Dandruff, a condition in which the skin on the scalp becomes flaky, has many causes:
1. Malassezia fungus
Malassezia is a fungus that is naturally found on our scalps. In some people, it grows excessively and quickly destroys skin cells by sucking the oil from the scalp. This is what causes the flakes.
2. Seborrheic Dermatitis
This condition is seen in people with oily skin. It is characterized by red, swollen scalp and sticky, yellow or white flakes.
3. Dry Scalp
Excessive dryness of the skin can cause dandruff, which looks like small white flakes. The main reason for this is lack of moisture.
4. Excessive or insufficient use of shampoo
In case of deficiency: If the head is not washed properly, oiliness and dead cells accumulate and cause dandruff.
In case of excess: Using shampoo containing excessive chemicals can cause dryness by depriving the scalp of its natural oiliness.
5. Improper diet and mental stress
Dandruff can be caused by deficiency of vitamin B and zinc. In addition, excessive mental stress can affect the body’s immune system and cause dandruff.
6. Use of chemicals (Contact Dermatitis)
Some chemicals in hair dyes and hair sprays can cause allergies on the scalp and cause itchy skin like dandruff.
Things that can be done at home to reduce dandruff:
Neem water: Washing your head with water boiled with neem can reduce infection.
Onion juice: Applying onion juice is beneficial to prevent fungal infections on the scalp.
Lemon juice: The acidity in lemon can help maintain the pH level of the scalp.