Have you ever experienced the feeling of dandruff on your scalp but have no idea if it’s actually dandruff? The truth is that there are so many causes for these symptoms, and they can be very hard to diagnose. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most common symptoms of dry scalp and dandruff and how to treat and know the difference between the two.
Table of Contents
Symptoms You Have Dandruff:
- The most obvious symptom of dandruff is visible white flakes that appear on your hair and shoulders.
- Itchy, irritated skin. Another telltale sign of dandruff is itchy, irritated skin, which may be accompanied by a red rash (a condition called seborrheic dermatitis). Sometimes the symptoms of dandruff are mistaken for an allergic reaction.
- You have dry skin. Dandruff isn’t the only cause of flaky, itchy skin-a; a dry scalp can also result in flaking and itching, but not all cases of a dry scalp result in dandruff.
How to Treat Dandruff –
- The first step to getting rid of dandruff is to invest in a good anti-dandruff shampoo
- Make sure you follow the directions on the bottle and use your shampoo two times a week until your symptoms have subsided.
- Depending on how severe your symptoms are, it may take three or four weeks before you see results. Continued use of shampoo is required in order to keep your symptoms under control.
- If you notice that your symptoms are coming back, it means that you need to speak with a dermatologist about other possible treatments.
- Dandruff is caused by several different things. If you’re not treating the root cause, then your symptoms will always come back.
- You can also use argan oil for hair
Things You Can Do in the Meantime:
- Try not to use hair products and hair styling tools in order to keep your scalp clean and reduce the amount of oil that is on your skin, which can clog pores.
- Limit the amount of hair around your face by tying it back or wearing headbands.
- Avoid using hot styling tools (curling irons and straightening irons) on your hair daily.
- Try wearing hats or headbands on days where you plan on using styling tools.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly at the end of each.
Symptoms You Have a Dry Scalp:
- White flakes. Dry skin can cause your scalp to become flaky and itchy, but that’s where the similarities end because dandruff isn’t the only cause of a white-flaky scalp. For example, psoriasis is a condition where white, scaly patches form on your skin.
- Redness and irritation. While flakes might be annoying enough, the real annoyance with a dry scalp is that it can lead to redness and itchiness of the scalp-this is caused by the reaction between the moisture in your hair and the skin on your scalp.
- You have oily skin or hair. While dry skin and hair are the more common cause of dandruff, it’s possible to have an oily scalp but not suffer from dandruff symptoms. Since oils are moisturizers, this means that you don’t actually have a dry scalp despite having flakes.
How to Treat Dry Scalp –
- Use a moisturizing conditioner every time you shampoo your hair.
- You can also use a leave-in conditioner, which coats the scalp for extra moisture.
- If you have very dry skin, try using an exfoliating scrub once or twice a week. This will rid the skin of flakes and other dirt that might have built up over time.
- If you’re suffering from a flaky scalp as a result of psoriasis, the first thing you need to do is speak with a dermatologist about your options. Most cases of mild psoriasis can be cured through topical creams applied directly to the skin.
- If lack of moisture isn’t the cause of your flaking and itching, it’s best to consult with a doctor about what might be triggering your symptoms.
Things you can do in the meantime:
- Avoid using hot styling tools (curling irons and straightening irons) on your hair daily
- Try wearing hats or headbands on days where you plan on using styling tools
- Rinse your hair thoroughly at the end of each day with lukewarm water
- You can also use a gentle shampoo to rid the scalp of excess oil and dirt that might be triggering flaking.
How To Tell the Difference:
The best way to tell whether you have dandruff, or a dry scalp is to use an anti-dandruff shampoo regularly. When used regularly, most anti-dandruff shampoos are effective at removing excess flakes that appear on your hair and shoulders. If the flakes disappear after consistent use of anti-dandruff shampoo, then your original suspicion of having dandruff is most probably the correct one.
If you do not notice any change in your symptoms after using an anti-dandruff shampoo, the next step is to speak with a dermatologist who will be able to identify the root cause of your flaking and itching.
There are two other types of flakes that can appear on your scalp:
– Black flakes: also known as “raccoon dandruff,” this type of dandruff is a result of hair product build-up, particularly from a gel, hairspray, or mousse – if you use these products on a regular basis, you may find that this “raccoon dandruff” ends up on the shoulders of your shirt.
– White flakes: also known as “snowflake dandruff,” these flakes are due to dry skin, usually caused by cold weather or using hot tools (such as hairdryers and straighteners) too often.
We hope this article was informative and has helped you know the basic differences between dandruff vs. dry scalp and ways to treat two conditions.
