Remedies for dandruff

Dandruff is a discomfort that affects the scalp, manifesting itself with a whitish desquamation that covers the head.

Dandruff is caused by increased cellular turnover in the skin. Dying and detaching, the superficial epidermal layers form light scales, which can fall, generating the so-called "snow effect".

In addition to being responsible for mild or intense itching, dandruff is an extremely widespread blemish. In fact, detaching itself during the brushing of the hair, it settles on the clothes becoming very visible; for many, dandruff conveys a feeling of "poor hygiene".

It mainly affects males until early adulthood; it rarely affects people over 35-40 years old.

What to do

Dandruff can be cured or kept under control quite effectively.

The first step is to understand what is the root cause. Usually, dandruff is caused by:

Overgrowth of a fungus called Malassezia furfur (Pityrospum); in most subjects this infection is totally asymptomatic, but sometimes it can worsen and cause dandruff.
The micro-organism feeds on sebum and hydrolyzes it to produce irritating fatty acids, responsible for accelerated cellular turnover. The most suitable solution is to use specific antifungal shampoos (see Pharmacological Cures).

Excess sebum is a very important predisposing factor. It can be caused by:

A consistent androgen hormonal flow: when it is a teenage condition it can resolve spontaneously, but sometimes it depends on primary hormonal disorders.
Excessive local sensitivity to androgens: there are specific pharmacological treatments to reduce sensitivity to androgens, but they mainly concern the hair follicle. These are solutions used exclusively as a remedy for baldness and paradoxically, instead of reducing it, they sometimes seem to increase dandruff after application.

There are conditions that are statistically related to the onset of dandruff. These are:

Dry skin: responsible for dry and itchy dandruff. It is necessary to use a suitable shampoo.
Oily skin: responsible for oily dandruff; it is caused by seborrheic dermatitis (it can also affect the eyebrows, the sides of the nose, etc.). It is necessary to use a suitable shampoo.
Psoriasis: inflammatory disease of the skin that causes the production of large and itchy scales, even on the scalp. There are no definitive solutions, but it is advisable to consult a dermatologist to try to reduce acute manifestations.
Contact dermatitis: sensitization to certain substances contained in hair products. The solution is to identify the responsible molecule and choose products that do not contain it.
Milky crust or neonatal seborrheic dermatitis: disorder that occurs in the first months of life in the child. Usually it resolves spontaneously and it is sufficient to prefer specific hygiene products. In other cases there has been an improvement in symptoms by eliminating from the diet the foods responsible for adverse intestinal reactions (see What to Eat).

Other predisposing factors are:

Weakness of the immune system: it is evident when there are several close infections (for example, the acuteness of cold sores). If the immune system is compromised due to serious illnesses (for example HIV or EBV) or intense therapies (for example chemotherapy), dandruff is certainly a problem of marginal importance. On the contrary, if the immune system is damaged by: stress, environmental factors, diet, etc., it is possible to benefit greatly from eating (see What to Eat).
Inadequate nutrition: many complain of excess dandruff during periods of poor diet. However, it is only a hypothesis and does not seem supported by any concrete scientific evidence. Some foods may have a protective function, but others are more likely to have a negative effect (see What to Eat and What NOT to Eat).
Nervous stress: if dandruff appears in very stressful periods it is obvious that the cure is psycho-physical rest.
Washes too frequently and / or shampoos too aggressive: they dry and irritate the scalp. The solutions can be three:

Reduce the frequency of washing.
Reduce the amount of shampoo.
Choose a type of shampoo that is not aggressive and / or suitable for frequent washing.

Washes too scarce: they cause the accumulation of sebum and the proliferation of the fungus Malassezia furfur . Moreover, they do not allow to effectively remove the flakes of skin that tend to accumulate.
Use of irritating or oily hair cosmetics: gel, lacquer and low-quality mousse are often involved in irritation or increased sebum. It is sufficient to suspend or replace them with better products.

What NOT to do

Use a shampoo that is inadequate for the preparation of your scalp (oily or dry skin).
Wash your hair badly, too often or too infrequently.
Neglecting an excessive proliferation of Malassezia furfur.
Do not cure seborrheic dermatitis.
Neglecting psoriasis.
Ignore any forms of contact dermatitis.
Underestimate possible compromises of the immune system.
Eating inadequately.
Give in to nervous stress and don't try to reduce it.
Use irritating or oily hair cosmetics.

What to eat

Before listing which foods could be recommended to combat dandruff, we briefly describe the composition of human sebum: glycerides (57%), wax esters (25%), squalene (15%), cholesterol esters (2%) and cholesterol (1%). Significant concentrations of antioxidants such as vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 are also observed.

As can be seen, fatty acids (contained in glycerides, especially sapienic acid) play a fundamental role. These show different ramifications from individual to individual, just as the relationship between them is different.

It is not clear how much nutrition can affect the composition of sebum, although the lack of essential fatty acids and antioxidants could greatly affect. Certainly, at least in part, the predisposition to dandruff has a genetic-hereditary basis.

