Dandruff

Dandruff is a shedding of the skin on the scalp that leads to white flakes on the head, neck, and shoulders. Scalp may also be itchy and red, and eyelids, nose, and forehead may be affected. Dandruff is usually associated with the growth of a yeast like fungus on the scalp, and in most cases it is produced when the scalp doesn’t receive a sufficient blood supply or it can be a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis—a scaly, itchy rash that can also affect the eyelids. Consequently there is a lack of protein in the skin, which becomes dry and flaky. Dandruff is more common in men and may become worse by stress, illness, and some hair products.

Home Remedies

• Mix two egg whites with the fresh juice of one lime, and apply to your hair.
     Let it stay for a half hour, then wash the hair with neem soap.
• Message for a few minutes daily with neem oil (in a sesame oil base).
• Two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds should be soaked overnight in water
     and in the morning ground into a fine paste. Apply this paste all over the
     scalp and left for half an hour. Wash the hair thoroughly with soap-nut
     (ritha) solution or shikakai.
• Make a paste of neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) and apply to the scalp.
     Leave it on for half an hour and then wash the hair with lukewarm water.
• Mix two tablespoon of green gram powder in half a cup of curd and wash
     the hair with this mixture twice a week.
  

Do’s

• Eat more raw fruits and vegetables.
• Eat yogurt with live cultures.
• Keep hair and scalp clean to avoid accumulation of dead cells.
• Brush your hair daily to improve the circulation and remove any flakiness.
     Ultraviolet light can reduce the scalp inflammation and ease the flaking
     problem. So get out in the sun a little, it'll help your dandruff problem.
  

Don’ts

• Avoid dairy products, nuts, sugar, and fried foods.
• Avoid alcohol-based hair products such as hair sprays, which tend to dry
     out the scalp, and mousses, gels, and dyes, which may increase irritation
     and make dandruff worse.
• Avoid irritating shampoo or soaps.
• Avoid hair dryer as it may aggravate the dandruff.
• Avoid stress.
  

 See Doctor                                    

• Dandruff does not clear up after using these home remedies.
• Scalp becomes red and develops sore patches or crusts.