What causes dandruff?
Sep 22, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
In general, dandruff is caused by factors such as skin metabolism, seasonal changes, seborrheic dermatitis, tinea capitis, and psoriasis. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. It is important to maintain a balanced diet to promote skin health, practice good personal hygiene, wash hair regularly, and avoid using chemicals that may irritate the scalp.
Generally, dandruff is caused by changes in skin metabolism, seasonal variations, tinea capitis (scalp fungal infection), seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and other factors. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Changes in Skin Metabolism
Skin cells naturally renew themselves continuously. As aging epidermal cells shed, they form mild dandruff, which is a normal physiological process. In daily life, maintaining good scalp hygiene and regular cleansing can help manage this.
2. Seasonal Changes
Dry winter air can cause the scalp to become dry, accelerating the shedding of dead skin cells and resulting in visible dandruff. In summer, excessive sweating and increased sebum production may create a favorable environment for fungal growth, indirectly promoting dandruff formation. It is important to adjust shampoo frequency according to seasonal changes and adopt appropriate hair-washing methods.
3. Tinea Capitis (Scalp Fungal Infection)
Tinea capitis is primarily caused by overgrowth of Malassezia fungi. Under conditions of high temperature and humidity, these fungi proliferate excessively, leading to significant dandruff production. Symptoms often include scalp itching, redness, and hair thinning. Treatment under medical guidance may include antifungal medications such as clotrimazole cream, terbinafine tablets, or itraconazole capsules.
4. Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is commonly associated with genetic factors and microbial infections. It leads to excessive sebum secretion on the scalp, causing flaking, often accompanied by itching and redness. Patients may use medicated treatments such as ketoconazole shampoo, selenium sulfide shampoo, or zinc oxide sulfur ointment as directed by a physician to relieve symptoms.
5. Psoriasis
Psoriasis can be triggered by genetic predisposition, obesity, and other factors. It involves excessive proliferation of skin cells, resulting in thick, scaly patches on the scalp, often accompanied by itching and pain. Under medical supervision, patients may use treatments such as calcipotriol ointment, tazarotene gel, or methotrexate tablets.
In daily life, maintaining a balanced diet to support skin health, practicing good personal hygiene, washing hair regularly, and avoiding chemicals that may irritate the scalp are recommended.
