Dandruff is a most common problem that affects every third person in the world. The causes of dandruff are varied and can affect both men and women. Dandruff is a scalp condition known medically as pityriasis capitis.Dr. Flemming Andersen of the Net Doctor Health website states that is the most common scalp problem.The fungus that triggers it appears naturally in up to 90 percent of people, according to Maggie Fox, a Reuters health and science editor, although not all of them will come down with dandruff.
What exactly is dandruff?
Dandruff is a harmless, chronic condition that occurs when the scalp becomes dry or greasy and produces white flakes of dead skin that appear in the hair or on the shoulders. People most often think of dandruff as anything that produces a flaky scalp. Dandruff doesn’t come just from the scalp being dry. Instead, it comes from an overreaction to yeast like fungus called malassezia commonly found on the skin, which leads to an overproduction of oils.
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This causes irritation, and the creation of oily, waxy flakes. Dandruff could also be caused by eczema or psoriasis. As we all know, our skin cells die so that new ones can grow. They are not noticeable because there are hardly too many flakes and when we wash our hair, they get cleaned away.It is when the skin cells on the scalp die excessively that we notice how flaky our scalp is.
The Million Dollar Question: Does Stress Cause Dandruff?
Cosmetic dermatologists say that, to an extent dandruff is due to stress and lack of hygiene. Besides,over-washing hair,washing with harsh shampoos,and frequent use of hair products like gels, sprays and creams, also cause dandruff.Stress is not a direct cause of dandruff, according to the Nizoral dandruff shampoo company.Nizoral explains that no scientific study has ever found a direct causal link between dandruff and stress.
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Stress can affect dandruff even though it does not cause the condition.People under stress often have an impaired immune system. Because of this, they may not be able to effectively fight pityrosporum ovale. This makes it harder to get rid of dandruff if you already have it, Dandruff itself may even raise a person’s stress level because it is an embarrassing condition.The flakes are often visible in the hair and on dark-coloured clothing,making the problem readily apparent.
While studies of general stress are hard to come by (because stress is so subjective), in 2007, a study of 82 patients suffering from depression and anxiety found that 82% had an excessively flaking scalp.
When we are stressed, our body makes substances called glucocorticoids which calm us down. Glucocorticoids can change the make-up of the cells on our scalp,possibly leaving us susceptible to Malassezia and the dandruff it causes. Experts believe there may be a link between stress and many skin problems like dandruff.
Symptoms of dandruff
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The common symptoms of dandruff are white flakes of dead skin in the hair and on the shoulders, as well as an itchy, red, or scaly scalp. Itching is the most common symptom of dandruff. Hair fall is another prime symptoms of dandruff in hair. Dandruff tends to extract the existing oil from the scalp, leaving the hair dry and lifeless. People who have dandruff are more likely to have pimples on their face especially in the forehead area.
Treatment
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While scientists don’t know exactly how stress increases our chances of dandruff,we do know that most dandruff can be cured using anti-fungal shampoos and other home remedies. Now, if you wash your hair during stress then all our problems would disappear! Stress reduction can support a shampoo’s effectiveness by increasing the immune system’s ability to ward off the fungus. Common techniques to fight stress include meditation, deep breathing exercises and regular physical activity. A good night sleep for at least 8 hours also helps to manage stress and overall health of your body. There are dozens of other natural, homemade remedies available to get rid of dandruff.You can use neem paste,curd and lemon mask,castor oil and egg pack, tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, mouthwash, coconut oil and others to treat dandruff.
