Experiences with
DandruffCheck if it's dandruff
Dandruff causes white or grey flakes of skin to appear on the scalp and in the hair.
The flakes are often more noticeable in darker hair and if they fall from your scalp onto your shoulders.
Your scalp may also feel dry and itchy.
How to treat dandruff yourself
Use an anti-dandruff shampoo to treat dandruff. There are several different types you can buy from pharmacies or supermarkets.
Look for a shampoo that contains 1 of these ingredients:
- zinc pyrithione
- selenium sulphide (or selenium sulfide)
- ketoconazole
- coal tar with salicylic acid
A pharmacist can tell you how to use the shampoo.
Use the shampoo for a month to see if your dandruff gets better. You might need to try more than 1 type to find a shampoo that works for you.
- you still have dandruff symptoms after using anti-dandruff shampoo for a month
- your dandruff is bad or your scalp is very itchy
- your scalp is red or swollen
- you have flaky, itchy patches on your face or other parts of your body
The GP can check your scalp for skin conditions that could be causing your dandruff.
Causes of dandruff
Dandruff is not caused by poor hygiene, although it may be more obvious if you do not wash your hair regularly.
Stress and cold weather may also make dandruff worse.
SymptomsSelf-careCausesDandruff causes white or grey flakes of skin to appear on the scalp and in the hair. Your scalp may also feel itchy and dry.
You can treat dandruff yourself with anti-dandruff shampoo from a pharmacy or supermarket. Use it for a month to see if your dandruff gets better.
The most common cause of dandruff is a skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis. It can also be caused by an allergic reaction to hair products.
Related links
HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence
