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Dandruff: snow in your hair

September 27, 2011 by · Leave a Comment 

DandruffWhat is dandruff or “seborrhea dermatitis” as its scientific name. Generally, as is manifested physically in the hair, is thought to be a hair problem. However, its causes and other symptoms are therefore presented in the skin overlying the skull, the scalp.

Since dandruff is a skin disease, to understand one must be familiar with the cycles of the skin. The scalp, like the skin on the whole body is renewed through a natural process every 20 to 30 days. When this process is accelerated, with an imbalance of the microbial flora, it leads to dandruff, which causes excessive flaking of the scalp, often associated with irritation.

Dandruff occurs not only in the head, but hair can occupy other areas as half of the face, upper lip, eyebrows, ear canals, armpits and groin, manifested as inflammatory scaly plaques, yellow and greasy.

Dandruff is a skin disease then. A study of the Cecil Textbook of Medicine, reveals that of the skin diseases that affect the United States is located in dandruff Third, the 2.82% of the population suffers from it.

Causes of dandruff
The causes of dandruff are varied, there is no one nor have accurately identified all possible causes, although it is true that science is advancing rapidly in that direction.

Some causes include:

  • Insufficient activity of seborrheic glands, dandruff occurs in areas with high concentrations of seborrheic glands. Insufficient activity or overproduction of these, you can create scaly skin and brittle hair, or oily, as appropriate.
  • Other diseases. May occur together or as a result of other diseases such as such as Parkinson’s, stroke or AIDS.
  • Increased fatigue, stress or digestive problems.
  • Presence of the fungus Pityrosporum. Recent scientific studies reveal that the pityrosporum (a very small fungus) can grow on the head, making the dermatitis more persistent.

Prevention and cure
The basic method for the treatment of dandruff is the use of shampoos anti-seborrhea. The shampoo should contain the following: salicylic acid, tar, sulfur and selenium sulfide should be used daily, as recommended by dermatologists.

In some cases, seborrhea inflammation has a dimension such that stronger treatments are required (under the supervision of a specialist). And in other cases, answers can be found also in natural medicine, especially when the case is mild. In any case, you should consult a medical specialist.

Some doctors advise for the prevention of this disease changes in the diet. Diets are recommended B vitamins and beta carotene, to help stabilize the scalp, the intake of seafood, meat, peanuts and sunflower seeds, to contribute in the same direction and to counteract the absence of zinc (a generators of the disease). Also advised the essential fatty acids (found in fish like salmon, sardines, herring and trout), very useful to prevent dryness of the hair.

The most important thing is to avoid the big mistakes for our hair. These are:

  • Suddenly stop anti-dandruff treatment.
  • Use a shampoo maladaptive.
  • Abusing permanent or dyes.
  • The habit of running his hand through his hair or, worse, constantly rubbing the scalp.

Back to Dandruff: snow in your hair

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