Know what exactly is dandruff and its many causes!

There are many causes of dandruff. However, prior to analyzing the dandruff causes it would be prudent to know what exactly dandruff is. The clinical term for 'dandruff' is Pityriasis capitis. It is commonly known as scurf. Dandruff are dry scalp skin or scales that remain suspended on hair.

The Medilexicon's medical dictionary identifies dandruff as some gray or white scales located in scalp hair. It further traces the cause of these scalp scales to the exfoliation of the outer layer of the scalp skin known as epidermis. Such branny exfoliation can be a normal process or it can happen in an abnormal or excessive manner.

Exfoliation is the natural biological process of the cells constantly renewing themselves by first throwing off the old or dead ones in the forms of dry or branny scales. These flakes are first pushed to the surface and then out of the scalp.

The roots of the term 'dandruff' have been traced to many languages. These are the dialects of East England (Anglian), old high German, and old Norse. Linguists tracing the roots of 'dandruff' to the East Anglian dialect, huff, feel that it is made up of the two words 'dand' and 'hurf'. The origin of 'dand' is unknown but 'hurf' refers to the 'scab' or the crust over a healing sore, cut etc. In the old Norse dialect too, 'hrufa' stands for 'scab'. Extreme and at times abrupt change in temperature can be the immediate factors behind dandruff causes.

Once the pace of exfoliation is faster, the quantity of the shed dead cells is more than normal. It is in such cases that dandruff becomes quite noticeable. This typical condition occurs when the skin turns flaky or inflamed.

The common causes of dandruff are the following: Improper care of the scalp or hair; dry or oily skin; heart patients, too much of tension or mental stress, HIV patients, skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis and poor diet. Ensure that your diet contains dishes that have B vitamins, different types of fats and zinc. Some people prone to dandruff are quite sensitive to yeast. However, such patients do not face dandruff causes in the warmer seasons. This is because the ultra violet rays of the sun counteract the effects of yeast. Overheated rooms and exteme climate can also cause dandruff.

Here are the common symptoms of dandruff. The flakes may be white and they may appear on the body or the scalp in particular. They may appear oily too. The patient may feel that the skin of his head is itchy and tight. There may also be a tingling sensation at various portions of the head. The head may develop sores. The head sores are due to rash rubbing with nails or frequent and deep combing which the patient resorts to get relief from the itchy sensation.

The most severe form of dandruff occurring in the case adults is known as Seborrheic dermatitis. These dandruff causes affects the skin of the entire person besides the scalp. One can easily identify the Seborrheic dermatitis dandruff by its appearance. The flakes are greasier and larger than the normal ones. Besides, their color is red or crimson. The scalp develop greasy patches. Babies may also suffer from Seborrheic dermatitis. It is then known as 'Cradle cap'. Their scalp may develop scaling rash and can turn crusting.

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