Dandruff is a common condition that causes the skin on the scalp to flake. It isn't contagious or serious. But it can be embarrassing and difficult to treat. Mild dandruff can be treated with a gentle daily shampoo. If that doesn't work, a medicated shampoo may help.
Dandruff is actually quite tricky to define because it overlaps with seborrheic dermatitis (a chronic form of eczema) and other skin conditions that lead to a scaly scalp.
Dandruff is a scalp condition that generally occurs during winter. The scalp starts to flake off in response to the cold and dry weather. As the condition goes unnoticed like other little things, you may experience chronic itching and inflammation.
dandruff occurs, essentially, when small bits of dry skin are shed from the scalp. You might spy these flakes on your hair or on your shoulders.
According to ayurveda, your dandruff results from an imbalance in your doshas. Dry, flaky dandruff means your 'pitta' and 'vata' doshas are aggravated and if your dandruff is wet or oily it means an imbalance of 'kapha-vata' doshas.
Dandruff may occur because of external factors or an underlying health condition.
There are a few other factors that can make dandruff worse if not treated on time, they are-
Poor hygiene-You should wash your hair three times a week, shampooing every day is not good for the hair. Failing to do this can result in the accumulation of dead skin cells and product buildup on your scalp. This gives bacteria and microbes the perfect environment to thrive and causes problems like scalp infection and dandruff.
Some Skin conditions-skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis are more prone to develop dandruff than others. If you have naturally dry skin, then you too might suffer from dandruff, especially during winter when the ‘vata’ dosha gets aggravated.
Diet-
An unhealthy diet or one that lacks essential minerals and vitamins can also lead to dandruff. Vitamin B complexes, zinc, and omega fatty acids are essential for healthy and nourished skin. Therefore, it is necessary to consume healthy oils, fresh fruits, proteins, and vegetables to prevent this problem. Consuming artificial colors, flavors and a lot of spices can lead to inflammation and dandruff.
Scalp Allergy-
Knowingly or unknowingly, you come in contact with an allergen, and the next thing you know, you can’t help scratching your head. The irritant or allergen may be pollen from a wildflower, water scales, or a hair product you weren’t supposed to use.
Weather-
During winter, the humidity in the air decreases, and so does the number of hair washes per week, causing a double effect on our scalp. As the scalp becomes dry, it flakes off as dandruff. Cold and dry weather is one of the major causes of itchy scalp. If you have a naturally dry scalp, it is recommended to put oil in your hair daily to prevent dryness.
Mental stress-Stress weakens your immune defenses and increases 'pitta dosha' in the body. When that happens, the body produces excess sebum, and the lowered immune defense allows bacteria and fungi to grow. This results in dandruff on the scalp.
Diet
