Seunga (Jasmine) Han, PharmD Candidate
Snowfalls on Your Shoulders
Have you ever gone out wearing a dark shirt, looked down and noticed a small collection of white dust on your shoulders? Dandruff is one of the most common skin problems faced by individuals today. In fact, it’s so common that when walking down any pharmacy, you’ll doubt see dozens of non-prescription products and shampoos.
What’s Dandruff?
Before we get started, let’s settle the debate on what dandruff really is. Dandruff is a skin condition typically characterised by the shedding of small, white, round flakes from the scalp with little to no redness or inflammation. Dandruff only occurs on the scalp but is often absent in bald areas. Fortunately, the condition is fairly simple and easy to recognise, but if you’re experiencing anything else such as irritation or greasy, discoloured scales, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider to rule out other conditions like:1
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Tinea capitis
- Psoriasis
What Are The Causes?
One of the most common causes of dandruff is dry skin caused by dry air. In other cases, some individuals may experience dandruff due to other skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis; where the scalp produces larger, oily, yellow scales from red patches on the scalp. On the other hand, eczema and psoriasis can also contribute to itching, flaking, and inflammation in the scalp.2
Contrary to popular belief, dandruff isn’t associated with uncleanliness or poor hygiene. While dryness and other skin conditions may contribute to dandruff, some may experience dandruff due to the overgrowth of a fungus found naturally on the scalp. While perfectly harmless, the growth of fungus can contribute to flaking and itchiness.1,2,3
How Do You Get Rid of It?
The good news is that there are many products and medications available for treating dandruff. These include antifungal agents, anti-inflammatory agents and ketolytic agents.1 We’ll discuss more details on these agents in part 2, but here, we’ll quickly look at what you can do to manage dandruff without these products.
Regular Shampoo
One of the easiest ways to manage dandruff is to frequently cleanse with shampoo and rinse thoroughly to remove excess oil and scales. It’s recommended that you shampoo at least three times weekly to help remove scales and ease itching. Although, since everyone responds differently, it’s important to decrease or increase the frequency of shampooing based on your response.1 Using shampoo for dry hair may also be helpful in controlling the symptoms of dandruff.
Natural Health Products
While some prefer to use medications, others prefer to take a more natural approach. Based on current evidence, there are a few products that may provide some benefit:
- Quassia amara gel
- Heartsease
- Tea tree oil
- Leaf extract of Solanum chrysotrichum
A word of caution though, the research behind using natural products is limited and mixed. Additionally, not all of these products are standardized in the way they’re manufactured. Always check the label, or consult with a professional before relying on any such products.
The Bottom Line
Dandruff is a skin condition characterised by small, white, round flakes shedding from the scalp. Dandruff only occurs on the head, but rarely occurs in hairless areas. Factors like dryness, skin conditions and fungus can contribute to, or cause dandruff. Shampooing and rinsing thoroughly at least three times a week is the easiest and least expensive way to start managing dandruff. Also, avoiding triggers like harsh soaps and detergents can further minimise the production of flakes.
While some may prefer to take a natural approach, the use of natural health product is not recommended due to inconsistencies and weak evidence. As always, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider to find the option that works the best for you.
We hope you took away something valuable from this piece. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this article or others, feel free to reach out to us on Instagram, Facebook, or at ask@orbishealth.ca with your feedback. We’d love to hear from you.
RESOURCES
- RxTx
- DynaMed Plus
- Canadian Dermatology Association
