Dandruff is one of the most common issues faced by people worldwide. The appearance of flaky bits of skin on the shoulder may seem harmless, but it can lead to serious issues.

Dandruff makes the scalp itchy and triggers hair fall problems. People might consider it easy to tackle dandruff but is tricky as it overlaps with seborrheic dermatitis and other skin conditions, ultimately leading to a scaly scalp. There is no clarity about what causes it but there is a theory that states a fungus called Malassezia may trigger dandruff on the scalp. 

Malassezia usually resides on the scalp of many healthy adults without causing any worries. However, there can be cases where a person's immune system can overreact to Malassezia fungus.

Dandruff can become intense if a person is stressed. And it tends to increase during cold and dry seasons. Therefore dandruff treatment is necessary.

Signs and symptoms

A key point to finding the right dandruff treatment option is to know the symptoms of dandruff. Here are a few common ones: 

• Constant itching on the scalp 
• Ruffling the hair can lead to a deposit of greasy or dry scales on the shoulders 
• In extreme cases, people may notice reddish or yellowish scalp bumps along the hairline. 

Why does one need dandruff remedies?

Having a layer of flaky bits of skin sprayed across the shoulders is not a good sight. It looks unhygienic and can hamper a person's confidence. Therefore one requires dandruff treatment to get rid of this problem.

But, that is not all. At times, dandruff can indicate some serious medical conditions in a person and also cause hair loss. 

People should seek medically-assisted dandruff treatments if:

• They notice signs of infection, like swelling, inflammation, tenderness, or redness.
• The dandruff is severe with constant hair thinning and hair loss.
• They notice signs of skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.

Dandruff treatment

Home remedies for dandruff can help control it in the initial stages. Here are a few effective options:

Tea tree oils

Tea tree oils are excellent to treat skin conditions like acne. However, it is scientifically proven that tea tree oils have solid anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties to help with various symptoms of dandruff. 

However, these oils can irritate sensitive skin. Therefore, one should consult a doctor before using them. 

Coconut oil

It is common to notice people applying coconut oil to the scalp during the cold and dry seasons. Dry skin can worsen dandruff, and coconut oil improves skin hydration and prevents dryness. 

Some studies point out that coconut oil helps with the treatment of eczema.

Aloe vera gel

Applying aloe vera gel is one of the best home remedies for dandruff as it contains antibacterial and antifungal properties that protect the scalp against dandruff. 

Aloe vera gel also helps to reduce inflammation in the scalp. 

Apple cider vinegar

People believe that the acidity of apple cider vinegar helps to stop dandruff on one's scalp by balancing the pH of one's skin.

Doing so reduces fungal growth. However, there is no scientific evidence to back this claim. 

If none of these home remedies for dandruff control work, it may be time to seek medical help. 

Doctors will suggest medical shampoos to help with dandruff. Some examples include: 

• Pyrithione zinc shampoos: As the name suggests, these shampoos contain zinc pyrithione, which is an excellent antibacterial and antifungal agent. 
• Tar-based shampoos: Coal tar can help to slow down the death of skin cells on the scalp. However, these shampoos can cause hair discolouration. They also make the scalp become sensitive to sunlight.
• Shampoos containing salicylic acid: Salicylic acid helps to eliminate the scaling on the scalp due to dandruff.
• Ketoconazole shampoos: These shampoos are an excellent tool to kill dandruff-causing fungi on the scalp.

PRP for dandruff

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma (PRP). It is one of the safest and most effective ways to tackle dandruff and hair loss. If a person has lost a significant amount of hair due to dandruff, they can undergo PRP treatment to get them back.

In PRP, the healing abilities of platelets are used to enable hair growth in balding areas. PRP treatment is fast and does not require any downtime.

A person can see visible results within the first few months of the treatment. The best part is it does not take a lot of time. A single sitting usually lasts 10 minutes.

UnCover provides the best PRP treatment facilities under the care of expert doctors.

Final words

Dandruff may sound harmless but one should not let it hamper their confidence. As mentioned above, extreme cases of dandruff can lead to severe skin issues. Using the right home remedies for dandruff treatment is the smart move.

If the home remedies do not work, one can opt for medically prescribed shampoos to put a full stop to dandruff.

People who have lost a certain amount of hair due to dandruff can use PRP to get the lost hair back within a short time.

Visit UnCover to get top-notch PRP facilities supervised by some of the most qualified doctors in the country.