A person's entire
body surface continuously
sheds dead
skin cells. The skin itself sheds every twenty-four
days. Dandruff, the shedding of
dead skin cells from the
scalp at an
excessive rate, is the result of the
normal growing process of the skin cells of the scalp. Dandruff is
seasonal. It is most
severe during the
winter and
mildest during the
summer.
The most common
symptom of dandruff is
scaling and
flaky skin on your head.
Itching is also occasionally present.. A
doctor should be consulted if
redness is present, or if scaling occurs on parts of the body other than the scalp.
Causes of Dandruff include : Excessive use of
hairsprays and
gels,
improper use of hair-coloring products or excessive use of
electric hair
curlers,
cold weather and
dry indoor heating, tight fitting
hats and scarves,
infrequent shampooing of the hair or
inadequate rinsing or even
stress,
anxiety and
tension.
Dandruff can be treated with
shampoo,
creams and special
soaps that are available at the
drugstore or by
prescription.