Monday 15 August 2011

dandruff


Dandruff has become a bigger social villain than body odor and bad breath. Everyone suffers from it but with different degrees of intensity.

Dandruff is one of the great levelers of life. It knows no class, creed or race. It affects everyone but not in equal measure. Some people have a very minute quantity of dandruff, while others spend their lifetimes trying to get rid of it. Dandruff has given rise to a whole multi-million dollar cleansing shampoo industry. Companies such as Unilever and P & G have spent millions of dollars in research and development to try to find an everlasting dandruff eradicator. Consumers keep on oscillating between products available in stores to various home remedies but at most both can provide temporary relief. There are several misconceptions regarding dandruff and unfortunately most people base their treatments on them.

Dandruff is the dry, white or grayish substance that appears in patches on the top of the head. They appear in the form of scales. Dandruff occurs when the scalp sheds dead epidermal (skin) cells in large clumps. Scalp cells replenish themselves in a pattern similar to that of hair, but more rapidly: The skin of the head renews itself about once a month. Dead scalp cells are constantly being pushed from the deepest layer of the epidermis to the skin's surface, where they gradually die. Usually the scalp sheds them in a nearly invisible way. But for reasons that are still unclear, cell turnover sometimes becomes unusually rapid, and dead cells are shed as the visible flakes called dandruff. This dandruff then falls on the shoulder and becomes visible to someone standing close by. Persons suffering from prolonged dandruff are said to have a dandruff ailment.

Dandruff is caused by a micro-organism called Pityrosporum-Ovale (now renamed Malassezia furfur), which are present in every body's scalp. The fungus is found naturally on the skin surface of both healthy people and those with dandruff. The fungus likes fat, and is consequently found most on skin areas with plenty of sebaceous glands: on the scalp, face and upper part of the body. Symptoms of dandruff manifest itself when exposed to dust; UV light, harsh chemical based shampoo, hair dyes etc. This results in the increase of the number of microbes, which causes unhealthy residue over the scalp, which leads to dandruff, which is the cause of unhealthy scalp results in unhealthy, lifeless hair and may also result in excessive loss of hair. But dandruff should not be mistaken for other more harmful conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis. These conditions cause itching and redness accompanied by dandruff. They can also lead to eczema.

People with oily scalps tend to suffer most from dandruff because an oily scalp supports the growth of yeast, which is crucial to the generation of scales. Causes of excessive dandruff could vary from hereditary reasons to tension and anxiety. Excessive usage of hairsprays, improper electric hair curlers, tight fitting hats and cold weather are the other known causes.

There are essentially two types of remedies for dandruff. A mild shampoo that contains a cytostatic agent, such as selenium sulfide or zinc pyrithione must be used. Cytostatic agents reduce the rate of growth and multiplication of cells on the top layer of skin on the scalp, which causes a noticeable decrease in visible dandruff within several weeks. Shampoos are to be avoided if there is a cut in the scalp. Nizoral is the only shampoo containing a patented active ingredient known as ketoconazole this ingredient is medically proven to be effective against Malassezia furfur. It has been recommended by doctors and pharmacists all over the world. If the dandruff is caused due to a nutrition deficiency then he/she must incorporate vitamins B6, B12, F and selenium in their diet.

There are a host of homemade treatments that can be recommended. Garlic and oil of oregano are excellent anti-dandruff agents. A fresh onion that is cut and applied to the scalp or the pouring of apple cider vinegar help in alleviating the condition by cleansing the scalp. Both of them have well-known antiseptic properties. Alternating hot and cold water on the head increases circulation to the scalp. Yoga headstands are also popular. But it is important to remember that dandruff cannot be eliminated; it can only be controlled.
http://awarenessofdiseases.blogspot.com/
source:wikipedia

No comments:

Post a Comment