Dandruff can occur on almost anyone’s scalp. It is an unpleasant disorder as it can lead to uncomfortable situations in which you find yourself scratching your itchy scalp and there are white flaks all over your blouse’s collar. Almost everyone will suffer from dandruff at some point in life. Some cases will be more serious than others, however. Knowing how to treat and manage dandruff could make your lfe easier.

What is dandruff and what causes it?
During teen years, hormonal changes cause the skin in your scalp to become oilier which causes dead skin flakes on your scalp to gather. Yes, I just said oilier…dandruff is not a sign of dry scalp or hair. In fact, people with oily skin are more likely to find themselves fighting the battle against dandruff. Normally, this dead skin and oil build-up goes unnoticed and is washed away when you shampoo your hair.

However, in serious dandruff cases, the sebum produced by hair follicles, which is a high amount in those with oily skin, is absorbed by the dead skin flakes. At the same time a serum which is produced as a pre-inflammatory secretion binds together the flakes and makes them tighter and larger. This is usually a sign of a serious type of dandruff case called seborrheic dermatitis.
An excessively oily scalp or yeast infection can cause dandruff. Obviously, if regular shampooing is not getting rid of dandruff on your head, you will know that you may have a serious problem. You should be able to simply remove dandruff on an oily scalp by shampooing and massaging your scalp for about 5 minutes then thoroughly rinsing out the shampoo.
An anti-dandruff shampoo or treatment will help when it comes to treating fungal dandruff causing infections. They will fight the infection and dissolve the dead skin to help your scalp become flake free.

Anti-Dandruff remedies
Philip Kingsley, a hair expert, wrote in his book, The Hair Bible that clearing common dandruff can easily be done with anti-itch or anti-flake shampoos. However, if your case is more than just ‘’common’’ dandruff, you could ask your pharmacist to whip up a cream for you. All they’ll need to do is to mix 1% each of sulphur and salicylic acid and then mix it in an oil and water emulsion.
With this mixture, you apply it before shampooing in partings. You then have to massage it in and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes, before rinsing it off. This could be a very effective way of clearing your head of dandruff.
Philip Kingsley also recommended a formula that you can create at home. You can thoroughly mix equal amounts of any mouthwash and witch hazel. You can apply this mixture after rinsing off your shampoo and conditioner as well as towel drying your hair. Apply the mixture to your scalp and rub it in, then style your hair as usual.
You can use the above recommended methods together if your wish.

Ingredients to Look Out For in Anti-Dandruff products
However, if you feel that you’d rather use professionally made anti-dandruff products, you need to understand what you will be buying. This will help you make the right choice and not be disappointed in a product that claims to be anti-dandruff, but is not effective.
One or a few of the following ingredients should be included in an anti-dandruff product. Normally, one of them is labelled as the Active Ingredient – especially on high end anti-dandruff products.
· Coal Tar
· Salicylic Acid and Sulphur
· Ketoconazole
· Selenium Sulfide
· Zinc Pyrithione

So, next time you are at the store, looking for an anti-dandruff shampoo or scalp treatment, make sure one of these ingredients plays a major part in the ingredients included. Usually the most important ingredients are included at the beginning of the ingredients list with the least important at the end.
If none of the above treatments work for you, you may have a more serious issue such as psoriasis, pityriasis amientacea or neurodermatitis. Try not to panic after seeing these big words, these are problems that can be diagnosed and treated with the help of a doctor.

Article by Sharon Kariwo