Dr Anjali Mahto, from the British Association of Dermatologists, tells
``You should not force the flakes from the scalp, as this can cause trauma to your scalp.'' Scraping could cause more inflammation, bleeding and scabbing, and hair loss the derms warn.
Exfoliation is useful for scalp health and dead skin removal, but too much of it can cause dryness, irritation, or even damage. Exfoliating too much can cause inflammation, excess oil production, and sensitivity.
Yes, it is generally okay to comb out dandruff flakes from your hair. Combing can help remove loose flakes and improve the appearance of your scalp and hair. However, be gentle when doing so to avoid irritating your scalp.
If it comes off easily with a gentle rub, go ahead. Basically just exfoliating dead skin from the scalp. If you have to pick at the clump and it's sore underneath, don't bother.
So that's that – as tempting as it might be to scrape your scalp until it's raw, just don't do it. If your dandruff's not that bad, treat it at home with a specialist shampoo (of which there are many). If it's so severe you want to scrape it all off for clicks, get yourself to a doctor post-haste.
Unlike true dandruff flakes, however, the flakes associated with dry scalp tend to be smaller and whiter. Dandruff flakes are larger and may be yellow-tinged or look oily. While both dandruff and dry scalp tend to come and go, dandruff that is due to a fungal infection is unlikely to get better without treatment.
For mild dandruff, first try regular cleansing with a gentle shampoo to reduce oil and skin cell buildup. If that doesn't help, try a medicated dandruff shampoo. Some people can tolerate using a medicated shampoo two to three times a week, with regular shampooing on other days if needed.
Dandruff is not caused by poor hygiene, although it may be more obvious if you do not wash your hair regularly. Stress and cold weather may also make dandruff worse.
Scalp 101
Have you ever scratched your scalp and noticed white, waxy buildup under your nails? That's sebum mixed with dead skin cells. It's hard for shampoo alone to wash away your oily scalp issues. And issues like stress and weather can increase the scalp's sebum production, making you even oilier.
Picking at the scalp can put a person at higher risk of infection, scarring, and skin discoloration. A person who compulsively picks at their scalp may have a skin-picking disorder. Treatment for a skin-picking disorder often involves therapy and medication.
Physical exfoliation is the scrubbing method most of us grew up with—think gritty scrubs, brushes, or pumice stones. It's great for thick, tough areas like your feet, but can be too harsh for delicate skin, Dr. Hartman says. If you use this method on your face, do it gently and sparingly.
Does Hot Water Cause Dandruff? Hot water itself doesn't cause dandruff, but it can strip the scalp of its natural oils, leading to dryness and potentially worsening dandruff symptoms. It's advisable to use lukewarm water when washing your hair to prevent excessive drying of the scalp.
Dermatillomania is a mental health condition where a person compulsively picks or scratches their skin, causing injuries or scarring. Also known as excoriation disorder or skin-picking disorder, this condition falls under the category of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCDs).
Scratching can disrupt the oil layer and add fungus to the scalp. Both of these are factors in dandruff and can trigger flaking. The skin sheds to get rid of the irritant or foreign object, and scratching just adds more of that. If you're wondering, is it bad to scratch dandruff, this should help you out.
Don't pick at skin that's peeling, as it interferes with your skin's healing process and puts you at risk for infection. Your healthcare provider can recommend gentle skin products that ease and prevent peeling skin.
White piedra is a superficial fungal infection of the hair. Several species of fungus that live in soil or dirty water can cause it. Piedra is the Spanish word for stone. White piedra appears as white or light brown depositions that loosely attach to the tip of a hair shaft and may group to form clusters.
Dandruff may have several causes, including: Irritated, oily skin. Dry skin. A yeastlike fungus (malassezia) that feeds on oils on the scalps of most adults.
When this happens, your scalp skin begins to shed in the form of oily, off-white flakes that we call dandruff. Unfortunately, about 50% of the world is allergic to mainly the oleic acid, which makes the good old 'how to reduce dandruff' question so important. So, can you wash this dandruff away? Well, yes you can!
If you have fine or naturally straight hair, or an oily scalp, wash your hair often. For example, you may need to shampoo daily and use your dandruff shampoo twice a week. If you have coarse or naturally curly or coily hair, wash your hair when needed, and use your dandruff shampoo about once a week, if tolerated.
Dandruff is typically characterized by large, oily flakes that are white or yellow and tend to stick to your hair or scalp. These flakes are often accompanied by a oily scalp, persistent itching, and sometimes redness. In more severe cases, scaly patches may appear.
The acupuncturist
In Chinese medicine, the most common cause of dandruff is 'liver blood deficiency'. Blood, amongst other things, moistens the body, so 'blood deficiency' doesn't mean you are anaemic but that your blood isn't moistening your scalp sufficiently (the blood deficiency also causes psoriasis).