Causes of and Natural Remedies for Dandruff

Dandruff is a condition that most people have, but a large percentage of these people are unaware of this fact; and that's the way that it should be. When your doctor speaks to you of dandruff, he is speaking of flaking of the skin, on the scalp. Just like on our bodies, old skin cells are being replaced with new ones, and it really is a normal skin function. Because our scalp is covered with hair, the old skin cells aren't washed away as easily as they are on our bodies. Some skin cells can remain in the hair where they are seen as 'dandruff,' especially when it falls and appears on our clothes. When the appearance of dandruff becomes a regular occurrence, it would be a good thing to see your doctor; just to rule out seborrhea and psoriasis. These two skin conditions are much more unsightly, and require a different treatment that ordinary dandruff. There are many natural remedies that you can do, or use at home to treat dandruff, and to keep it from becoming an unsightly problem.

Dandruff Remedy #1

Wash your hair and scalp daily. Give your scalp a good scrubbing, just like you do your body. This will help to remove the old skin cells from the scalp, and a good rinsing will remove them from the hair. Make sure that you don't use your fingernails when scrubbing your scalp. The fingernails could scratch the scalp, thus causing more problems.

Dandruff Remedy #2

Before washing your hair; brush it good. This will help in loosening up the old skin cells from the scalp, making it easier to wash more of them away.

Dandruff Remedy #3

Do not use beer as a rinse for your hair. Though beer gives a beautiful luster to the hair, the alcohol in beer helps to dry out the skin on the scalp; causing a dandruff problem.

Dandruff Remedy #4

What; and how much are you putting on your hair? Things that we put on our hair, such as styling gel, mousse and hair-spray, for styling purposes, can flake and give he appearance of dandruff. Try using less, or none at all.

Dandruff Remedy #5

Take time for thyme.Thyme has a reputation of being somewhat antiseptic, and can help to ease dandruff. Simmer 4 heaping tablespoons in about 2 cups of water for about 10 minutes. Strain the liquid and allow it to cool, Pour half of the liquid over clean, damp hair. Massage it gently into hair and scalp. There is no need to rinse it out of your hair. This mixture helps to keep the scalp from getting itchy.

Dandruff Remedy #6

An occasional treatment of warm oil can help to loosen scales and soften the skin on your scalp, resulting in less itching of the scalp. Warm a few ounces of extra virgin olive oil in the microwave. Before applying the warm oil, make sure hair is wet. That will prevent the oil from soaking into the hair; and cause it to work into the scalp. Wrap head in a towel, or put a shower cap over hair and scalp for a half hour. Then wash thoroughly. This helps to diminish dandruff flakes.

Dandruff Remedy #7

A bay-leaf mixture for rinsing can help to control common dandruff. Boil one quart of water, take off the heat and steep three teaspoons of crushed bay leaves for about a half hour in the hot water. Strain the leaves and put liquid into a plastic container. After you shampoo your hair, pour about a cup onto scalp and massage.

Dandruff Remedy #8

Kelp tablets supply needed minerals, especially iodine, for better hair growth and healing of the scalp. One tablet taken with meals can be quite beneficial.

Dandruff Remedy #9

If at all possible, avoid wearing a hat. A lot of times, wearing a hat causes the head and scalp to get hot, thus causing the skin to itch. If you must wear a hat, wear one that let the scalp get air, such a a mesh or straw hat.

These tips can help to keep dandruff to a minimum and helps to reduce the nuisance. Just remember, there is nothing unusual, or uncommon about dandruff.

Resources:

Frank G. Cawood & Assoc., "Natural Medicine & Cures" FC&A Publishing

Sid Kirchheimer, "Doctors Book of Home Remedies II" Rodale Press

Albert Marchetti, M.D. "Common Cures for Common Ailments" Stein & Day Publishing