There are several things that can cause dandruff. Although it looks mild and is not a serious condition, its presence often causes discomfort. Therefore, it is important to know the causes and how to treat dandruff so that you can regain your confidence.
Dandruff can occur when the growth of dead skin cells on the head is faster than the formation of new skin cells. The condition that can cause "snowfall" on the shoulder is not contagious, but it can trigger an itchy scalp and lower self-confidence.
Various Causes of Dandruff
Dandruff can be caused by various things. The following are some of the causes of diseases of the scalp:
1. Yeast or mushroom
Yeast or mushroom Malessezia globosa use the oil on the scalp to live and reproduce. This makes the scalp react by accelerating the formation of new skin cells on the head.
Normally, it takes a full month for the new cells on the scalp to mature, die, and slough off. However, in people with dandruff, this process can occur in just 2-7 days.
2. Dry scalp
In addition to an oily scalp, dry scalp can also trigger a buildup of dead skin cells on the head and cause dandruff. The difference is, dandruff due to dry scalp is smaller and less oily.
3. Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a skin irritation that can cause rashes and itching. If it occurs on the scalp, this condition is generally caused by hair care products or hair dyes.
In addition to contact dermatitis, suffering from other skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or acne can also trigger or exacerbate dandruff.
4. Rarely shampooing
Infrequent shampooing can also cause you to have dandruff. This habit can cause the accumulation of oil and dead skin cells on the head which eventually causes dandruff.
5. Other medical conditions
In addition to the four things above, dandruff is also more at risk for people with certain medical conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, brain and spinal cord injuries, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis C.
How to Overcome Dandruff
Dandruff can almost always be treated by regularly shampooing using a special dandruff shampoo 1-3 times a week. When dandruff is resolved, reduce its use to once a week to prevent dandruff from reappearing.
There are various types of dandruff shampoos and can be categorized based on the substances contained in them. The following are some of the types:
- Shampoo with antibacterial and antifungal properties zinc pyrithione
- Coal tar based shampoo that can slow down the process of exfoliating dead skin cells on the head, but can make the scalp more sensitive to sunlight
- Shampoo with ingredients salicylic acid which can remove crust on the scalp
- Shampoo with ingredients selenium sulfide or ketoconazole which is antifungal, but its use needs to be considered because it can change the color of hair and scalp
Before using it, read and follow the directions for use on each bottle of anti-dandruff shampoo. Some shampoo products need to be left on for a few minutes after use, but some need to be rinsed off immediately.
If shampoo does not solve your dandruff problem or you experience allergic reactions, such as rash, itching, and redness, stop using the shampoo immediately and check with your doctor so that treatment can be carried out according to the cause of the dandruff that appears.
