Raechele Cochran Gathers, MD Dandruff and Hair Loss: What Causes Dandruff?
Dandruff, usually caused by a common condition called seborrheic dermatitis, is caused by inflammation on the scalp. Inflammation on the scalp is often at the heart of hair loss and excessive hair shedding. Untreated dandruff can make your hair fall out.
It’s important for us to talk about what ‘dandruff’ really is. Dandruff is excessive flaking and scaling on the scalp. It’s often associated with itching and tingling of the scalp, and people with dandruff can also have a tight feeling on the scalp.
A condition called seborrheic dermatitis is the most common cause of a dandruff and itchy scalp. People with seborrheic dermatitis can develop a thick, sometimes yellowish greasy scale throughout the scalp.
Common Signs of Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Itchy/tight scalp
- Greasy scaling on the scalp
- Scaling/flaking in the eyebrows
- Flaking around the hairline
- Scaling/flaking on the creases of the nose
- Crusting/scaling inside the ears
Seborrheic dermatitis is caused by your body having a strong response to a common scalp yeast, called Malassezia. Seborrheic dermatitis may flare during the winter, when temperatures are cold, and the humidity is low. It can also flare up if you’re under increased stress, or if you’re on certain medications.
Dandruff and Hair Loss: Inflammation
Inflammation is often at the heart of hair loss and hair shedding. Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis indicate that there is inflammation in the scalp and around the hair follicles. Common signs of scalp inflammation are scaling, itching, tenderness, redness, and warmth. If you have dandruff and are experiencing these symptoms, you could be at risk for hair shedding and hair loss.
Inflammation around your hair follicles can lead to hair loss and excessive shedding. Some people with severe dandruff notice shedding all over the scalp. Sometimes, dandruff and inflammation are worse around the hairline, and this can be a cause of thin edges.
Dandruff and Hair Loss: Treatment
Here’s some good news: Seborrheic dermatitis is typically easily treated and controlled. When people experience hair loss and excessive shedding from seborrheic dermatitis, it’s typically treatable and just temporary.
Common Treatments for Dandruff:
1. Ketoconazole Shampoo
Ketoconazole shampoo helps to treat the yeast that flares dandruff and helps calm an irritated scalp.
2. Salicylic Acid Shampoo
Salicylic acid is both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial and can help fix dry itchy scalp. It softens thick hard patches on the scalp and helps them wash away more easily.
3. Zinc Pyrithione Shampoo
Zinc pyrithione is antibacterial and antifungal and can help fix some types of itchy scalp. Many doctors recommend it for treating seborrheic dermatitis.
Dandruff and Hair Loss: Other Treatments
Besides the over the counter shampoos that we’ve discussed, there are also numerous home remedies that people use for dandruff , itchy scalp and scalp inflammation. You can read about them here.
For more severe cases of dandruff and hair shedding, there are many prescription shampoos and topical steroid preparations that can be used to decrease the inflammation of dandruff and decrease hair loss and shedding. In some cases, your dermatologist may even recommend steroid shots, which can be very helpful in cases of hair loss or excessive shedding.
Conclusion
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common cause of dandruff and can lead to hair loss. Fortunately, there are many treatments available to improve dandruff and stop the hair loss that can be associated with it.
