by fris
Dandruff is probably one of the oldest ailment known to man and has always been regarded as a very embarrassing condition. Apparently, during the Medieval Ages, most people did not wash their bodies on a regular basis, and certainly not their hair. Due to poor hygiene and lack of knowledge about human illness, people have been afflicted with dandruff.
Many people have this chronic scalp disorder, which is marked by itching and excessive flaking of the scalp. Although dandruff isn't contagious and is rarely serious, it can be really irritating and surprisingly persistent.
According to Proctor and Gamble, dandruff affects more than 50% of the population of the USA, so it is more common to have dandruff than not. It can occur at any age, but is most likely in the early '20s. It is usually seasonal and it is most severe during the winter and mildest during the summer.
About 25 years ago, dermatologists started to blame a fungus as the cause of dandruff. Fungi are microscopic plant organisms that consist of cells, such as mould, mildew, and yeast. They cannot produce their own food, thus they behave as either parasites or saprophytes, absorbing nutrients from organic matter, such as humans and animals. Essentially fungi are infections. More commonly known as moulds and yeasts, fungi are found in nature, and they appear in the environment (Geophilic), on humans (Anthropophlic), and on animals (Zoophilic). A tiny fungus called Pityrosporum Ovale is said to be the main culprit why dandruff and other infections occur on human hair and scalp.
The vast majority of hair infections usually occur in children. Mild scaling of the scalp, or a very inflamed abscess caused by bacteria are evidence of dandruff. It is very important to diagnose scalp hair fungal infection in children as well as those in close contact to clear the infection as well as to prevent permanent bald patches or hair loss.
Because dandruff usually starts after puberty and is more common in men than women, hormones may also be involved. For unknown reasons, people with some illnesses such as Parkinson's disease are more likely to have dandruff.
Dandruff particles are visible flakes of skin that have been continuously shed from the scalp. It is normal to shed some dead skin flakes as the skin is constantly renewing itself. The new cells are formed into the lower layers. They are gradually pushed to the surface as more new cells form beneath them. By the time, they reach the surface, the cells have become flat and overlap each other like roof tiles. These cells are dead then and are shed from the surface all the time. They are so small, that we humans do not notice this is happening.
With dandruff, this whole process of skin renewal (or skin turnover) speeds up, so a greater number of dead cells are being shed. The cells are also shed in clumps, which are big enough to be seen with the naked eye as embarrassing flakes, especially when they land on dark clothing. The scalp may also feel slightly itchy.
However, the good news is that dandruff can be controlled. Mild cases of dandruff may need nothing more than daily shampooing with a gentle cleanser. And stubborn flakes often respond to medicated shampoos. When regular shampoos fail, over-the-counter (OTC) shampoos can do the thing. The most effective medical treatment is an anti-yeast shampoo containing ketoconazole, which one can buy from a chemist without a doctor's prescription. But dandruff shampoos aren't all alike, and one may need to experiment until he or she can find one that works best.
About the Author
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Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Herbal Solutions To Get Rid Of Dandruff
By Vanessa A. Doctor
Getting dandruff could be a truly disgusting and irritating condition. Dandruff refers to the flaking scalp that falls of like snowflakes on your head, and sometimes settles on your shoulders, face, eyebrows and clothes. In the case of excessive scaly formations, an irritating condition occurs which is associated with bacteria. Dandruff is usually infectious, and can be transferred to others by the use of common towels, combs, soap and hairbrushes.
Types And Causes Of Dandruff
There are generally two types of dandruff, dry and waxy dandruff. An itchy scalp typifies dry dandruff, and the small, white scales are generally attached to the scalp or are loosely scattered in the hair. Waxy dandruff arises when the scaliness of the epidermis is mixed with sebum, which causes it to stick to the scalp in patches. Dandruff can be caused many reasons, and the contributing factors could be poor nutrition, zinc deficiency, yeast infections, high use of alkaline soaps or shampoos and the malassezia furfur fungus.
Herbal remedies For Dandruff
- Goldenseal. In preparing a solution made from goldenseal, pour 1 cup boiling water over 2 teaspoons chopped root. Steep, strain, and lather as a scalp rinse three or four times a day. Its main ingredient, berberine, has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties but may irritate the skin.
- Olive oil. Applying this mixture should be done at night. Mix together 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of lime juice. Apply it all onto the hair and massage into the scalp. Put an old scarf or cloth of any kind around your head, and shampoo the following morning to rid of the mixture.
