Have you ever noticed white flakes in your hair or on the collar of your shirt? If it doesn’t happen to be snowing that day, you might be dealing with a case of dandruff, which is one of the most common conditions of the scalp.
Since dandruff can usually be treated at home without medical intervention, here are the top natural remedies to try if you have dandruff.
Who Gets Dandruff?
People of any age can develop dandruff, and in fact, there is even a type of dandruff that is common in newborn babies. However, most people start noticing dandruff when they are in their teenage years. Dandruff can be a lifelong problem that extends throughout middle age and into a person’s later years of life.
Some people are more prone to it though if their scalp produces excess oil and if the hair is naturally oily without using hair products. Men tend to have dandruff more often than women, and people with weak immune systems or neurological disorders may have it more often as well.
Causes of Dandruff
Dandruff can be caused by a health condition or by lifestyle habits that a person can control and improve upon. A condition called seborrheic dermatitis is defined by oily skin that is often greasy, red, and irritated. Certain types of fungus on the scalp can cause excess skin cells to grow and lead to dandruff.
Yet dandruff is often the result of not washing the hair frequently enough to wash away oils and dead skill cells. Chemically produced hair products may cause sensitivity in the scalp, which includes symptoms of flaking skin cells of the scalp and redness.
Treating Dandruff Naturally
There are many commercial shampoos that are marketed to people with dandruff; however, not all of these options are necessarily gentle or effective. One of the best natural home remedies to try for dandruff is tea tree oil because it has natural anti-microbial properties and can reduce itchiness and greasiness of the scalp. Another great solution that you may already have at home is coconut oil because this oil is very hydrating and has antimicrobial properties.
Meanwhile, consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids is recommended for people with chronic dandruff because they benefit the skin by managing oil production, improving hydrating, and reducing inflammation. You can get healthy omega-3s in your diet from fish, nuts, and natural supplements. Zinc is another key nutrient to get plenty of to fight dandruff is zinc. Zinc deficiencies have been found in studies to be a contributing factor for dandruff, which is why zinc is a common ingredient in dandruff shampoos. You can also get zinc naturally by eating shellfish, legumes, nuts, and whole grains.
Sometimes rubbing a natural homeopathic remedy such as OliveViate directly on the affected skin, can help give you relief for this condition.
If you notice excess skin cells on your scalp, you can use gently scrub your scalp with a mixture of baking soda and water to remove them without harsh chemical products. However, this should be done only occasionally in order to not make hair excessively dry or damaged. A person’s stress levels also have a profound impact on hair health, so it’s a smart idea to address life stresses early on before they begin to appear as physical symptoms, such as dandruff.