Dandruff and its Managment

Dandruff is a condition that causes itchy, greasy flakes and scales of dried sebum (an oily skin-lubricating fluid secreted by the sebaceous glands) and dead skin to appear on the scalp and in the hair, and as the flakes fall, on the shoulders. It is commonly caused by seborrheic dermatitis, a disorder of the sebaceous glands.

The sebaceous glands are tiny glands in the skin that open into hair follicles. These glands are especially numerous in the areas of the scalp, the face, the anus, the nose, the mouth, and the external ear. If they produce too much sebum, it dries into flakes and plugs up the ducts. The sebaceous glands respond by putting forth even more sebum in an attempt to force out the obstructions and open a passageway to the surface of the skin. Scaling, flaking, and itching occur.

Dandruff may be complicated by the presence of a persistent yeast called Pityrosporum ovale that normally lives in the hair follicles. In severe cases, the face, eyebrows, and ears may be affected.

General recommendations for dandruff
Do not pick at the scales. Doing so may cause an infection.

Applying apple-cider vinegar to the affected areas in an old home remedy that has been helpful to many. Use two parts apple-cider vinegar to one part of water. Heat the mixture to a comfortably warm temperature and apply it to your scalp. Wrap a towel around your head and wait thirty minutes, then rinse out the vinegar.

Shampoo thoroughly when you wash your hair. Some people find that use a regular nonmedicated shampoo formulated without oil is more helpful than antidandruff formulas.

Preventive measures for dandruff
To avoid an accumulation of dead skin cells and flakes, gently but thoroughly brush or comb your hair at least twice a day.

If your scalp is dry, before shampooing, try massaging your scalp with oil at least once a week.

Dandruff Treatment
Antidandruff shampoos available over the counter are effective for many people. The active ingredients in these shampoos may include one or more of the following: salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, menthol, and zinc pyrithione (ZPT). If a particular medicated shampoo seems to be losing its effectiveness after a few uses, select another shampoo with a different active ingredient and switch back and forth between formulas. Medicated shampoos are very drying. For that reason, it is best not to use them more often than necessary.

Shampoos containing coal tar are effective against dandruff. Be aware, however, that they can leave a dulling residue behind that darkens light-colored hair.

If you do not get satisfactory results with over-the-counter remedies, consult your doctor or dermatologist for a diagnosis. If the condition is complicated by a yeast infection, for example, he or she may prescribe a shampoo containing an antifungal such as miconazole (in Micatin-Derm and Monistat-Derm) or clotimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex, and others).

Selenium sulfide suspension can be applied directly to the scalp once a week. It is nontoxic, but it can irritate the scalp in some cases, and there have been reports of oiliness, dryness, darkening of very light hair, and changes in the rate of hair loss. Its safety for use by pregnant women has not been tested.

In severe, difficult cases, the intermittent use of topical Corticosteroids may be recommended. However, it is best to avoid these agents unless they are absolutely necessary, as they may be absorbed into the body through the scalp. In addition, the body gets used to their effects quickly, so that increased doses can become necessary to achieve the same effect.

Diet and dandruff
Eat a high-fiber whole-foods diet.
Avoid saturated animal fats and hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fats and oils.
Avoid refined sugars and processed foods. Both bacteria and yeasts thrive on sugar.
Yogurt and other fermented foods containing active cultures of probiotic bacteria can help clear a yeast infection. Enjoy them often.
Maximize the use of vitamin B in your diet. You can found vitamin B in yeast and raw wheat germ, especially vitamin B6 which is important to control dandruff.
Vitamin B6 can also be found in eggs and cabbage, also found sulphur and beaty minerals which are helpful for skin and hair.
Unpasteurized milk is a good source of vitamin B6, while pasteurization destroys the vitamin B6.
Sometimes dandruff is caused by allergy to some dairy products. In this case alternative sources of vitamin B6 are prefered.
Other allergens that can cause dandruff are chocolate, nuts and shellfish, refined carbohydrates in white flour or sugar.

Dandruff Nutrition & Supplements
Essential fatty acids decrease dryness of the skin, which can contribute to dandruff. For their content of the essential fatty acids, take 500 to 1,000 milligrams of black currant seed, borage, evening primrose, or flaxseed oil twice daily.

Probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidbacterium bifidum) are cleansing to the body. They foster healthy flora and help fight yeast infection. Take a probiotic supplement as recommended on the product label. If you are allergic to milk, select a dairy-free product.

Selenium is an antioxidant that fights free radicals and is cleansing to the body. It also tends to have beneficial effects specifically for dandruff. Take 100 micrograms twice daily.

Vitamin A and beta-carotene are necessary for healthy skin. Take up to 10,000 international units of vitamin A and 20,000 international units of beta-carotene daily for two weeks.

Note: If your pregnant, or intended to get pregnant, or if you have liver disease, consult your doctor before taking supplemental vitamin A. Pregnant women should not ingest a total of more than 25,000 international units of supplemental vitamin A per week from all sources.

Vitamin-E oil can be used topically to soften scales and nourish the scalp. Simply massage it into the affected areas and leave it in place overnight (or for at least thirty minutes), then shampoo.

Homeopathy treatment for dandruff
Sepia: If you have a moist, greasy scalp, and is sensitive around the hair roots then sepia is preffered.
Graphites: If you have a encrusted, moist, smelly scalp, and crusting behind ears then graphites is recommended.
Arsenicum: It is prefered when you have a dry, sensitive, hot scalp and is very itchy at night, also round bare patches of scalp showing through hair.
Natrum mur: It is preferred when you have lank and greasy hair with crusting around the hairline.
Sulphur: If you have a thick dandruff and the scalp becomes dry after washing. Wants to scratch at night which leads to scalp burning then sulphur is helpful over it.
Thuja is good for the person who is cooler and calmer, and who likes settling down under a thick comforter. If Sulfur doesn't clear the condition, take one dose of Thuja 30x or 9c twice daily for two days.