Dandruff is a common skin condition that causes flakes of dead skin to appear in the hair.
Dandruff can also make the scalp feel itchy.
The condition is not contagious and does not usually pose a threat to health, but can be unpleasant and embarrassing.
Dandruff can range from mild to severe.
Read more about the symptoms of dandruff.
Treating dandruff
The main treatment for dandruff is anti-dandruff shampoo. There are a number of different types available over the counter from most pharmacists and supermarkets.
The different types can work in different ways, so if one type isn't effective you may want to try another one.
If treatment fails to clear your flaky scalp after a few weeks or your scalp is particularly itchy, you should see your GP. You may need stronger prescription shampoo or a short-course of a steroid lotion.
Dandruff usually responds well to treatment but it's common for it to reoccur. Some people find they are free from symptoms for a while before having a 'flare-up' where symptoms are particularly bad.
In some cases you may need to use anti-dandruff shampoo on a regular or semi-regular basis to prevent dandruff returning.
Read more about the treatment of dandruff.
What causes dandruff?
The body continually sheds dead skin cells as new cells are formed. In most cases this is a gradual process that goes unnoticed.
In cases of dandruff this process speeds up and excessive amounts of dead skin cells are released by the scalp.
It's not always clear why this happens, but possible causes include seborrhoeic dermatitis, a common skin condition that causes oily skin.
While not directly responsible, certain things can make your dandruff worse, such as:
- frequent use of hairspray, hair gel and mousse
- emotional stress
Read more about the causes of dandruff.
Who is affected
Dandruff is a common condition. It is estimated that half of all people will be affected by dandruff at some point in their lives.
Dandruff often occurs after puberty and is most common in people in their early 20s, continuing into middle age.
It has been reported that dandruff is more common in men than women. It is thought to affect all ethnic groups equally.
