Dandruff Home Remedies – Uses & Health Benefits

Home remedies for dandruff

The outer horny layer of the skin is constantly peeling off in everyone. But if this happens too quickly, horny scales become visible on the head. Causes of dandruff are highly active sebaceous glands, stress or dermatitis . Here are some tips for self-treatment.

What are dandruff?

Dandruff is dead skin cells that everyone sheds on a daily basis. As a rule, however, this process goes unnoticed, since the scales cannot normally be seen with the naked eye. This only changes when the skin’s renewal process is disrupted. Then it is possible for a large number of skin cells to form clumps that become visible.

Scalp that gets caught in the hair and is conspicuous there as little white lumps or accumulates on the collar and shoulders is particularly common and particularly annoying.

Who is affected?

Dandruff is divided into the “dry” and “oily” categories. Dry dandruff is usually the result of improper care of hair and scalp. They occur when harsh detergents or blow-drying that is too hot irritate and dry out the scalp, which often peels in response. Greasy dandruff, on the other hand, is very often caused by a fungal infection .

The skin fungus Pityrosporum ovale, which belongs to the group of yeast fungi, feels particularly comfortable on an oily scalp. It ensures a constant overproduction of the sebaceous glands and thus causes dandruff. In addition, the so-called seborrheic eczema can be responsible for a change in the scalp. With this disorder, yellowish scales form, under which the skin is usually red or inflamed. The causes of seborrheic eczema have not yet been finally clarified, but the involvement of a yeast fungus is also suspected.

causes

Furthermore, there are a number of other causes that can be responsible for head or body dandruff. These include the skin diseases psoriasis (psoriasis) and atopic eczema ( atopic dermatitis ). Allergies , especially allergic reactions to shampoo or care products and to substances in textiles that come into direct contact with the skin, can also lead to dandruff .

Dandruff is basically harmless, but as soon as it becomes visible, it often causes feelings of disgust. Those affected are very often ashamed of their suffering, which leads to an impairment of their quality of life. If dandruff is accompanied by severe itching and the affected person constantly scratches, secondary infections can also occur, which can be accompanied by inflammation and, in severe cases, abscesses . This is not only possible on the head, but also on the body, especially in the case of psoriasis or neurodermatitis. At the latest when dandruff is no longer just a purely cosmetic problem, a dermatologist should be consulted.

What helps against dandruff?

  • Grandma’s home remedy for dandruff is a conditioner from the herb garden. For this rinse, add about a handful of chopped bay leaves to hot (but not boiling!) water and let steep for 20 minutes. After this conditioner has cooled, it is massaged into the hair and left in the hair for an hour. Then rinse with lukewarm water.
  • There are various dandruff shampoos that help against dandruff. When buying it is important to note that shampoos containing sulfur or salicylic acid are not very effective as they only loosen the scales from the surface. Shampoos with the ingredients tar, zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide, on the other hand, reduce the rate at which scalp cells multiply. In addition, shampoos with tar also inhibit cell growth. An anti-dandruff shampoo should be changed every few months as the scalp gets used to the different active ingredients.
  • Another shampoo that helps against dandruff contains the active ingredient ketoconazole. This substance helps eradicate a yeast that is often the cause of dandruff. An anti-dandruff shampoo should work for at least 10 minutes so that it can develop its full power.

Fast help with dandruff

  • Apple cider vinegar is a wonderful home remedy for dandruff because the vinegar kills fungi and bacteria . It is mentioned in some literature as the miracle cure for dandruff. For an apple cider vinegar rinse, 100 ml of water is mixed with 100 ml of apple cider vinegar and then applied to the hair.
  • Another natural conditioner that helps fight dandruff is a rosemary conditioner. Some people’s scalps are irritated by rosemary, so try it carefully on a small area. For such a rinse, a cup of boiling water is poured over a teaspoon of chopped rosemary. When the solution has cooled, it can be used as a rinse.
  • There is a little tip for nutrition: flaxseed . Linseed contains many essential omega-3 fatty acids , which help against dandruff and psoriasis .

Alternative remedies

  • A very helpful alternative remedy for dandruff is Goldenseal. It contains the active ingredient berberine, which has a very strong antibacterial effect and also inhibits fungal growth. To use goldenseal, you can easily make a conditioner. To do this, about 2 teaspoons of the chopped root are poured over 150 ml of boiling water and left to steep for 10 minutes. After this solution has cooled, it can be used as a rinse.
  • Probiotic yogurt is a very effective home remedy for dandruff. The live cultures in these yogurts help fight yeast. The yoghurt is used like a cure and applied to the whole head. After half an hour, the yoghurt can be rinsed out again.
  • Another alternative remedy for the yeast that is often the cause of dandruff is tea tree oil . To use, 10 drops of tea tree oil are mixed with a tablespoon of olive oil. This mixture is then massaged into the scalp. Alternatively, a few drops of tea tree oil can be added to the shampoo.

See Sheds for more information . With a self-controlled dandruff treatment, the effect can only appear after several weeks. However, if there is still no improvement and irritated, reddened scalp and severe itching occur, a doctor should be consulted.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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