How to treat dandruff

What is dandruff (also called scurf and historically termed Pityriasis capitis)?What are its causes? It is described as small, loose flakes of dead skin on the scalp or trapped in the hair.Scientists had identified new fungi of the Malassezia that seem to exist in overabundance on the scalps of those affected with the disease. When this fungus grows excessively on the scalp, it causes the scalp to flake and itch. Other possible causes are poor skin conditions (eczema, which causes increased shredding of normal scalp skin cells), poor diet, poor hygiene, genetic disposition (known as seborrheic dermatitis, aka seborrhea) and hormonal imbalances.

According to the Encyclopedia of Natural Healing by Siegfried Gursche, nutrition plays an important role in controlling dandruff. Dandruff can be caused by inefficient carbohydrates and fatty-acid metabolism. Diet supplement with B-complex vitamins which may alleviate dandruff condition.

For instance, nutritional yeast and raw wheat germ are two good sources of B vitamins. Eggs and cabbage are also preferred as they provide vitamin B6 in addition to supplying sulfur which is a nature's beauty mineral for the scalp. The intake of milk and other dairy products, seafood and fatty treats should be limited as these foods tend to exacerbate dandruff.

Reduce salt, sugar, alcohol and animal proteins in your diet helps eliminating dandruff problem. Alternatively, eat mostly whole grains, leafy fresh vegetables, beans and fruits. Consuming one tablespoon of flaxseed oildaily (flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids), which may be effective in curing a variety of skin conditions including dandruff.

Avoid using hair products that contain alcohol, as they will dries out the scalp and worsened the dandruff problem. As onions are rich in sulfur in general, you can cut a fresh onion in half and rub it on the scalp. Though it looks strange, but it helps. You my also use a sulfur based soap to wash your hair once a week. Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is also suggested to use to massage into the scalp, as this oil helps to relieve scaling and itching.

In mild dandruff, frequent washings alone can be helpful. For more serious and recalcitrant dandruff conditions, a tar shampoo should be used to reduce the growth of top skin cells on the scalp. For best result, it is recommended that the shampoo be left on the hair for at least 10 minutes until the end of the shower, then rinse, lather, and rinse again. The important thing is to ensure that the scalp is clean.

Before shampooing, brush your scalp carefully to loosen scales. Apart from this, the scalp should be massaged gently to loosen flakes and the hair and scalp rinsed thoroughly. Yoga headstands help improving circulation. Vigorous brushing of the scalp and hair is also recommended. Brushing the scalp with a good hair brush encourages blood circulation to the scalp and may deter dandruff. Alternating hot and cold water on the head also increases circulation of the scalp.

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