How To Treat Dandruff

Dandruff is a condition caused by a fungus that feeds on the dead skin cells and natural oils of your scalp. When this fungus becomes an infection, it is referred to as dandruff. The results are large, oily, yellowish flakes at the scalp, and a feeling of itching and discomfort.

Before you start treating for dandruff, you should see your doctor and make sure that you are treating the right condition. There are a number of similar-looking conditions such as psoriasis and dry skin that can also cause flakes at the scalp, and if you begin treating for the wrong condition you can worsen it rather than getting the results you want.

There are several recommendations your doctor may make to treat your dandruff, using different active ingredients. You may find that you need to experiment with different types of dandruff treatments to find one that you respond to and that doesn’t have any unpleasant interactions with your skin; these are all fairly intensive ingredients and it is not unusual for your skin to react in some way to them.

Zinc pyrithione shampoos use an active ingredient that is broadly antibacterial and antifungal, and has been shown to act on the fungus that causes the dandruff infection. Zinc pyrithione shampoos are generally relatively gentle and are available in formulations for many different hair types.

Selenium sulfide shampoos have an antifungal action. This ingredient has been in use for many years and is quite reliable; however, it can cause discoloration in certain types of hair, particularly dyed hair, so use it with caution.

Ketoconazole shampoos, such as the prescription brand Nizoral, use a broad-spectrum antifungal drug that is also used externally to treat yeast infections. Ketoconazole is a very powerful ingredient and has a high rate of success, but it has very unpleasant side effects and can irritate the skin, so it needs to be treated with caution.

Tar shampoos use a chemical extracted from coal tar. They interfere with dandruff’s formation of flakes by slowing the process of cell death in your scalp. Coal tar shampoos are often sticky and unpleasant smelling, although modern formulations have reduced this a great deal. Coal tar is very effective, but it can dry the skin out so it’s very counterproductive if improperly used on dry scalp.

Keep experimenting until you find the right treatment that works for your body.

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