Marked by itching and excessive flaking of the scalp, many people have this chronic scalp disorder called dandruff. It may be embarrassing to have dandruff which is surprisingly persistent, it is not contagious and is rarely serious.

Dandruff treatment may take a little persistence and patience since it is a chronic condition that can almost always be controlled. OTC dandruff shampoos may succeed when regular shampoos fail but you may need to experiment until you find the one that works best for you. According to their active ingredient, dandruff shampoos are classified like zinc pyrithione shampoos such as Selsun Salon and Head & Shoulders where they contain the antifungal and antibacterial agent zinc pyrithione, showing to reduce fungus that causes seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. Tar-based shampoos such as Neutrogena T/Gel also slow cell turnover, helping conditions such as dandruff. The other classifications of dandruff shampoos are Ketoconazole shampoos (Nizoral) and Selenium sulfide shampoos (Selsun Blue).

Having an itchy, scaling scalp where white, oily flakes of dead skin that dot ones hair and shoulders comprises the signs and symptoms of dandruff for most people.

Shampooing too often or not often enough, stress, poor diet, oily skin, dry skin and the use of too many fancy styling products are among the factors that cause dandruff. The yeast-like, fat-eating fungus called Malassezia, formerly called pityrosporum might be the real culprit with regard some of the factors that exacerbate or contribute to scalp flaking.

dandruff