Abnormal growth of skin cells in dandruff
You can see the white or pale yellow flakes in your hair or on your shoulders. These are dandruff’s telltale symptoms. Dead skin cells that fall off your scalp are known as dandruff flakes. Your scalp may feel itchy or raw, appear scaly or red, or both when you have dandruff. The flakes come off when your head is scratched or rubbed. When you wear dark clothing, you might catch them more easily.
Causes of dandruff:
1. Skin becoming drier: Dandruff is most frequently caused by dry skin. Compared to other types of dandruff, the flakes from dry skin are typically smaller and less oily.
2. Seborrheic dermatitis: Oily, irritated skin can also result in dandruff. This kind of dandruff is characterized by red, oily skin that is covered in flaky white or yellow scales.
Infrequent shampooing is another major contributor to dandruff. This is because dandruff develops as a result of the buildup of oil and skin cells.
3. Malassezia: Malassezia is a fungus that resembles yeast. Most adults’ scalps retain it, and it is typically harmless. It is important to keep in mind, though, that the yeast can occasionally irritate the scalp and stimulate the growth of extra skin cells. Then the skin cells slough off and becomes flaky.
4. The red, itchy, scaly scalp associated with dandruff is brought on by contact dermatitis, and sensitivity to cosmetics. This condition is brought on by overusing shampoo, hair products, or other chemicals like paraphenylenediamine.
5. Other skin conditions: A wide variety of other skin issues can also lead to dandruff. These include psoriasis and eczema. Eczema is a chronic skin condition that results in itchy, inflamed skin. Another skin condition is psoriasis. It is distinguished by the rapid accumulation of thick scales made of rough, dry, dead skin cells.
What triggers dandruff?
Typically, the dry months are when dandruff is worst. Particularly in the winter, cold, dry weather can exacerbate dandruff. It may be brought on or made worse by stress or exhaustion.
Dandruff can develop on your forehead, eyebrows, eyelashes, or ears in addition to your scalp. Anywhere you have body hair, including your chest, flaky skin could be a sign of dandruff, a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis. Another indication might be oily, greasy, or slightly reddened skin on your body.
All the above scenarios explain the excessive buildup of flakes on the scalp and other parts of the body.
Natural remedies for dandruff
1. Aloe: Aloe gel applied to the scalp may aid in reducing itching and scaliness.
2. Shampoo with tea tree oil: Shampoo containing 5% tea tree oil may help to lessen itchiness and dandruff.
3. Lemongrass hair products: The fungi that cause dandruff may be fought by using a 2% lemongrass shampoo after washing.
Read more about tips to cure dandruff permanently, here.
Mechanism of dandruff formation
A corneocyte cluster that has maintained a high level of cohesion with one another and separates as such from the stratum corneum’s surface is what causes dandruff. A corneocyte is a protein complex made of minute keratin fibers arranged in a structured matrix. Scale size and abundance vary from one location to another and over time. Dandruff frequently contains parakeratotic cells as part of it. Their numbers are correlated with how severe the clinical manifestations are, which seborrhea may also affect.
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Final Thoughts
Though dandruff is common, the causes and mechanisms are not known by individuals. The line of treatment is completely dependent on what the reason is and how fast the dandruff is progressing. In this case, it becomes important to note the symptoms and intensity. In some cases, home remedies may work well, but in other cases, a person may find it difficult to cure the same. Hence, a visit to a health practitioner is a must.
Read more about dandruff here.
