Dandruff in your hair, what to do?

What is dandruff?

If you suffer from dandruff in your hair, you will probably notice this from several things. For example, you can have an irritated scalp, itching on your head, a dry or very oily scalp or white,little flakes that are visible in your hair or on the shoulders. Dandruff is very annoying to have and can also be persistent, especially when using the wrong hair products.
Hair products are often also the culprit for an itchy scalp. Men and women who use hair wax or gel every day are more likely to develop an itchy scalp. Or think about a lot of hairspray. All of these products can build up on the scalp leading to irritations such as itching and dandruff. A quality shampoo does not contain SLS or sulfate. Find out why here.

The cause of dandruff

Dandruff is generally thought to be the result of overactive sebaceous glands on the itchy scalp. This is why dandruff (also called Seborrhoeic Eczema) usually doesn't develop until the teenage years, when all those extra hormones in your body boost the skin's sebum production. Dandruff is caused by a fungal infection of the scalp and hair follicles. In addition to having an effect on the scalp and causing itching, yeast can weaken the hair root and lead to hair loss. Fortunately, hair loss from dandruff alone is rare. It only occurs when the dandruff is very severe and left untreated for a long time. Fortunately, dandruff can be treated well with a quality shampoo.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that can develop not only on the scalp, but on the entire body. Psoriasis can be recognized by severe flakes on the scalp and the rest of the body. In psoriasis, the scalp can be very itchy and the white, thicker flakes are stuck on the scalp, so this is different from dandruff. About 50 percent of people living with psoriasis develop scalp psoriasis. This condition can lead to hair loss. If you think you have Psoriasis, we recommend that you see your doctor.

Tinea Capitis

The 'Tinea capitis' or 'ringworm': is also known as head fungus. This often arises from a fungal infection on the head, eyebrows and eyelashes. This condition usually occurs in children and hardly ever in adults, while dandruff only develops from puberty. The main fungus is very contagious and is spread through the peeling skin flakes. Treatment for this fungus usually consists of an anti-fungal treatment prescribed by a doctor. In addition, daily washing with an anti-fungal shampoo is recommended to prevent the spread of fungal spores.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is an inflammation of the top part of the hair follicle and often this inflammation develops as a result of an infection with a bacteria, fungus, virus or yeast. A pus head often appears on the spot of the hair follicle. This often goes together with itchy, irritating or even painful skin. This skin condition often irritates the hair follicles, this can be caused by the excessive use of oily (skin) products. This skin condition occurs in both men and women of all ages and is not contagious. Folliculitis usually resolves on its own. If it recurs more often or if it lasts too long, we recommend that you go to the doctor with this.

Help, my head itches!

An itchy scalp occurs in many people. Persistent itching can be caused by a number of factors and can be a result of conditions such as dandruff and psoriasis as explained above. It can also arise from the use of (wrong) hair products. In some cases, the itching may be accompanied by flakes, scaly patches, bumps and hair loss. Hair loss can occur when aggressive scratching or deterioration of the scalp condition affects the structure or strength of the hair follicle. Once the underlying scalp condition has been treated, the hair usually grows back.

What to do about dandruff?

In combating itching and dandruff in the hair, it is important to remove the underlying cause and let the scalp repair itself. A mild and nourishing shampoo and conditioner can help with this. To combat dandruff and prevent itching, it is best to look for a high-quality anti-dandruff shampoo with ingredients such as Ketoconazole or Piroctone olamine. These ingredients are known to reduce inflammation and be gentle on the itchy scalp. If, in addition to dandruff or itching, you also suffer from thinning hair or hair loss, you can also opt for a hair growth-stimulating shampoo with these ingredients such as the Neofollics shampoo. This way you tackle hair loss and itching and dandruff. Make sure that the products you use do not contain sulfates, parabens or other harmful substances. You can read why this is important here in our blog about sulfates.

Do you still have questions about itching, dandruff or a sensitive scalp? View the products we recommend for these problems below or request personal advice for free via email or on this page. We are happy to help you!