Dandruff

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Fighting the war against dandruff
Here is more confusion about dandruff than about any other hair problem. In India, it’s the ailment everybody worries about but nobody knows what the answer is. Is dandruff nearly as rampant as we all believe? Not at all. A lot of what is termed dandruff is in fact nothing of the kind. Many dandruff shampoos are unnecessarily used and may be very hazardous.

What is Dandruff?
The stratum corium of a normal scalp is made up of 24 to 40 layers of dead dry cells which have moved up from the basal layer of the skin to its surface from which they are sloughed off. The whole process takes about 28 days. In real dandruff, this sloughing process is exaggerated so that you are loosing flakes front 20 to 50 layers thick.

This makes the stratum corium thinner and exposes fresh young cells to contact with outside world long before they are hardened and ready for it. It also disrupts the normal pattern of cell turnover another characteristic of real dandruff. You will find shampoos, creams, oils and lotions to prevent dandruff but the real problem is inside and dandruff, if not treated well on time result in acute problem and finally results in
Signs of Dandruff

White or gray flakes on hair and clothing.
Itchy scalp.
Irritating scalp.
Oily scalp.

Day–to–day care

Avoid pollution. Cover your hair while in the sun and dust.
If you have a lot of dandruff, it is tough to get rid of. Please consult your doctor who will recommend an anti–dandruff shampoo.
You need to take care of your hair by shampooing every two days. Make sure you wash off the shampoo completely, otherwise it may actually lead to the formation of dandruff. Use a mild, non–medicated shampoo to control scalp oil without irritating your scalp.
Use an anti–dandruff shampoo that contains zinc pyrithione. Allow the shampoo to work for 5 to 10 minutes. Wash your hair every two days.
You have to consult your Doctor If:

In spite of weeks of treatment, dandruff is not controlled.
The stubborn dandruff has started causing you problems like scaly patches of skin on the upper part of your body like, the sides of your nose, in your eyebrows, or on your chest.

Seborrheic Dermatitis
Some individuals may not find any relief from the persistent problem of dandruff even after a month. And then, face the problem of scalp inflammation or crust formation. This condition is known as seborrheic dermatitis. This is a functional disease of the sebaceous glands, in which there is excessive secretion or disturbed quality of sebum. Your physician can prescribe an anti–dandruff shampoo and a cream or lotion that contains hydrocortisone.

These are of three types