Other names for Dandruff

Seborrheic Dermatitis (Scalp)
Scalp Flaking
Scalp Dryness
Pityriasis Capitis

Synopsis of Dandruff

Dandruff is a common scalp condition characterized by flaking of the skin on the scalp, sometimes accompanied by mild itching or irritation. While it is not contagious or serious, it can be persistent and cosmetically bothersome. Dandruff can result from dry skin, excess oil production, fungal overgrowth (Malassezia yeast), sensitivity to hair products (contact dermatitis), or a combination of these factors.

It typically worsens in cold, dry weather and may fluctuate with stress or hormonal changes. In more severe cases, dandruff can evolve into seborrheic dermatitis, where oily, inflamed patches develop not only on the scalp but also on the eyebrows, sides of the nose, and behind the ears.

Types of Dandruff:

• Dry Scalp Dandruff: Fine, loose white flakes often caused by dry air or harsh shampoos.

• Oily Scalp Dandruff: Larger, greasy flakes caused by excess sebum and yeast overgrowth.

• Seborrheic Dermatitis: More severe form with yellowish, oily scales and redness.

• Product Buildup Dandruff: From heavy hair products irritating the scalp.

Common Causes:

• Malassezia yeast overgrowth on the scalp

• Dry skin (especially in winter)

• Excess oil (sebum) production

• Sensitivity to shampoos, conditioners, or hair dyes

• Infrequent shampooing (allowing oils and skin cells to accumulate)

• Poor scalp hygiene

• Stress, immune suppression, hormonal imbalances

Severity Factors:

• Symptoms worsen in cold, dry conditions

• Oily skin types are more prone to seborrheic dandruff

• Chronic stress can exacerbate symptoms

• In some people, dandruff may persist despite good hygiene and requires medicated treatment

When to See a Doctor:

• Severe flaking, redness, or swelling that does not improve with over-the-counter treatments

• Signs of infection (yellow discharge, pain)

• Hair loss associated with scalp irritation

• Dandruff spreading to other areas (ears, eyebrows, nose)

• If psoriasis or eczema of the scalp is suspected

Natural remedies for Dandruff

Gentle, regular shampooing: Removes excess oils and skin flakes

Use of anti-fungal shampoos: Containing zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, or ketoconazole

Tea tree oil: Diluted in carrier oil or shampoos (antifungal and anti-inflammatory)

Apple cider vinegar rinses: May restore scalp pH balance (diluted, used carefully)

Scalp massage: Improves circulation and loosens flakes

Coconut oil: Moisturizes dry scalp and has antifungal properties

Manage stress: Meditation, exercise, and adequate sleep

Ingredients

These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Dandruff

Aloe vera
anthocyanins
beta-pinene
bilberry
black currant
blueberry
carrot
clove
coating
turmeric
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
green tea
mustard seed
natural flavor
spruce
oregano
PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
pomegranate
quercetin
resveratrol
silicon
spirulina
thyme
vitamin C
vitamin D
Zinc
Mugwort
Neem tree
commiphora
boxthorne
siler root
hyacinth bean
zanthoxylum
birch
trace minerals
Wintergreen
Menthol oil
melaleuca alternifolia
ash
Angelica archanglica
Amber
apple cider vinegar
Asoka
Agastache
Arisaema erubescens
alpha-terpineol
Arisaema amurense
Ajuga
Artemisia
Almond Oil
Alpha hydroxy acids
Abutua
Asteraceae
Asian Plantain
argan nut oil
Ant
Aster (unspecified)
Atlantic Cedar
Bentonite
Belleric myrobalan
Baphicacanthus cusia
balsam
Betel
bitter grass
bee hive
Birch (unspecified)
Balsam (unspecified)
bee products
Birch
Black Walnut
Black Pepper and White Pepper
benzyl isothiocyanate
Black Mustard
Black Hellebore
borneol
coconut
Chickweed
coconut oil
colloid
Common Plantain
Chinese mugwort
cajuput
California Goldenrod
Camphor
Chinese raisintree
Clivers
Castor
common madia
coconut oil
chrysanthemum
China Rose
Coconut
castile soap
Citrus Unspecified
Ceramides
Chenopodium album
Chinese Cabbage
caratuberside
chrysophanics
diatomaceous earth
Dwarf lilyturf
Emulsion
Eclipta
Echinacea angustifolia
Ethanol
European Golden Rod
fang-feng
flat-stem milk-vetch
Fruit (unspecified)
Fruit acid (mixed)
Five-Leaf Cassia
Fruit acid (unspecified)
fibroblast growth factor
Glycolic acid
gamma-terpinene
Galium
gallotannin
Ginger oleoresin
Glycoprotein (unspecified)
Horn
Himalayan Fir
heal-all
Homalomena
Hellebore
henna
Horsemint
Indian Mustard
Isatis
Indian Redwood
Ignatius bean
Japanese Mint
Ledebouriella
Lipids (unspecified)
lodhtree
Lingustilides
Lycopodium
labrador tea
Ligusticum
Lewis's monkey flower
Mesua
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Mustard (unspecified)
Menthol
marigold
Mother of Pearl
Nucno Pichana
Natural flavor(s)
Naphthoquinone (unspecified)
oregano
Oat Oil
Osmanthus
Origanum (unspecified)
orange pigment
Pine
Paris polyphylla
Peucedanum
Prickly Ash (Unspecified)
Prickly ash (mixed)
Plantain
Plantain (unspecifed)
Quisqualis
Red Sandalwood
Red root (unspecified)
ricinoleic acid
Sophora flavescens
Siler
Southern Prickly Ash
Spilanthes
Sichuan Lovage
Sichuan Fritillary
Savory (unspecified)
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Silicon
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sagebrush (unspecified)
Sage-leaf alangium
Sicilian Sumac
Scordinin
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Spanish Thyme
Scabrous Gentian
Shiny-Leaf Prickly Ash
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Silicon
Sulfur
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Sulfur compounds (unspecified)
Sulphur
Sweet Orange alcohol
Terpenoids
Tea (unspecified)
Terpene
Tea
Thymus
Tea (not specified)
Tea Tree
Terpene (unspecified)
Tea Tree Oil
Thymus satureioides
Vitamin B5
Vietnamese sophora
Violet (unspecified)
Viola
Vitricin
White thyme
Worm
Wild Bergamot
Wulinshen
White Hellebore
Wood Betony
Winter Savory
Yuzu
Yellow Ginger
Zinc
Zinc