Dandruff and Hair Shedding: What Is the Connection?

Dandruff commonly causes flaking and scalp itch. It does not usually destroy hair follicles or directly cause permanent baldness. However, persistent itching, scratching and an untreated inflammatory scalp condition can make shedding or breakage more noticeable.

Dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and hair loss

Dandruff is generally considered a mild form of seborrhoeic dermatitis. Seborrhoeic dermatitis can cause redness, greasy or dry scale and irritation, and may also affect areas such as the eyebrows, ears or sides of the nose. Neither condition should automatically be blamed for progressive patterned thinning.

Why hair may seem to fall more during a flare

Inflammation and repeated scratching can loosen hairs that were already close to shedding and can damage the hair shaft. At the same time, a person may have an unrelated cause of hair loss such as androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata or another scalp disorder. That is why ongoing thinning deserves its own assessment.

General dandruff care

Anti-dandruff shampoos can be useful, but the right ingredient and frequency depend on the scalp condition and product instructions. Persistent redness, thick scale, pain, discharge, hair loss in patches or symptoms that do not improve should be reviewed by a clinician rather than repeatedly changing products without a diagnosis.

Scalp oils are not a universal treatment for dandruff and can worsen symptoms for some people. Sun exposure is also not a reliable treatment strategy and should not be used as a substitute for appropriate scalp care.

When to seek evaluation for shedding

If shedding continues after scalp symptoms settle, or if there is widening of the part, recession, patchy loss or signs of scarring, an evaluation can help identify the cause. The hair loss guide explains common patterns and when specialist assessment may be useful.

Hair transplantation does not treat dandruff and is not a first-line response to active scalp inflammation. Surgery is considered only for selected forms of established hair loss after the scalp condition and donor suitability have been assessed. People considering surgical restoration can review the hair transplant guide or use the contact page to discuss suitability.

What you should know about dandruff and hair loss

People all over the world are experiencing hair loss. Apart from many other reasons, hair loss might be triggered by an unhealthy scalp. An unhealthy scalp can’t support healthy hair roots. Unhealthy hair roots, in turn, will give rise to weak and hair prone to falling. Unhealthy scalp too could be the result of dandruff.Dandruff triggers itchiness which can cause irritation due to scratching.

The irritation can lead to hair breakage and physical damage to the hair. If the hair loss is not arrested in the initial stages, it can lead to complete balding. One must opt for Hair transplant if one is in the danger of complete balding. But we must first get acquainted with what actually dandruff is, the connection between hair loss and dandruff and how to prevent such a condition.

What is Dandruff?

Dandruff is a condition in which the scalp is  rendered dry and the flakes are shed which are often visible on the head and appear on the shoulders when one combs.It is actually a condition in which the formation of dead skin cells is faster than usual and shows up as clumps of white flakes. Statistics show that around 40 percent of people over 30 years are affected by it.

What Causes Dandruff?

It may be caused due to a number of factors.While dry skin may trigger this condition, it may also be caused due to seborrheic dermatitis or eczema. One can also develop it if one is sensitive to certain hair products. A fungus could also cause this condition. The growth of the fungus may be caused due to stress or imbalanced hormonal activity. Problems with the immune system or excessive oil on the scalp may also be responsible for the condition.

Symptoms of Dandruff

Dandruff usually shows up as white flakes in the hair but it may also show up as red, scaly and itchy scalp. If it is seborrheic dermatitis, the symptoms develop gradually. The scalp may become dry or greasy or feel itchy and red. Sometimes it may spread to other parts of the body. One might notice yellowish or reddish scaling at the hairline, around the ears, nose, and chest.

Does dandruff trigger hair loss?

Absolutely yes. A healthy, dandruff-free scalp will produce healthy thick hair but a scalp which is covered with dry dandruff flakes will fail to produce healthy hair. Hair thinning can also find its roots in dandruff. A person must maintain a healthy,  well-conditioned scalp to promote the growth of healthy hair. The best cure for dandruff is shampooing regularly with a gentle shampoo which has herbal ingredients. Regular scalp massage is a must for maintaining healthy and beautiful hair.

A topical serum with methanol will provide the much needed soothing effect to the scalp.Check out with the doctor for more products which will help you treat this condition. Medicated shampoos with selenium sulfide,salicylic acid or zinc may also prove to be beneficial.One may also use corticosteroids application for a short duration of time to counter dandruff. The application of corticosteroids must not be carried on for a long duration without the advice of a doctor as it can cause thinning of the scalp and other detrimental effects.