The general food recommendations are:

Foods rich in polyunsaturated omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids:

Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA and DHA): very active from a biological point of view, they are contained above all in fishing products and in algae. The foods that contain the most are: Sardinian, mackerel, bonito, alaccia, herring, alletterato, ventresca of tuna, needlefish, algae, krill etc.
Alpha linolenic acid (ALA): compared to the previous ones it is biologically less active. It has the same function as EPA and DHA. It is mainly contained in the fat fraction of certain foods of vegetable origin or in the oils of: soy, linseed, kiwi seeds, grape seeds, etc.
Linoleic acid (LA): they are rich, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, sesame, almost all nuts, corn germ and related oils. The derivatives are:

Gamma linoleic acid (GLA) and diologamma linolenic acid (DGLA): borage oil is rich in it.
Arachidonic acid (AA): peanuts and other dried fruits are rich.

Antioxidant rich foods:

Vitaminics: the antioxidant vitamins are carotenoids (provitamin A), vitamin C and vitamin E.
Carotenoids are contained in vegetables and red or orange fruits (apricots, peppers, melons, peaches, carrots, squash, tomatoes, etc.); they are also present in shellfish and milk. Vitamin C is typical of acidulous fruit and some vegetables (lemons, oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, kiwi, peppers, parsley, chicory, lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, etc.). Vitamin E is available in the lipid portion of many seeds and related oils (wheat germ, maize germ, sesame, kiwi, grape seeds, etc.).
Minerals: zinc and selenium. The first is mainly contained in: liver, meat, milk and derivatives, some bivalve molluscs (especially oysters). The second is contained above all in: meat, fishery products, egg yolk, milk and dairy products, fortified foods (potatoes, etc.).
Polyphenols: simple phenols, flavonoids, tannins. They are very rich: vegetables (onion, garlic, citrus fruits, cherries, etc.), fruit and related seeds (pomegranate, grapes, berries, etc.), wine, oilseeds, coffee, tea, cocoa, legumes and whole grains, etc.

In the case of a milk crust associated with diarrhea and gas colic: eliminate food that is potentially responsible for food intolerances or allergies; some are lactose and milk proteins.
In the case of a compromised immune system (in addition to antioxidants), it is advisable to emphasize the contribution of:

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid: it is contained above all in vegetables and fresh fruits, better if acidulous: peppers, citrus fruits, parsley, kiwi, lettuce, apple, chicory etc.
Vitamin D or calciferol: it is mainly contained in: fish, fish oil and egg yolk.
Probiotics: they are physiological gut bacteria, also contained in fermented foods such as yogurt, tofu, tempeh, buttermilk etc.

What NOT to Eat

Foods rich in "bad fats": especially contained in fast food and other junk foods. As anticipated, many people claim to see an increase in dandruff in periods of disordered and unhealthy eating.
They could be directly involved:

Powerful fats (especially rich in trans chains): hydrogenated oils, margarines, sweet snacks, salty snacks, packaged baked goods, etc.
Saturated and bifractionated fats: fatty cheeses, cream, fatty cuts of fresh meat, sausages and cold cuts, hamburgers, frankfurters, palm kernel and palm oil, etc.

Alcohol.
Foods potentially responsible for food intolerances or allergies; some are lactose and milk proteins (especially in the case of a milk crust associated with diarrhea and gas colic).

Natural Cures and Remedies

Phytotherapy and herbal products. They are mainly plant extracts for topical use:

Chili extract.
Apple vinegar.
Eucalyptus essential oil.
Rosemary essential oil.
Lemon essential oil.
Nettle essential oil.
Sage essential oil.
Essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea tree): it is antiseptic and antifungal.

Pharmacological care

Those used against dandruff are not real drugs, but rather specific products (shampoos and lotions) that contain therapeutic molecules. They differ according to the active principle:

Zinc pyrithione: reduces the population of Malassezia furfur.
Tar: slows the rate of cell replacement and is useful against seborrheic dermatitis. It can be irritating.
Selenium sulphate: slows down the rate of cell replacement and is also effective against Malassezia furfur. NB . It is advisable to read the label and rinse thoroughly after use. In addition, some products can bleach dyed hair.
Ketoconazole: it is a broad-spectrum antifungal and can be effective where others fail.

If shampoos and lotions prove ineffective, dandruff could be the clinical sign of a more significant discomfort. At that point, under prescription, some dermatologists also administer corticosteroids.

Prevention

In addition to what was mentioned in the "What to do" for dandruff, we list some factors that can help prevent it:

Reduce psycho-physical stress
Wash your hair frequently, but with a shampoo that does not irritate the scalp: it favors the removal of excess sebum and prevents the appearance of dandruff.
Follow a diet rich in antioxidants (including minerals, especially zinc) and essential fatty acids. Some also support the role of sulfur amino acids and B group vitamins but these are more useful molecules for the health of the hair.
Reduce the consumption of alcohol and foods rich in "bad fats".
Reduce the use of irritating or oily cosmetics like: gel, lacquer or mousse.