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- What is dandruff?
- Symptoms of dandruff
- Causes of dandruff
- Prevention of dandruff
- Risk factors for dandruff
- Complications of dandruff
- When to see a doctor about dandruff
- Diagnosis of dandruff
- Conventional treatment of dandruff
- Alternative/complementary treatment of dandruff
- Living with dandruff
- Caring for someone with dandruff
Dandruff may be unpreventable in certain circumstances:
- Hormonal changes - some women who are menopausal may have dandruff due to the changes in their hormones which normally protect the scalp from this condition
- Increased sebaceous gland production - when the sebaceous gland is overactive, it can cause dandruff and it may be difficult to control
- Increased skin yeasts - some people have a genetic predisposition to have increased levels of the pityrosporum ovale yeast on their scalp, which can cause dandruff symptoms
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There are ways to prevent dandruff from occurring:
- Adequate sunlight - dandruff may get worse in winter than in summer because the ultraviolet light kills the pityrosporum ovale, so try to get adequate sunlight to prevent worsening of symptoms
- Brush the hair regularly - not brushing the hair can cause a build-up of dead skin cells on the scalp which need to be shed, so brush the hair every day at least once a day
- Low GI diet - people who have a diet that consists of food which is low to medium GI (mostly natural and unprocessed foods) tend to have less incidence of dandruff, as excessive sugar intake is associated with dandruff
- Proper nutrition - there is some evidence to suggest that nutritional deficiency may be a factor which causes the sebaceous glands to be overactive on the scalp. The most important nutrients seem to be the anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids (omega-3 especially, but also certain omega-6, such as GLA and flaxseeds)
- Stress - excessive stress levels can adversely affect dandruff and make the condition worse
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< 3: causes 5: risk factors > Last reviewed: 16 August 2007 || Last updated: 29 January 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
