It starts out subtly for most. You wear a dark colored shirt to work one day and notice little white specks adorning the shoulder area. For others, it starts with an itchy head that just won’t quit.
However it may start, chances are everyone, at some point in their lives, has experienced
dandruff.

Dandruff is described by WikiPedia as: the excessive shedding of dead skin cells from the
scalp. Encyclopedia.com defines dandruff as “…also known as Seborrheic dermatitis, 
swelling of the upper layers of the skin on the scalp…”

Simply put, Dandruff is dead skin cells on the scalp. For some people the prescience of
dandruff is minor. They don’t notice much, if any, flaking, and are able to treat their dandruff with an OTC dandruff shampoo. For others the problem can be more persistent or severe. People experiencing severe dandruff may be prone to sores on the head, larger flaking, and severe itching. In cases such as these, most often a trip to the dermatologist and a prescription shampoo may be in order.

Several different factors can cause or contribute to dandruff.
Dry Skin: Simply having dry skin--the kind you get during the winter months when the air is colder and rooms tend to be overheated--is one of the most common causes of dandruff. Dandruff flakes from dry skin tend to be somewhat smaller and less oily then those that are from other causes.
Irritated and oily skin: Also known as Seborrheic Dermatitis. This is another frequent cause of dandruff and is marked by red, greasy skin covered with flakey white or yellow scales. This affects not only your scalp, but other areas that are rich in oil glands such as eyebrows, the sides of your nose, and backs of your ears.
Not Shampooing Enough: Failure to regularly wash your hair can result in the build up of oils and skin cells, causing dandruff to form.
Psoriasis: This is a skin disorder that causes an accumulation of dead skin cells that form thick, silvery scales.
Eczema: Eczema on the scalp can cause or contribute to dandruff.
Sensitivity To Hair Care Products: Also known as contact dermatitis. Often times sensitivities to certain hair care products or hair dyes can cause a red, itchy, scaling scalp. Shampooing too much or using to many hair care products can also lead to dandruff.
A yeast-like fungus called Malassezia: Malassezia lives on the scalps of many healthy adults without issue. But there are times that it can grow out of control, feeding on the oils are secreted by the hair follicles. This can lead to irritation of the skin on your scalp and cause more skin cell to grow. These extra skin cells die and then fall off, clumping together with oil from your hair and scalp. The cause of an overgrowth of Malassezia isn’t know, however having too much oil on your scalp, changes in hormones, stress, illness, among other factors may contribute.

You can develop dandruff at any time, even if you have never had dandruff in the past. The key to preventing dandruff from getting any worse is to promptly treat it by shampooing with an anti-dandruff shampoo or by visiting your dermatologist for more in-depth and advanced treatment.
 

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