Dandruff is a very common scalp condition where the excessive whitish,scaly flakes fall from the scalp every time a person combs his/her hair or rubs the head. Dandruff is caused by a common yeast cell pityresporum ovale which causes an inflammation of the scalp and produces the whitish flakes.  A morbid condition of the scalp is the emergence of dandruff which is caused by the excessive secretion of the sebaceous glands.

Some sign and symptoms related to dandruff include:

• Skin affected by seborrhoeic dermatitis is usually red and greasy with a white or yellowish flaky scale.
• Cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp).
• There is sometimes itching or soreness and the scalp can feel tight.
• Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) which is a highly contagious fungal infection occurring primarily in children younger than age 10.
• Psoriasis which is a skin disorder causes an accumulation of dead skin cells that form thick silvery scales.

Treatment of dandruff :
 

• Anti-dandruff shampoos containing the antimicrobials selenium sulphide (eg Selsun ) or zinc pyrithione are helpful for mild dandruff.
• Shampoos with coal tar (some brand names: DHS Tar, Neutrogena T/Gel, Polytar) may be used 3 times a week.
• Corticosteroid cream or lotion.
• Mix 8 tablespoons of peanut oil with the juice of half a lemon. Rub the mixture into your hair, leave on for 10 minutes and then wash as usual.
• Antifungal shampoo containing ketoconazole (eg Nizoral dandruff shampoo) provides a mild, yet effective treatment for dandruff.

What causes dandruff?

Dandruff is caused by micro-organism called pityrosporum-ovle which are present in every body's scalp. Symptoms of dandruff get aggravated when exposed to dust, UV light, harsh chemical based shampoo, hair dyes etc., this results in increase in number of microbes which causes unhealthy residue over the scalp which leads to dandruff, which is the cause of unhealthy, lifeless hair and may result in excessive loss of hair too. Other factors contributing to the excessive production of dandruff include:

 1. Heredity

2. Lack of proper Diet

3. Environment

4. Dry or Greasy Scalp is etc.

5. Stress, anxiety and tension.

Home remedies for Dandruff Cure and Treatment:

1. Oil your hair with pure warm coconut oil and apply juice of half a lemon onto the scalp.
2. Massage the scalp with almond oil and steam bathe your hair. Steam bath is taken by dipping the towel in boiling water and wrapping it around the hair, like a turban. Do not let the corners of your towel be wet, so that you can hold them. When your towel gets cold, repeat it thrice or four times; Steaming opens the scalp pores and increases the capacity of the hair to absorb oil at its roots.
3. You can also take a spoonful lemon juice, mix it with two spoonfuls vinegar and massage on the scalp. Wash your hair with an egg shampoo.
4. Take on part almond oil and pure sulphur in same quantity, mix and add 'surgical spirit' in the quantity equal to the above two. Put four parts distilled water or rose water and rub on the scalp.