Dandruff is a condition of the scalp that causes flakes of skin to appear. Dandruff is a common condition, which is marked by itching. In some cases it can be embarrassing and not easy to treat. The exact cause of dandruff, also known as scurf or Pityriasis simplex capillitii is unknown however these sneaky reasons could be the real culprit behind your sudden appearance of dandruff!
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.
OVER STYLING OF HAIR
Using thick pomades or certain oils can potentially worsen dandruff. Yeast feeds off lipids and can proliferate in their presence. Cut back on hair sprays, styling gels, and mousses when possible. These styling products can build up on your hair and scalp and cause oiliness.
YEAST
People who are sensitive to yeast have a slightly higher risk of having dandruff. 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, 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.
IRRITATED OILY SKIN (SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS)
This condition, one of the most frequent causes of dandruff, is marked by red, greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales. Seborrheic dermatitis may affect your scalp and other areas rich in oil glands, such as your eyebrows, the sides of your nose and the backs of your ears, your breastbone, your groin area, and sometimes your armpits.
THE OPPORTUNISTIC MALASSEZIA FUNGUS
Malassezia lives on the scalps of most adults, but for some, it irritates the scalp. This can irritate your scalp and cause more skin cells to grow. The extra skin cells die and fall off, making them appear white and flaky in your hair or on your clothes. Why malassezia irritates some scalps isn’t known.
STRESS
Stress can worsen any skin condition. Stress impairs your immune system and can provoke dandruff flare-ups- particularly in the cases where the dandruff is itchy. Stress] can perpetuate an itch-scratch cycle: the more the patient scratches, the itchier it becomes. Incorporate relaxation techniques into your everyday routine. Try yoga, a daily walk, or some deep breathing.
NOT ENOUGH SHAMPOOING
Some people say that if you don’t shampoo enough there can be a buildup of oil and dead skin cells, causing dandruff. However, many experts doubt this is true.
ILLNESS
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.