Dandruff, or seborrhea, proceeding as an inflammatory process in the scalp, is characterized by a violation of the normal functioning of the sebaceous glands, as a result of which the release of sebum increases or decreases. Sometimes, with seborrhea, the chemical composition of sebaceous secretion also changes.
Usually, the cause of this phenomenon is the presence of several provoking factors. And if in time to identify, and to level out their effect on the body as much as possible, then it is quite possible to forget about dandruff without the use of expensive long-term treatment.
Presenting 10 main causes of dandruff.
10. Misuse of care products
Sometimes seborrhea appears due to an illiterate selection of hair and scalp care products (shampoo, balm, conditioner, etc.)
People who are prone to dandruff need to very carefully choose means for washing their hair to match the type of scalp.
Even if you purchase an expensive dandruff shampoo, trusting a well-known brand, you still can not be sure that the effect of its use will completely suit you, because such a tool should be selected individually. Remember, what helped one can harm another.
A high-quality remedy for seborrhea should solve the following problems: to effectively combat the fungus that causes dandruff, to extinguish the inflammatory process and itching of the scalp, and also to normalize the production of sebum.
9. Frequent dyeing and hot hair styling
Hair coloring with aggressive dyes with ammonia and regular styling with a hot hairdryer makes the scalp dry, which, of course, negatively affects its protective functions. Therefore, if you notice the appearance of dandruff, refuse for a while from such manipulations.
8. The disturbed ecology of the place of residence
Unfortunately, not many of us live in an environmentally friendly environment. Exhaust fumes, city dust, soot - all these factors negatively affect the condition of not only the hair and scalp, but also the health of the whole organism.
Therefore, living in a polluted environment, a person, among other symptoms, may one day notice the appearance of dandruff.
7. Neglect of headgear
Many people know that the scalp needs to “breathe,” so wearing too tight hats can adversely affect hair health.
However, if a person completely neglects headgear, especially in the cold season, this will also negatively affect the state of blood vessels and sebaceous glands of the scalp.
6. Hormonal disorders
The endocrine system in one way or another affects all the processes occurring in the human body. Hormones play a decisive role in the production of sebum, the presence of which is a prerequisite for the occurrence of dandruff.
The presence of these fats on the surface of the scalp is a completely normal condition. In addition, sebum is necessary to maintain moisture in the hair and scalp.
However, in the presence of certain individual characteristics of a person, the production of sebum can cause dandruff.
Sometimes seborrhea occurs during periods of hormonal jumps, for example, during adolescence, when the skin glands produce a significantly larger amount of fat than usual.
In addition, the cause of dandruff in women may be an increase in the concentration of male hormones. Also, a similar problem can occur as a result of hormone therapy, during menopause or taking oral contraceptives.
5. Weakened immunity
According to statistics, dandruff is registered in 36% of HIV-infected patients and in 80% of people with AIDS, while among people with a healthy immune system, the incidence of seborrhea is not more than 8%.
A direct relationship between the appearance of seborrhea and reduced immunity can be observed not only in such severe cases of immunodeficiency, but also during seasonal epidemics of acute respiratory viral infections, which reduce the protective ability of the immune system.
4. Diseases of the skin and digestive tract
The presence of chronic pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and liver has a significant effect on the appearance of dandruff.
In particular, exacerbation of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, intestinal dysbiosis, impaired production of enzymes and others can give impetus to the development of seborrhea.
Often, more serious skin diseases are masked under ordinary dandruff. For example, diseases such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis.
Due to the similarity of symptoms, a person may be mistakenly diagnosed and not receive timely adequate therapy, because in such cases, treatment is required differently than with normal seborrhea.
3. Allergy
A predisposition to the appearance of various kinds of allergic reactions is also a stimulating factor in the development of seborrhea.
If a rash occurs on the scalp, there is a violation of the secretion of the sebaceous glands, which in turn leads to excessive dryness of the scalp and dandruff. In this case, the main therapy of the disease should be aimed at stopping the manifestations of allergies.
2. Physical and nervous overwork
Chronic overwork or prolonged psycho-emotional stress can be a stimulating factor in the process of dandruff formation.
By themselves, stress or overwork is not the root cause of the development of seborrhea, it is caused by the fungus Malassezia globosa, which lives on the scalp of each of us. However, it is scientifically proven that these factors can enhance the manifestation of dandruff.
1. The lack of vitamins and minerals
When dandruff appears, you should first pay attention to your diet. Flour and confectionery products, alcohol adversely affect the condition of the scalp.
Also, regularly consuming large amounts of fatty, too spicy, fried, salty foods a person at times increases the likelihood of developing dandruff.
In the treatment of seborrhea, in addition to excluding harmful foods from the diet, it is necessary to include products containing a large number of vitamins and minerals, that is, to consume more vegetables and not very sweet fruits, dairy and sour-milk products.
You can also take vitamin complexes, which include vitamins A, E, B, C, calcium, copper, zinc.