Dandruff

Overview

Dandruff is a common skin condition. It's not harmful and you cannot catch it.

Symptoms

The flakes are often more noticeable in darker hair and if they fall from your scalp onto your shoulders. Your scalp may also feel dry anditchy.

Causes

Dandruff is not caused by poor hygiene, although it may be more obvious if you do not wash your hair regularly. Stress and cold weather may also make dandruff worse.

Treatment

Use an anti-dandruff shampoo to treat dandruff. There are several different types you can buy from pharmacies or supermarkets. Look for a shampoo that contains 1 of these ingredients: zinc pyrithioneselenium sulphide (or selenium sulfide)ketoconazolecoal tar with salicylic acid A pharmacist can tell you how to use the shampoo. Use the shampoo for a month to see if your dandruff gets better. You might need to try more than 1 type to find a shampoo that works for you.