Can dandruff lead to hair loss?

At some point in our lives, we have all experienced the embarrassment of white flakes on our shoulder. Dandruff can make us feel awkward or shy in social situations where we need to look and be at our best. Does this flaky condition can also lead to hair loss?

Unfortunately, this one holds true. While dandruff does not directly cause hair fall, it is one of the primary factors that aggravate hair loss. The main causes of hair loss in men and women remain stress, excessive use of styling products, chemicals, and diet. Dandruff acts as an instigator to the problem. A flaky scalp is an itchy scalp. Constant fiddling with the hair by pulling out flakes or scratching will lead to hair breakage and thus cause hair loss.

It is important that you find out the cause of your dandruff in order to stop losing more hair from your head. The most common causes of dandruff include poor cleaning habits, cold or dry weather, diet, mental stress, certain skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

Therefore, if you have an inflamed scalp or you notice any unusual hair loss, it is advised to contact a hair professional who can examine your scalp. The expert will be able to tell you whether you have a case of ‘severe form of dandruff’ called seborrhoeic dermatitis and create a custom treatment plan designed to manage your condition. They will also be able to help you manage any underlying hair loss condition, regardless of whether it is related to dandruff or not.

It is important to remember that dandruff is not usually a cause of hair loss in itself. However, an itchy or flaky scalp can be an indication that something may be amiss, so you should first try an anti-dandruff shampoo. You must keep your scalp clean by washing your hair frequently in order to avoid buildup of dandruff-triggering scalp oil and minimize the use of hair styling products that may aggravate the condition. You can also use natural dandruff cleansing shampoo, enriched with the homeopathic Thuja Occidentalis (white cedar), with clinically proven anti-dandruff properties, every alternate day.

Protecting your hair from bright sunlight and pollution by keeping your hair covered while travelling will also help in keeping your hair clean. Try to include foods rich in vitamin B (a deficiency can actually cause dandruff), as well as foods containing good oils, such as green vegetables, protein, grains, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc. If these tips fail to make any difference, you should seek professional assistance at your earliest convenience.

You can also take help of homeopathy for treating this flaky condition. Homeopathic medicines not only offer symptomatic relief without any side-effects but also treat the root cause of the problem, thereby reducing the possibility of a recurrence. It also boosts your immune system from within and hence gives you a long-lasting solution for seborrhoeic dermatitis.

As a result of seborrhoeic dermatitis treatment in homeopathy, you will see –

• reduction in itching and hence hair loss
• reduction in dandruff
• reduction in the intensity, frequency, and duration of complaints.