Dandruff

Dandruff, also known scurf or Pityriasis capitis simplex, affects the scalp and causes flakes of skin to appear – it is a common condition. Our skin cells are forever renewing themselves. When the skin cells on our scalp are renewed the old ones are pushed to the surface and out of the scalp. For a person with dandruff the renewal is faster, meaning more dead skin is shed, making the dandruff more noticeable. Dandruff can also occur if the scalp is frequently exposed to extreme temperatures. Dandruff can be chronical (long-term) or the result of certain triggers. People with dandruff may also experience irritation and redness on the scalp. Some individuals with severe dandruff may have social or self-esteem problems. Therefore, treatment may be important for both physiological and psychological reasons.A dark shirt and dandruff just simply do not go together. There is nothing more embarrassing than to have someone brush white flakes off your black dress.

Pityriasis capitis or seborrhea or what we call “dandruff,” an itchy, annoying and persistent disorder of scalp, causes social or self-esteem problems. In today’s stressful world, it is becoming an increasingly common ailment. Dandruff is no longer a medical problem, it has a negative social connotation too. Everybody’s entire body surface continuously sheds dead skin cells. Infact all the cells of the skin are replaced every 24 days. Dandruff (Pityriasis Capitis, Seborrhea or Scurf) is due to excessive shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. As it is normal for skin cells to die and flake off, a small amount of flaking is normal and in fact quite common.

Dandruff can happen at any age. A form of dandruff know as cradle cap occurs in newborns and infants. The number of people suffering from dandruff is rising steadily. About 75% of the people visiting beauty saloons, pharmacies and dermatologists suffer from it.

But there is no reason why you should be embarrassed by a condition that is completely treatable with Ayurveda. One thing is sure, which every patient of dandruff should know, that dandruff may be a skin disease but it is not skin deep. Dandruff has deep roots and must be treated accordingly. Ayurvedic treatment prevents relapses and removes the tendency towards dandruff.

Ayurveda strongly believes in understanding the totalistic causative factors while handling skin diseases, whereby the study of skin, mind, genetic influences and immunological matters put together determines the line of treatment. Generally, Shampooing frequently to wash away flakes before they build up is the first step in treating dandruff. But it is difficult to shampoo enough to keep up with this extra shedding and most importantly shampooing may not stop the irritation or itching.

Steroid creams and lotions used in allopathy are merely short-term solutions and their prolonged use will cause thinning of the skin. When used for a longer period this can lead to skin cancer, melanoma and so on.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Dandruff

There are plenty of Ayurveda medicines which give great relief in dandruff (pityriasis capitis, seborrhoea or scurf). However, the correct choice of drugs and the resulting relief is a matter of experience and right judgment on the part of the Ayurvedic doctor. Last but not the least, Ayurveda is a highly effective treatment for elimination and total control of dandruff, which is one of the major reasons for hair loss.

• You should include plenty of vitamin B in the diet.
• Nutritional yeast and raw wheat germ are two excellent sources of vitamin B, especially vitamin B6 which plays an important role in controlling the dandruff.
• Eggs, cabbage also provide vitamin B6 in addition to supplying Sulphur which is nature’s beauty mineral for the scalp.
• Briskly massaging your scalp with coconut oil and medicated oils will improve circulation of the scalp.
• Brushing your hair with a natural-bristle brush also proves beneficial. Brush your hair from your scalp outward with steady, firm strokes. This will carry oil from your
• scalp, where it can cause dandruff, along the hair strands, which need the oil to stay shiny and healthy.
• Yoga headstand also helps with scalp blood circulation.
• Excercising out in fresh air will also help with blood circulation of the scalp.
• Results are usually observed within 2 to 5 weeks of treatment whereby dandruff reduces considerably.