Although dandruff is a typically harmless skin condition, it can be embarrassing and stop both men and women from wearing darker clothes in fear of their shedding. Dandruff is not a contagious condition, and most commonly only causes dry skin that flakes off into the rest of the hair and sometimes onto the shoulders of your suit jacket or sweater. Dandruff can also be a result of not washing your hair often enough because without frequent shampooing the oil and skin cells can build up on the scalp and eventually flake off. Washing the hair too much could lead to dry skin, which may flake off into the mane of the hair.
There are several remedies to try at home before seeking a dermatologist is necessary. Brush hair from scalp down to the ends of the hair, or comb hair if it’s shorter. This will spread the natural oils within the hair strands throughout the body of the hair. Natural oils are good for the hair, and keep it from drying out and breaking.
Dermatologists will often recommend anti-dandruff shampoos. Because dandruff is such a common scalp problem, there is a wide variety of options, so in case you don’t respond well to one, you can always try another to see what puts your dandruff under control.
In some cases, dandruff can be an indicator of a more serious condition such as seborrheic dermatitis, a condition of oil irritated skin. Allergies to the scalp can also result in unusual shedding. Psoriasis and other dandruff inducers such as certain types of fungus like malassezia can be the source of flaking.