurs in the knees, elbows, and other body parts, but may also occur on the scalp.
- Eczema. If you have eczema on the scalp, chances are you will be exposed to dander.
- Sensitivity to hair care products. Sometimes sensitivity to certain hair care products or hair dye can cause redness, itching, and loss of scalp. Wash your hair with shampoo too often or using too many products for hair can also cause irritation of the scalp, causing dandruff.
- Yeast-like fungus (Malassezia). Malassezia lives on the scalp in many adults without causing problems. But sometimes these mushrooms grow out of control and take oil out of the pores of the head. It can irritate the scalp and cause a lot of skin cells grow. Excess skin cells will cause some cells to die and fall.
Risk factors
Nearly everyone has dandruff, but certain factors can make you more susceptible:
- Of age. Dandruff usually begins at a young age. But somehow that does not mean people with advanced age did not have dandruff. For some of these problems can continue for a long time.
- Men. As more men have dandruff, some scientists think the male hormone has a role in the cause of dandruff. Men also have more hair and skin oil production contributing cause dandruff.
- Hair and scalp are oily. Malassezia consuming oil on the scalp. For that reason, have the oil on the skin and hair makes you more vulnerable to excessive dandruff.
- Diet. If you are deficient diet foods that contain iron, vitamin B or certain types of fat, you are much easier to dandruff.