Natural Homemade Remedies for Dandruff

What is dandruff?

Dandruff affects the scalp and causes flakes of skin to appear - it is a common condition. Our skin cells are forever renewing themselves. When the skin cells on our scalp are renewed the old ones are pushed to the surface and out of the scalp. For a person with dandruff the renewal is faster, meaning more dead skin is shed, making the dandruff more noticeable. Dandruff can also occur if the scalp is frequently exposed to extreme temperatures.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

This is a skin condition in which the skin becomes inflamed or flaky. Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp is a severe form of dandruff. When it affects the scalp most people refer to it as dandruff. When babies have it, it is referred to as cradle cap. Seborrheic dermatitis causes larger, greasier flakes than most other types of dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis affects not only the scalp, but the skin in other parts of the body too.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS of dandruff/ flaky scalp / scalp psoriaisis

Dandruff affects the scalp and causes flakes of skin to appear - it is a common condition. If dandruff is not treated in right time it can create stage os psoriasis also.

Our skin cells are forever renewing themselves. When the skin cells on our scalp are renewed the old ones are pushed to the surface and out of the scalp. For a person with dandruff the renewal is faster, meaning more dead skin is shed, making the dandruff more noticeable.

• There are while flakes of skin on the scalp, and in the person's hair
• Flakes may be oily looking
• Head may feel tight and itchy
• Head may feel tingly
• Head may feel sore and mild pain
• Red, flaky, greasy patches of skin
• Crusting and scaling rash on scalp

Malnutrition , poor nutritional intake, and deficiency of essential elements like zinc and iron are the usual causes of hair loss.Patchy baldness is a common manifestation of severe seborrhoeic dermatitis.Dandruff occurs as a result of unclean habits, stress, exposure to excess heat, dryes, cosmetic,hairgels, hard shampoos,emotional problems, hormonal imbalance, exposure to severe cold and excessive intake of oily,heavy and sweet foods.

Itching is a common symptom of dandruff. There are no obvious signs of graying of hair except whole gray hairs.Premature graying is usually due to lack of essential nutrients like magnesium,copper,iron and zinc.Folic acid and vitamin B6 play an important role in preventing hair loss and graying of hair.Hair dyes and hair dryers promote hair loss.Instead of chemical hair dyes,herbal hair dyes are very safe and effective.Heredity is the most common factor of baldness.Often hair loss is a symptom of some major diseases like diabetes,typhoid,sinusites and anaemia.

In AYURVEDA imbalance of vata,pitta and kapha causes various hair problems.

Excess of Pitta dosha in the body is the chief cause of hair problems. Pitta is increased by excessive intake of tea, coffee, alcohol, meats, sexual activity in excess and excessive smoking. Pitta is also aggravated by eating too much fried, oily, greasy, spicy, sour, and acidic foods.