- Garlic. To prepare mixture, crush raw garlic clove and apply the pulp to the affected skin. The pulp and oil both contain an antibacterial and antifungal sulfur compound called allicin. But both pulp and oil may also irritate the skin or cause allergic dermatitis.
- Beet root juice mixed with cider vinegar and ginger juice is helpful in treating and removing dandruff.
- Snake Gourd. The juice from snake gourd is very effective treatment in curing dandruff when rubbed gently on the scalp.
- Aloe vera. Aloe vera is generally used for growing hair naturally. If you grow aloe vera in your garden, go and get around 3 stalks. Split the center lengthwise and scrape out all the gel. If you don't have an aloe vera plant you can buy aloe vera gel from the health food store. Rub the gel into your scalp. Leave it on for at least half an hour then wash your hair with a shampoo containing aloe vera. Dandruff generally clears away in two weeks with regular use.
- Rosemary. To make a tea, pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon of chopped rosemary leaves. Steep, strain, and apply once a day as a compress. Tea bags and tinctures are also available. Topical use may cause allergic dermatitis
- Fenugreek seeds. These seeds are soaked in water and left on the scalp undisturbed at night. These seeds are grinded and applied on scalp gently. Leave it for 45 minutes, and rinse off afterwards.
Prime Herbal - http://primeherbal.com
Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top - SEO Company
Getting dandruff could be a truly disgusting and irritating condition. Dandruff refers to the flaking scalp that falls of like snowflakes on your head, and sometimes settles on your shoulders, face, eyebrows and clothes. In the case of excessive scaly formations, an irritating condition occurs which is associated with bacteria. Dandruff is usually infectious, and can be transferred to others by the use of common towels, combs, soap and hairbrushes.
Types And Causes Of Dandruff
There are generally two types of dandruff, dry and waxy dandruff. An itchy scalp typifies dry dandruff, and the small, white scales are generally attached to the scalp or are loosely scattered in the hair. Waxy dandruff arises when the scaliness of the epidermis is mixed with sebum, which causes it to stick to the scalp in patches. Dandruff can be caused many reasons, and the contributing factors could be poor nutrition, zinc deficiency, yeast infections, high use of alkaline soaps or shampoos and the malassezia furfur fungus.
Herbal remedies For Dandruff
- Goldenseal. In preparing a solution made from goldenseal, pour 1 cup boiling water over 2 teaspoons chopped root. Steep, strain, and lather as a scalp rinse three or four times a day. Its main ingredient, berberine, has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties but may irritate the skin.
- Olive oil. Applying this mixture should be done at night. Mix together 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of lime juice. Apply it all onto the hair and massage into the scalp. Put an old scarf or cloth of any kind around your head, and shampoo the following morning to rid of the mixture.
- Garlic. To prepare mixture, crush raw garlic clove and apply the pulp to the affected skin. The pulp and oil both contain an antibacterial and antifungal sulfur compound called allicin. But both pulp and oil may also irritate the skin or cause allergic dermatitis.
- Beet root juice mixed with cider vinegar and ginger juice is helpful in treating and removing dandruff.
- Snake Gourd. The juice from snake gourd is very effective treatment in curing dandruff when rubbed gently on the scalp.
- Aloe vera. Aloe vera is generally used for growing hair naturally. If you grow aloe vera in your garden, go and get around 3 stalks. Split the center lengthwise and scrape out all the gel. If you don't have an aloe vera plant you can buy aloe vera gel from the health food store. Rub the gel into your scalp. Leave it on for at least half an hour then wash your hair with a shampoo containing aloe vera. Dandruff generally clears away in two weeks with regular use.
- Rosemary. To make a tea, pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon of chopped rosemary leaves. Steep, strain, and apply once a day as a compress. Tea bags and tinctures are also available. Topical use may cause allergic dermatitis
- Fenugreek seeds. These seeds are soaked in water and left on the scalp undisturbed at night. These seeds are grinded and applied on scalp gently. Leave it for 45 minutes, and rinse off afterwards.
Prime Herbal - http://primeherbal.com
Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top - SEO Company
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
5 easy tips on how to get rid of dandruff
Mike Grove
In this article I'll share with you my 5 easy tips to get rid of dandruff
1. Try vinegar. Pour vinegar into your hair and massage it all the way through for a couple of minutes. Then leave it dry for a few more minutes. Then wash your hair as normal. Do this everyday for a few days until your dandruff is gone. It should be gone in a few days.
2. A prescription steroid lotion might be the best bet. Steroid lotions can sometimes be the most popular treatment for dandruff.
