Dandruff is a NON contagious SCALP CONDITION caused by excessive shedding of dead skin from the scalp. Dandruff is typically associated with itching as dried skin turns into flakes and get attached to accumulated oil on scalp and blocks the pores resulting in severe itching.
Even in healthy individuals scalp skin shedding will happen but it happens around once in a month but those suffering with dandruff this shedding and flaking happens at every 3-7 days making flaking a real problem.
Dandruff is one of the major reason for excessive hair fall and hair thinning. Dandruff shows symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis (a chronic form of eczema )
DANDRUFF typical symptoms
- White flakes on the scalp
- Dryness of the scalp
- Weak scalp skin
- Inflammation of eye lids
- Sometimes may spread to face, chest and back
REASONS for DANDRUFF
- Oily skin is one of the most important factor for dandruff.
As scalp skin sheds excess oil a fungal micro-organism/yeast called Malassezia globosa feeds on oils on the scalp and break down this oil and body perceives these break down particles as an irritant and produce excess skin cells resulting in accumulation of more dead skin over scalp and in turn these dead skin turns into flakes.
- Hyper activity of scalp skin cells
- Exposure to pollutants and dust
- Seasonal changes and excessive humidity
- Stress and anxiety
- Other medical reasons include
Seborrheic Dermatitis If you have a particularly tough dandruff.
- Un controlled Eczema in any part of the body
- Contact dermatitis is skin irritation caused by either an allergen or an irritant, resulting in an itchy, possibly painful rash can also be a reason for Dandruff.
- Surprisingly dry skin during cold winter is also a reason for Dandruff.
- Poor hair cleaning habits may be one of the prominent reasons for Dandruff poor hair cleaning habits include not washing hair at regular intervals, using harsh shampoos. We suggest to use natural hair cleaners to prevent Dandruff.
- Hormonal imbalances too play a big role as androgen hormones like Testosterone over stimulates activity of sebaceous glands resulting in excess skin production.
- Weak immune system triggers Dandruff
- Other skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema triggers Dandruff
- Excessive hair coloring
DANDRFF- Ayurvedic Perspective
As per Ayurveda Dandruff is a shudra Roga. Reason being imbalance of doshas. More importently doshas like Vata and Pitta play significant role.
Pitta and Vata when aggravated results in Ama,and this Ama being a heat nature ( Ayurvedic context of heat) aggravates skin cells to produce more skin resulting in flaking and itching
DANDRUFF- AYURVEDIC TREATMENT
As a first step of treatment our qualified and experienced Ayurvedic doctors evaluate and finds out reason for dosha. Ayurvedic approach works on the root cause of the problem. Once root cause is found then treatment can be suggested as per the dosha impurity or dosha imbalance.
Treatment may include
Ayurvedic medicines, ayurvedic oils and ayurvedic creams.
Please note all above medicines or oils will be prepared by qualified Doctors themselves as per the patient requirements and dosha conditions.
