Although not contagious, this scalp condition can be extremely embarrassing and tricky to treat. No points for guessing, we’re talking about dandruff! Dandruff, a common hair concern, causes the skin on the scalp to flake. And not just scalp; if not treated at an earlier stage, it can also make skin flakes visible on your hair, eyebrows and shoulders.
While we’ve helped you with a step-by-step hair care routine to treat dandruff, detecting this scalp condition needs another discussion altogether. Most of the times, we don’t know the reason behind hair fall, tight scalp sensation or even acne. Do you know that all these concerns could be related to dandruff? Here are 5 symptoms of dandruff you need to know about.
01. Itchy scalp
The most common sign you’re having dandruff woes is an itchy scalp. The visible white flakes that fall off your scalp are actually dead skin cells that cause scalp itching. When you continuously feel the need to itch your scalp, even after a hair wash, it’s a sign that your scalp has more than just product build-up. This condition is more common in winters because dry scalp can cause winter dandruff. Scratching or rubbing your head vigorously can loosen the flakes that are more visible when you wear darker clothes.
02. Hair fall
Losing 50-100 hair strands on a daily basis is not a matter of concern. However, losing hair strands more than the average number can certainly be a sign of bigger hair concerns. In this case, it is a sign of dandruff. Yes, you read it right! If you experience hair fall at an alarming rate, then it’s time you start taking good care of your scalp. Dandruff is a scalp condition that needs to be treated as soon as possible or else it will lead to other major concerns such as scalp inflammation, hair loss and hair thinning.
03. Dry, lacklustre hair
Another sign you may have dandruff is when your hair looks super dull and dry. Dandruff tends to suck the existing oils from your scalp, leaving your hair dry, lacklustre and lifeless. Make sure you oil your hair regularly and go for a deep-cleanse at least once a month to bring your hair back to life.
04. Tightness
Did you know that dandruff can tamper with your skin’s natural moisture levels too? Dandruff allows essential moisture to leak out, making your scalp feel not just dry but also tight. When you feel tightness in your scalp, it’s a sure-shot sign of dandruff. So, don’t take this sign lightly! Wash your hair often to get rid of build-up, sweat and dirt, massage your scalp regularly and avoid very tight hairstyles such as cornrow braids and sleek buns.
05. Acne
You’ll be surprised to know that signs of dandruff don’t just show on your hair. Acne is also a sign that you may have dandruff in your hair. You’ll experience a sudden outbreak of acne or pimples that have a reddish appearance and are extremely painful. In many cases, you’ll be able to get rid of these pimples only after treating dandruff.
Written by Fatema Habib on Jan 24, 2020