What is dandruff

Dandruff is related to seborrheic dermatitis (SD), which causes itchy and flaky skin, but it only occurs on the scalp. It’s so common that it affects about halfTrusted Source of the global adult population.

Most people focus on the flakes. Itching, on the other hand, may be the most uncomfortable side effect.

So what exactly is your scratchy scalp trying to tell you? Read up on the most common symptoms of dandruff and ways to get your scalp healthy again.

Symptoms

Flakes and an itchy, scaly scalp are the main symptoms of dandruff. White, oily flakes typically accumulate in your hair and on your shoulders and often get worse during the fall and winter months, when the air is dry.

Additional symptoms can include:

erythema, which is red patches on the skin of the scalp, and sometimes on the face
eyebrow dandruff
hair loss
dry flakes on the skin of the face

How to get rid of dandruff

Getting rid of dandruff can consist of taking medications that you can get both through prescriptions and over the counter. There are also some home remedies you can try.

Treatment

The best way to get rid of dandruff is to use dandruff shampoo and scalp treatments. The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) recommends taking the following steps:

Follow instructions. Since there are many different types of dandruff treatment shampoos, and each comes with its own instructions, it’s important that you carefully read and follow the directions of the product of your choice. Be sure you know if you’re supposed to leave the shampoo on your scalp for a certain amount of time before washing, or if you should wash out immediately.
Different skin and hair types require different care. African American people may only need to wash once a week with a dandruff shampoo. Asian American people and those who are white may need to alternate between different dandruff shampoos that contain different ingredients to achieve the best results. Your best course of action may be to speak with a board-certified dermatologist who can recommend the best products for your hair and skin type, and the frequency with which you should use them.

Shampoos for dandruff can be medicated (which requires a prescription to purchase) or available over the counter. Usually, this means that the amount the medication in medicated shampoos is just higher.

Typical ingredients include ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, coal tar, and zinc pyrithione. These ingredients usually loosen the dandruff flakes from the scalp or they fight the overgrowth of the Malassezia fungus, which may play a role in the development of the dandruff.