3. Consider changing your diet. Try to cut out foods that are processed and high in hydrogenated fats. Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating wild cold-water fish, freshly ground flax seeds, walnuts, fortified eggs, and leafy green vegetables. Trying to avoid dairy products may help you.
4. Try hypnosis! Believe it or not, sometimes skin conditions respond to hypnosis! So consider seeing a hypnotherapist experienced in treating them. Try here to find a hypnotherapist in your area (www.asch.net/referrals.asp).
5. See a Dermatologist. In some cases a scalp disease coule be the cause of severe dandruff. When this happens you should definetely make an appointment to see your dermatologist. Try here to find one in your area http://www.aad.org/public/searchderm.htm
In this articles I shared with you my 5 easy tips for getting rid of dandruff.
Did you find those tips on how to get rid of dandruff useful? You can learn a lot more about how to get rid of dandruff here."
Mike Grove is a regular everyday citizen who searches for simple solutions to common everyday problems. He is the webmaster for http://www.successwww.com.
In this article I'll share with you my 5 easy tips to get rid of dandruff
1. Try vinegar. Pour vinegar into your hair and massage it all the way through for a couple of minutes. Then leave it dry for a few more minutes. Then wash your hair as normal. Do this everyday for a few days until your dandruff is gone. It should be gone in a few days.
2. A prescription steroid lotion might be the best bet. Steroid lotions can sometimes be the most popular treatment for dandruff.
3. Consider changing your diet. Try to cut out foods that are processed and high in hydrogenated fats. Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating wild cold-water fish, freshly ground flax seeds, walnuts, fortified eggs, and leafy green vegetables. Trying to avoid dairy products may help you.
4. Try hypnosis! Believe it or not, sometimes skin conditions respond to hypnosis! So consider seeing a hypnotherapist experienced in treating them. Try here to find a hypnotherapist in your area (www.asch.net/referrals.asp).
5. See a Dermatologist. In some cases a scalp disease coule be the cause of severe dandruff. When this happens you should definetely make an appointment to see your dermatologist. Try here to find one in your area http://www.aad.org/public/searchderm.htm
In this articles I shared with you my 5 easy tips for getting rid of dandruff.
Did you find those tips on how to get rid of dandruff useful? You can learn a lot more about how to get rid of dandruff here."
Mike Grove is a regular everyday citizen who searches for simple solutions to common everyday problems. He is the webmaster for http://www.successwww.com.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Alternative Medicines - Herbal Remedies For a Dandruff
by Franchis Adam
Dandruff is due to the excessive shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. Dandruff can happen at any age but is most commonly found in people between the ages of 12 and 80. Dandruff is not an organism like lice; it is just dead skin that accumulates in the scalp. Dandruff is unlikely to be the cause of hair loss. Dandruff is a global phenomenon and many people find that dandruff can cause social or self-esteem problems. Dandruff is an itchy, annoying and persistent skin disorder of the scalp. A dark shirt and dandruff just simply don't go together! There is nothing more embarrassing than to have someone brush white flakes off your new black sweater or denim jacket. In the past ten years dandruff problems in the United States have become more serious and more frequent. In a normal scalp, the process of sloughing off old cells and manufacturing of their replacements is very orderly and complete. In the dandruff scalp, there is mass disorder and often the departing cells are not dead before leaving the scalp.
Dandruff can cause either an overly dry scalp with itchy white flakes that may be waxy or greasy or dandruff can manifest as an oily greasy scalp with scales. Dandruff mostly occurs after puberty, usually between the ages of 20 and 30, and affects males more than females. Dry skin. Simple dry skin -- the kind you get in winter when the air is cold and rooms are overheated -- is by far the most common cause of itchy, flaking skin. Seborrheic dermatitis. This condition, a frequent cause of dandruff, is marked by red, greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales. Seborrheic dermatitis affects not only your scalp but also other areas rich in oil glands, such as your eyebrows, the sides of your nose and the backs of your ears, your breastbone, your groin area, and sometimes your armpits. Dandruff is the shedding of excessive amounts of dead skin flakes from the scalp.
People who actually have a dry scalp are also dry all over their skin. Some people say their dandruff gets worse when they are stress, anxiety and tension. Dandruff is a chronic condition that can almost always be controlled, but dandruff treatment may take a little patience and persistence. Zinc pyrithione shampoos-These contain the antibacterial and antifungal agent zinc pyrithione, which has been shown to reduce the fungus that causes dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Age-Dandruff usually begins at puberty -- about the same time as acne. It's common throughout adolescence and young adulthood and peaks around age 40. Oily hair and scalp. Malassezia feeds on oils in your scalp. For that reason, having excessively oily skin and hair makes you more prone to dandruff. Head & Shoulders anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Zinc pyrithione. Nizoral Shampoo anti-fungal/anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Ketoconazole. The antifungal properties of Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Oil) have been reported as useful in the treatment of dandruff.
