Scalp flaking or dandruff cause hair loss

For the past several months I am suffering from tremendous hair loss and dandruff. Could you please advise a suitable shampoo, hair loss and medication if any?
(October 13, 2010)

People often wonder if dandruff and hair loss are connected to each other. Can dandruff cause hair loss? Dandruff and hair loss are connected to each other but dandruff does not cause hair loss. Dandruff is a mild inflammation of the scalp which causes flaking. One of the main symptoms of dandruff is the white flakes on the hair which fall off and are visible, particularly when sufferers are wearing dark colored clothes.


There is no medical explanation for this shedding. Another symptom of dandruff is the frequent itching, inflammation and irritation one experiences on the scalp.  People who suffer from dandruff resort to scratching their scalp and this frequent scratching weakens the hair roots. This results in hair fall and this is how dandruff and hair loss are related to each other. This is the reason why people feel that dandruff can cause hair loss. Studies have now ruled out that dandruff itself will result in hair loss. Dandruff is not the cause of any balding, nor does it preempt any balding either.  The above should make it clear how dandruff and hair loss are connected.

There are many causes for dandruff. These include:-

• It is mainly due to a fungus caused Mallazesia globosa. This fungus floats in the atmosphere and can affect anybody.
• Excessive use of hair products
• Genetic problems
• Humidity
• Excessive exposure to the sunlight
• Stress
• Hormonal imbalances
• Perspiration
• Excessive intake of fats and sugars 
• Researchers also believe that the excessive production of sebum by the sebaceous glands present on the scalp is responsible for dandruff.
• Seborrhea – this is a disease of the skin and has been found to be responsible for cases of extreme dandruff in children and adults.

It is important to remember that dandruff is not a disease by itself. It is more likely a symptom of some other disorder that you may be suffering from. To get rid of dandruff, you will need to find the actual reason behind it. Only then will it be possible to treat and cure yourself. You will have to cure the actual ailment before your dandruff goes away completely.

In most cases, dandruff can be treated successfully, unless it is a genetic problem. There are several over the counter hair products (shampoos and conditioners) which are effective. Most of these special hair products contain chemicals which are left behind on the scalp even after washing off the shampoo/conditioner. These chemicals prevent the fungus from growing again on the scalp and so your hair is protected from dandruff.  Hair and skin specialists say that these products are quite safe to use, unless the person is allergic to the chemicals present in them.

There are also some home remedies that one can resort to for the treatment of dandruff. These remedies include washing your hair thoroughly after shampooing, massaging your scalp with warm coconut oil daily, avoiding frequent scratching if you are suffering from dandruff and so on.

Head experts and dermatologists are of the opinion that scalp information greatly contributes to hair loss and thinning of hair. Scalp flaking is also known as dandruff and can cause the inhibition of healthy hair growth. There are a number of medicated shampoos in the market and depending upon your condition of the hair, it is advisable that examination of the scalp by a dermatologist can help in prescribing the right course of treatment. Medicated shampoos containing ketaconazole can help in arresting scalp inflammation or dandruff. Do not attempt in using any kind of non proven herbal remedies available in the market, as these can cause greater secondary damage to the current condition. For genuine products it is essential that you get advise from your dermatologist for the correct prescription. Traditional medicine or home remedies on the other hand can help in treating the condition at the basic level. In addition to your primary cause of treatment recommended by your medical practitioner, the extract of soap nut can be used as a hair cleansing agent. The soap nut fruit also known as Sapindus emarginatus must be steeped in hot water for 20 minutes and squashed by the hands to remove the extract. The extract from the soap nut treat contains no side-effects and can be used as a shampoo. Another home remedy to treat dandruff is a paste made of crushed and soaked fenugreek seeds and sour yogurt. The scalp should be well massaged with this paste and should be left to stand for 30 minutes. The scalp and the hair can then be washed with the soap nut preparation.

Although hair oils are excellent for lubricating the scalp, certain scalp disorders that are caused due to an excess production of sebum will only be activated with the application of any types of hair oils. There are numerous such home remedies that can help nourish the scalp and arrest disorders, but the result is gradual and takes a lot of patience to view the benefits. Synthetic components and chemicals in medicated shampoos work best for a temporary period of time but it is highly recommended and essential that the condition gets immediate attention. You may have to keep a track of any kind of long-term drugs or medications that you may be taking, as certain drugs are likely to cause hair loss. Nutritional deficiency is also a major cause of hair loss and taking the right kind of treatment can help deliver the effects of scalp disorders.