Natural and home remedies for dandruff and scalp problems.
Archive for August, 2009
Dandruff – A Global Problem
Aug 16th
Richard Ealom asked:
Introduction
Dandruff is a global phenomenon and many people find that it can cause social or self-esteem problems. It is not an organism like lice; it is just dead skin that accumulates in the scalp and can cause either an overly dry scalp with itchy white flakes that may be waxy or greasy or can manifest as an oily greasy scalp with scales. Scales usually occur as small, round, white-to-gray patches on top of the head. The condition is often known as “dry scalp”, but people with oily scalps tend to suffer the most. This problem can happen at any age but is most commonly found in people between the ages of 12 and 80. Dandruff is not contagious and is normally not a serious problem. It is believed to be related to a fungus known as malassezia (formerly termed pityrosporum) that lives on the scalp of most people.
Hair
Dandruff is unlikely to be the cause of hair loss. Rarely, it can be a manifestation of an allergic reaction to chemicals in hair gels/sprays, hair oils, or sometimes even dandruff medications like ketoconazole. Hair sprays, styling gels, mousses and hair waxes can all build up on your hair and scalp, making them oilier. Thorough cleansing of the scalp and the hair will keep flakes out of sight for up to three days.
Shampoos
Most cases can be easily treated with specialized shampoos. One of the best known treatments for years was Head & Shoulders. Most other anti-dandruff shampoos work by normalizing the pH of the scalp. The new shampoos have changed quite a bit and have become a lot more sophisticated. But shampoos aren’t all alike, and you may need to experiment until you find one that works best for you.
Shampoos are classified according to their active ingredient: Zinc pyrithione shampoos (Suave Shampoo, Head & Shoulders). Anti-fungal/anti-dandruff shampoos containing ketoconazole have been shown to be more effective than zinc pyrithione. The newest addition, ketoconazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that may work when other shampoos fail. But if you’re still scratching your head after several weeks of experimenting with over-the-counter (OTC) shampoos or if your scalp becomes red or inflamed, see your doctor or dermatologist.
Conclusion
Dandruff usually begins at puberty – about the same time as acne and can manifest as either very dry and flaky scalp or very oily scalp with flakes. It is a chronic condition that can almost always be controlled, but it may take a little patience and persistence. Dandruff can affect many different people in every age group, cannot be cured, but it can be controlled.
Scalp Itching As You Get Older
Aug 11th
Arianna Bell asked:
Is Scalp Itching Getting Worse As You Get Older?
If you are now suffering from scalp itching then you probably realize that it has gotten worse as you have gotten older. So many people discuss anti aging of the face, anti wrinkles and similar subjects but very few discuss what it takes to keep your scalp youthful. This is because most people don’t understand that the hair grows from the scalp, actually deep inside the hair follicle, that is rooted in the scalp. This ultimately means that the health of your hair is dependent on the health of the scalp!
As we age several things happen inside our scalp or hair follicle that can cause scalp problems including a mild, moderate or severe scalp itch that may or may not be accompanied by scalp flakes and redness. Here are the details of what it takes to maintain a healthy scalp:
First the opening of the hair follicle must remain unclogged and open. This is important since the hair must have adequate oxygen that is pulled from the opening of the hair follicle. If the follicle becomes clogged at all it can also allow certain bacteria to start breeding underneath the hair follicle opening, down near the root of the hair. This is similar to how acne starts in the skin but it is much more difficult to solve if you don’t know the hair products to use. This leads to a scalp imbalance since the first defense is for the scalp to emit oils to protect itself. However, these oils can lead to even more oils conditions since the oil is trapped in the hair follicle. Once the oils start flowing then other conditions that thrive on scalp oils such as dandruff and dermatitis including seborrhea dermatitis and seborrheic eczema can begin to take hold.
What Hair Products Will Work For Scalp Itching and Other Problems?
Very few products are designed to re-balance the scalp and get normal conditions restored. As a matter of fact most shampoos and hair products actually lead to worse problems. Clarifying shampoos do not get deep enough nor are they strong enough to unclog sebum plugs. We suggest that you find an herbal or botanical based hair care products that are designed to get busy on the scalp to create the perfect environment for healthy hair growth. Look for deep cleansing and purifying herbs in high concentrations in both your shampoos and conditioners.