Dandruff Treatment Tips
1. Washing hair with rubbing alcohol gets rid of the dandruff and leaves hair feeling soft and clean.
2. Head & Shoulders anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Zinc pyrithione.
3. Nizoral Shampoo anti-fungal/anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Ketoconazole.
4. Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Oil) have been reported as useful in the treatment of dandruff.
5. Selenium sulfide been reported as the most effective of the tested shampoos at treating dandruff.
6. Oral anti-fungals and oral antibiotics if your scalp becomes infected.
7. Topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, keratolytics to remove thick scaly patches.
8. Nizoral Shampoo anti-fungal/anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Ketoconazole.
9. Tar containing shampoos are also used for treatment of dandruff.
10. Washing hair with rubbing alcohol gets rid of the dandruff and leaves hair feeling soft and clean.
About the Author
Read out Natural herbs . Also check out for pregnancy diet and aloe vera capsule
Dandruff is due to the excessive shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. Dandruff can happen at any age but is most commonly found in people between the ages of 12 and 80. Dandruff is not an organism like lice; it is just dead skin that accumulates in the scalp. Dandruff is unlikely to be the cause of hair loss. Dandruff is a global phenomenon and many people find that dandruff can cause social or self-esteem problems. Dandruff is an itchy, annoying and persistent skin disorder of the scalp. A dark shirt and dandruff just simply don't go together! There is nothing more embarrassing than to have someone brush white flakes off your new black sweater or denim jacket. In the past ten years dandruff problems in the United States have become more serious and more frequent. In a normal scalp, the process of sloughing off old cells and manufacturing of their replacements is very orderly and complete. In the dandruff scalp, there is mass disorder and often the departing cells are not dead before leaving the scalp.
Dandruff can cause either an overly dry scalp with itchy white flakes that may be waxy or greasy or dandruff can manifest as an oily greasy scalp with scales. Dandruff mostly occurs after puberty, usually between the ages of 20 and 30, and affects males more than females. Dry skin. Simple dry skin -- the kind you get in winter when the air is cold and rooms are overheated -- is by far the most common cause of itchy, flaking skin. Seborrheic dermatitis. This condition, a frequent cause of dandruff, is marked by red, greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales. Seborrheic dermatitis affects not only your scalp but also other areas rich in oil glands, such as your eyebrows, the sides of your nose and the backs of your ears, your breastbone, your groin area, and sometimes your armpits. Dandruff is the shedding of excessive amounts of dead skin flakes from the scalp.
People who actually have a dry scalp are also dry all over their skin. Some people say their dandruff gets worse when they are stress, anxiety and tension. Dandruff is a chronic condition that can almost always be controlled, but dandruff treatment may take a little patience and persistence. Zinc pyrithione shampoos-These contain the antibacterial and antifungal agent zinc pyrithione, which has been shown to reduce the fungus that causes dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Age-Dandruff usually begins at puberty -- about the same time as acne. It's common throughout adolescence and young adulthood and peaks around age 40. Oily hair and scalp. Malassezia feeds on oils in your scalp. For that reason, having excessively oily skin and hair makes you more prone to dandruff. Head & Shoulders anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Zinc pyrithione. Nizoral Shampoo anti-fungal/anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Ketoconazole. The antifungal properties of Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Oil) have been reported as useful in the treatment of dandruff.
Dandruff Treatment Tips
1. Washing hair with rubbing alcohol gets rid of the dandruff and leaves hair feeling soft and clean.
2. Head & Shoulders anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Zinc pyrithione.
3. Nizoral Shampoo anti-fungal/anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Ketoconazole.
4. Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Oil) have been reported as useful in the treatment of dandruff.
5. Selenium sulfide been reported as the most effective of the tested shampoos at treating dandruff.
6. Oral anti-fungals and oral antibiotics if your scalp becomes infected.
7. Topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, keratolytics to remove thick scaly patches.
8. Nizoral Shampoo anti-fungal/anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Ketoconazole.
9. Tar containing shampoos are also used for treatment of dandruff.
10. Washing hair with rubbing alcohol gets rid of the dandruff and leaves hair feeling soft and clean.
About the Author
Read out Natural herbs . Also check out for pregnancy diet and aloe vera capsule
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