Is It Dandruff or Dry Scalp?
Overview
If you have a dry, flaking scalp, you may suspect dandruff. But it could be a sign of dry scalp. Dandruff and dry scalp have the same main symptoms, which are falling flakes and an itchy scalp, but they are two different conditions.
In dry scalp, the skin gets irritated and flakes off. With dandruff, the cause is too much oil on the scalp. That excess oil causes skin cells to build up and then shed. Knowing which of these conditions you have can help you get the right treatment and banish those flakes for good.
Causes and symptoms
You get dry scalp when your skin has too little moisture. The skin on your scalp becomes irritated and flakes off. If your scalp is dry, the skin on other parts of your body, like your arms and legs, could be dry, too.
Dry scalp can also be triggered by factors like these:
cold, dry air
contact dermatitis caused by a reaction to products you apply to your scalp, like shampoo, styling gel, and hairspray
older age
The skin cells on your scalp and body normally multiply when you need more of them. Then they die and shed off. When you have dandruff, skin cells on your scalp shed more quickly than usual.
The main cause of dandruff seborrheic dermatitis, a condition that turns the skin oily, red, and scaly. The white or yellow scales flake off, creating dandruff. You can get seborrheic dermatitis anywhere you have oil glands, including your eyebrows, groin, armpits, and along the sides of your nose. In babies it’s called cradle cap
Often, a fungus called malassezia triggers dandruff. This fungus normally lives on your scalp. Yet some people have too much of it, and it causes skin cells to multiply more quickly than usual.
Certain factors can cause malassezia to multiply, including:
age
hormones
stress
Dirty hair doesn’t cause dandruff, but if you don’t shampoo often enough , the oily buildup can contribute to flakes.
One way to tell the difference between dry scalp and flakes from dandruff is by their appearance. Dandruff flakes are bigger and they look oily. In babies with cradle cap, the scalp looks scaly or crusty. Both dryness and dandruff can make your scalp itch.
Seeing a doctor
You can treat most dandruff yourself with an over-the-counter shampoo. If you’ve tried a dandruff shampoo for at least a month and your flakes haven’t improved, they’re getting worse, or the skin on your scalp looks red or swollen, make an appointment with a dermatologist, which is a doctor that specializes in treating the skin. You might have another skin condition that needs to be treated.
Your doctor will determine whether you have dandruff by looking at your scalp and hair. They can rule out conditions like eczema and psoriasis, which can also cause flaky skin on the scalp.
Salon Treatment
Dry scalp- will be washed with a gentle shampoo and then use a moisturizing conditioner. One way to tell whether you have dry scalp or dandruff is to apply a light moisturizer or oil to your scalp before you go to bed or 30 minutes before you shampoo. If the cause is dry scalp, the flakes should disappear once you shampoo. Some hair stylists can perform a scalp treatment that uses steam to deliver more moisture to your scalp.
For mild dandruff, wash your hair at least once a week with a gentle sulfate free shampoo that has astringent qualities to reduce the amount of oil on your scalp. If your dandruff is more severe or a regular shampoo doesn’t work, try a dandruff shampoo, or it’s time to see a dermatologist
Most dandruff shampoos contain medicine that kills the fungus on your scalp or removes flaky skin. Here are some examples:
Pyrithione zinc (Head and Shoulders) is an antifungal drug. It kills the fungus on your scalp that causes flaking. Pyrithione zinc shampoos are gentle enough to use every day.
Selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue) reduces fungus and prevents too many skin cells from dying off. If you have blond or gray hair or you dye your hair, ask your doctor before using shampoo containing selenium sulfide. It can change your hair color.
Ketoconazole (Nizoral) kills the fungus that causes dandruff. You can buy it in over the counter or prescription strength.
Shampoos containing tea tree oil, eucalyptus or peppermint essential oils are an alternative remedy for dandruff. Tea tree oil is a natural ingredient with antifungal properties. An older study Source from 2012 showed that a 5 percent tea tree oil shampoo reduced scaling without causing side effects. Some people are allergic to tea tree oil. Ask your doctor before you try it. Stop using the product if you have any redness or swelling.
