Dandruff constitutes a familiar affliction and one that will impact nearly all of us at some point in our lives. It is an itchy, bothersome and relentless skin condition of the scalp and is often hard to hide especially in severe cases. Dandruff is induced by the overproduction of a naturally occurring fungus called Pityrosporum Ovale, which can be activated by a hormonal imbalance or instability, an overly oily scalp or a dietary insufficiency.

While we all slough off dead skin cells from every surface of our body, dandruff sufferers have a broader cell turnover rate than most. In persons who suffer from dandruff there is a propensity for these cells to bunch together creating flakes which are frequently very visible. Dandruff can cause either an excessively dry scalp with itchy white flakes that may be waxlike or greasy or dandruff can manifest as an oily greasy scalp with scales. In a few cases, nevertheless, what seems to be dandruff is merely the innate peeling off that is a result of a dry scalp.

Most instances of dandruff are successfully addressed with an nonprescription anti-dandruff shampoo, with active components which can include: Zinc Pyrithione, Climbazole, Octopirox and Ketoconazole. If nonprescription shampoo does not solve your dandruff problems, see your physician. They will be able prescribe a more concentrated product. If you experience a severe case of dandruff it is crucial to try and fix the situation as dandruff can cause your hair roots to become fragile which can in some instances contribute to hair loss. Ultimately dandruff keeps air from flowing to your hair roots.

Some products are designed for daily use or every time you wash your hair, although others merely necessitate episodic use. It is important that you read the label and follow the instructions carefully. In addition, some experts advocate alternating between an anti-dandruff shampoo and your regular shampoo from day to day. It might also be helpful to massage your scalp while shampooing to loosen up the dandruff flakes, however be sure not to scratch your scalp.

It is important to note that using a hair dryer too frequently, over processing (perms and coloring) your hair and excess use of hairsprays and gels may exacerbate your dandruff. Try and grant your scalp a rest and only do what is essential until you get your dandruff in check.

If you are seeking a more natural cure, some folks claim taking two beaten eggs and two tablespoons of water and applying the substance to wet hair can help alleviate dandruff. You let the substance stay on your hair between ten and fifteen minutes after you have massaged it into your scalp and then just rinse it out of your hair.

It has also been suggested that placing three drops of tea tree oil in a modest amount of shampoo or a couple drops of rosemary essential oil to your conditioner can help cure dandruff.

Although dandruff can sometimes cause embarrassment it is an extremely common problem which we will all face at some point in our lives. There is vast variety of dandruff shampoos and products on the market today due to the increased demand so it is no longer necessary for anyone to have to go untreated.