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We feel bad when we see those dry flakes coming from our scalp. We refer to them as dandruff but do you know what dandruff is? Do you have a clue why you have dandruff? What causes dandruff and which part of the body can you get dandruff? Other than hair dandruff, can you get eyebrow dandruff or face dandruff? We explore all these issues concerning dandruff on this post.
Dandruff tends to manifest itself in the form of dry or oily flakes. These could be white or yellow, large or small. This condition can make one self-conscious and it could be such an eyesore when others see it. Read on to get a better understanding of it.
What is Dandruff? Dandruff Definition
What is dandruff? You definitely ask and would like to know the definition of dandruff. Normally, the skin sheds off dead skin cells with time to give way for formation of new ones. This tends to be a gradual process and is hardly noticeable. At times, this process is speeded up and there is excessive production of dead skin cells which are released on the skin. This is when dandruff appears. Dandruff is simply a buildup of dead skin cells and is most common on the scalp.
Why Do I Have Dandruff?
Are you one of those who ask why do I have dandruff? The causes for the production of dandruffs are not very clear. However, some contributing factors have been identified. Dandruffs are very common and happen to both people who are healthy and also those that may have some health problems. This being the case, you could be wondering why do I have dandruff? Some general reasons why you could be having dandruff on any part of your body include:
Dry skin: Drying up of the skin makes it to flake off. This is more so during the cold seasons when cold air leads to overheating of rooms. This exposes the skin to extreme temperatures thus increasing the likelihood of dandruffs. This causes itchiness and a flaky skin. The coldness also increases chances for yeast survival.
Seborrheic dermatitis: This is a condition that leads to one having an irritated oily skin. If you suffer from this condition, you are prone to dandruffs in different parts of your body. These include eyebrows, nose, ears and the face as opposed to dandruff on the scalp alone. The dandruff manifests itself in the patient having red greasy skin that is covered with white or yellow flaky scales.
Skin diseases: Some skin diseases cause a peeling off of the skin. People with these skin conditions will tend to suffer from dandruff. Psoriasis and eczema are some skin conditions that could be contributing to your having dandruff.
Weak immune system: People who have certain illnesses that tend to weaken the immune system are prone to having dandruffs. People suffering from Parkinson’s disease, heart attacks as well as stroke are likely to experience it more than other people.
Malassezia: This is a fungus that is found on the scalp of everyone. It usually causes no harm but could grow out of control at times. When this happens, they tend to feed on oils secreted by the hair follicles. In reaction, the scalp becomes irritated and produces extra skin cells which then die and are shed off. These are what are then seen as dandruff on the scalp.
Diet: People who do not consume foods rich in B Vitamins, certain fats and zinc tend to be more prone to dandruffs.
Is Dandruff a Fungus?
Dandruff is not a fungus but a collection of dead cells. The fungus malassezia is believed to be a contributing factor to the formation of dandruff.
Dandruff Pictures
Sample some dandruff pictures on various parts of the body included in this article.
Causes of Hair Dandruff
Hair dandruff tends to be very common. It can affect both men and women, young and old. Knowing what causes it can help to get rid of it. Below are some causes of hair dandruff.
Poor hair brushing: If you do not comb or brush your hair regularly and efficiently, you have a higher risk of getting dandruffs on your scalp. This is caused by the fact that combing helps in shedding the dead skin. When this does not, there is a buildup resulting to dandruffs.
Poor hygiene: This is more so when it comes to hair care and health. Failure to shampoo hair well enough will lead to product and dead skin buildup on the scalp which will cause dandruff.
Reaction to skin and hair care products: Some people especially those with a sensitive skin tend to react to some products with itchiness and scaling on the part on which it was used. Too much use of harsh shampoo may also cause dandruff as it tends to strip the scalp off its natural oils. This causes the skin to dry up.
Tips on Getting Rid of Eyebrow Dandruff
Eyebrow dandruff condition could be as a result of facial care products’ buildup. It could also be caused by the drying up of the skin during winter. To return your eyebrows to their sleek form, below are some tips you can employ.
- Spend some time scrubbing your eyebrows in circular motion using your fingers while you are washing your face. This will help rid you off the dry flaky skin.
- Rinse off thoroughly to get rid of them as you get the soapy residue off your face.
- Pat, not rub, the brows dry with a face towel.
- Apply a light face cream all around and over the eyebrow hairs. Keep the face off body and hand creams as these tend to be very rich in ingredients that could make the eyebrows too greasy or even cause more break-out.
- Whenever you get a flake flare up any time during the day, dab on a moisturizing facial cream.
- Do not wax your eyebrows as long as the condition remains. Wait until they get better. Doing so aggravates the skin shedding condition. Gentle tweezing is more appropriate when one has this condition.
- In case the eyebrow dandruff situation does not get better ten days after trying this out, see your dermatologist to ensure that the flaking is not as a result of a skin condition such as eczema.
Face Dandruff
If your face is dry and flaky, you could be suffering from face dandruff. This could be caused by the skin getting too dry especially if the only time you suffer from this is in winter months. The flakes are usually white.
Getting face dandruff can be agonizing since this is not like when they are on the scalp in which case it is possible to conceal the dandruffs with caps and scarfs. When they appear on the face, there is only one way out of the situation; dealing with it.
There are a number of ways that one can use to get rid of this kind of dandruffs. Milk is a great home remedy for your face dandruff. Just soak a clean piece of cloth in ice-cold unrefined milk and lay it on your face for about 10 minutes. The fats found in the milk will rehydrate the skin whereas the lactic acid and cool temperature will help to tone down the redness and also get rid of the flecks.
Another way of getting rid of the flecks would be to use an exfoliating facial wash for your face and using a moisturizer after this. Applying moisturizer all over the face every night before going to sleep would also be good for your skin. This helps keep the face well hydrated and thus reduce the amount of flaking.
Read More on Dandruff Causes & Types:
- Is Dandruff Contagious and Hereditary?
- Causes of Dandruff in Women, Kids and Men
- Dandruff Symptoms and Signs on Face and Ear
- Different Types of Dandruff (With Images & Shampoo)
- Baby Dandruff Causes, Remedies, Shampoo & Treatment
- Severe Dandruff Causes, Treatment and Home Remedies
- Dandruff Hair Loss: Does Dandruff Cause Hair Loss? Treatment & Remedies
- Eyebrow Dandruff Cause, Treatment & How to Stop
