Tips From Dermatologists: Dandruff
Tips From Dermatologists: Dandruff
In the scheme of things, dandruff is a fairly small skin problem–but still, it is not to be underestimated. Dandruff is uncomfortable, itchy, and embarrassing, and it can be difficult to get rid of, too. Luckily, our expert dermatologists know a thing or two about dandruff and how to take care of it!
Fast Facts on Dandruff
Dandruff is often caused by a condition called seborrheic dermatitis, or seborrhea. Seborrhea remains somewhat of a mystery in the medical world, as we don’t yet know what causes it; what we do know is that it affects the scalp, chest, back, and more, and it brings scaly dermatitis with it. This dermatitis creates “scales,” and when those scales accumulate, we call it dandruff. Anyone can get seborrhea and the resulting dandruff, but it is more common in individuals with certain diseases or disorders as well as those on chemotherapy. There are other causes of dandruff, too–like allergic contact dermatitis or fungal infections–but seborrhea is the most common.
Treatments
So, how can you treat dandruff? Let our expert dermatologists explain!
- Avoid moisturizers. Although your first instinct might be to respond to what appears to be “dry skin” with moisturizers, the truth is that dandruff isn’t a matter of dehydrated skin. In fact, moisturizers will only aggravate the condition, so try to avoid using them.
- Shampoo. There are certain types of shampoos that can help clear up dandruff. Keep an eye out for these ingredients when looking for an anti-dandruff shampoo: tar, salicylic acid, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, or ketoconazole.
- Creams. Two types of creams can help stop dandruff: corticosteroid creams and antifungal creams. Corticosteroid creams safely reduce inflammation and are gentle enough to be used on the face, and they come in different concentrations for different needs. Antifungal creams help reduce the number of yeast organisms on the skin and this appears to help many cases of dandruff.
Looking for more information on dandruff? Looking for expert dermatologists? Contact us today!
