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Home remedies for dandruff
contents
- What are "scales"?
- Causes of greasy dandruff
- Causes of dry dandruff
- Other causes
- Home remedies for dry dandruff
- olive oil
- beer flushing
- Willow bark extract
- Mask made of egg, honey and oil
- Home remedies for greasy scales
- Herbal tea for fat scales
- burdock
- lemon
- Tea Tree & Lavender
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- baking powder
- Beware of anti-dandruff shampoos
- The right hair care
- Proper hair wash
- Proper blow drying
- Nutrition tips for dandruff
- Possible zinc deficiency
- Zinc rich foods
What are "scales"?
The so-called "dandruff" (medically: Pityriasis simplex capitis) is a larger accumulation of horny cells that detach from the scalp. A basically normal process, because the skin of the human usually renews itself about once a month and automatically repels the old cells. Accordingly, dandruff is not an indication of neglect or lack of hygiene, but rather represent a natural and meaningful phenomenon in the course of skin renewal dar. Sometimes dandruff occur not only on the head, but as a flaky skin in other places.
Dandruff itch and wet on the scalp. Home remedies can help. (Image: vchalup / fotolia.com) As a rule, the horn plates are so small that they are invisible to the naked eye. This changes, however, if the normal process is disturbed. For example, if the new cells grow so fast that the ones above can not be peeled off in time, cell clusters form, which become externally visible in the form of dandruff beyond a certain size. The darker the outerwear, the more noticeable. In order to best alleviate the annoying dandruff, we must first know what kind of dandruff it is.
Causes of greasy dandruff
For their part, oily dandruff usually results from the overproduction of sebum, which combines with the detached horny cells. In the form of oily, yellowish platelets these are then recognizable between the hairs. Reasons for a functional disorder of the sebaceous glands can be, for example, hormonal changes, especially during puberty, hereditary factors or the so-called "seborrheic dermatitis", which affects about three to ten percent of the population. If they also suffer from greasy hair, they will find some home remedies for greasy hair here. The greasy scales stick together quickly and also provide an ideal breeding ground for bacteria or fungi such as the harmless yeast fungus "Malassezia furfur", which often leads initially to severe itching. If the pathogens reach deeper into the scalp due to scratching, however, it leads to infections, which can massively increase the symptoms.
Causes of dry dandruff
A distinction is made between dry and greasy dandruff. The former indicate that the scalp is too dry or overused, producing excess horny cells. These then trickle like fine "snow" on shoulders and back. The dryness of the skin may have various triggers such as heating air, sun exposure, air conditioning or too hot and too frequent hair washing and blow drying. If the hair is additionally dry, you will find home remedies for dry hair here.
It is high time for the dermatologist if the scales, as shown here, attract attention and deter people. (Image: Andrey Popov / fotolia.com) For sensitive people often even the repeated washing with an unsuitable, degreasing shampoo, so it comes to dehydration of the scalp, dandruff and severe itching. In addition, the dry, whitish flakes can also be caused by an accelerated skin metabolism in the course of an allergic disease such as hay fever (pollen allergy) or asthma.
Other causes
Our scalp reacts just as sensitively to persistent stress as lack of sleep or excessive consumption of stimulants such as nicotine and alcohol. Even a one-sided, particularly sugar-rich diet - often low in healthy fats and important vitamins and minerals - often leads to dandruff. Equally negative here is a lack of exercise, thereby reducing the blood flow and reduces the supply to the scalp. In the worst case it can lead to circulatory disorders and this can affect the entire hair growth. Sometimes even hair care products themselves trigger the overproduction of these unpleasant platelets as our scalp reacts to a contact allergy.
In addition, dandruff can also indicate various skin problems. These include psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and fungal infections such as the small mushroom lichen in question. Also possible are a contact allergy (for example, to fragrances, preservatives in cosmetics, etc.) or a butterfly lichen (lupus erythematosus). Some bacteria can lead to massive dandruff.
If the skin is often as irritated and reddened as in the picture - and this in connection with an itching - it could be atopic dermatitis, which also leads to dander. (Image: casi / fotolia.com) When treating dandruff it is important to know if they are greasy or just dry. Only then can they be specifically treated. Otherwise, the problem of dandruff could be aggravated by the wrong home remedies. Accordingly, sufferers should always seek a dermatologist for a longer-lasting desquamation as a precaution, clarify the exact cause and if necessary initiate the appropriate treatment.
Home remedies for dry dandruff
In dry dandruff, especially all influences should be avoided, which can lead to an additional dehydration of the scalp. These are, for example, strong sunlight, hot blow-dry, dyeing or even straightening the hair. In addition, it is important to calm the scalp and bring it back into balance. For example, a pack of yoghurt or quark may be helpful, which should be carefully rubbed in, left on the skin for about 15 minutes and then rinsed thoroughly with a mild care product (baby shampoo!). A treatment with oil can provide a soft scalp and thus less dandruff.
olive oil
Olive oil is rich in vitamin E, which is beneficial for our scalp and dandruff. It can moisturize the scalp and support the healing process of the irritated scalp. For the application of olive oil, a tablespoon of the oil is warmed a bit, then distributed on the scalp and gently massaged. Then wrap the hair in a warm towel and let the oil soak for 45 minutes. Then wash the hair with a mild shampoo. Repeat this application once or twice a week.
Olive oil is an old home remedy for dry hair. (Image: Dušan Zidar / fotolia.com) beer flushing
Especially with dry scales, a cure with beer can work wonders. In addition to numerous vitamins, it also contains important minerals that can benefit the skin and hair. The beer can be poured slowly over the scalp after shampooing with mild shampoo. Incidentally, this is also a scaldless beer, which is still over from the previous evening. Likewise, the beer can be put into a spray bottle and sprayed directly onto the hairstyle. Do not worry, the slightly yeasty smell evaporates again after a short time.
Willow bark extract
This willow bark extract - also known as the "wheat eater" - can help against dry dandruff on the scalp. It does not necessarily have to be an expensive shampoo that also contains additives that dry out the hair. The willow bark extract can be easily produced by yourself. Only thin willow branches are needed for this. These can be found easily at the pasture or meadow edge. The pasture is very widespread. Wash these hotweighs (about 150 grams) hot, then cut them with pruning shears and let the pieces soak in half a liter of water for 24 hours. The antiseptic extract can be stored in the refrigerator for a week without any problems and simply be re-stirred if necessary. After shampooing, apply generously over the scalp and let it dry slowly with a towel. The salicylic acid contained in willow even serves as a mild herbal analgesic, and is now marketed as chemically similar to ASA.
Mask made of egg, honey and oil
In addition to other home remedies for dry hair can be used to prevent dandruff and fight. For example, heated olive oil (about 100 ml), which is mixed with egg yolks and a little honey, is incorporated into the scalp and hair after washing and rinsed out again after about 30 minutes.
In dry dandruff it is helpful to provide the scalp with healthy fats. In addition to the egg-honey-oil cure and the fat from avocados is extremely suitable. (Image: de_nise / fotolia.com) Home remedies for greasy scales
The home remedies listed above are suitable for the treatment of dry dandruff, where the scalp is just as dry and irritated. On the contrary, oily scales have to be averted by other means. It is more important to gently remove excess fat from the scalp.
Herbal tea for fat scales
A thyme infusion has proven to be a home remedy for natural hair care. For this, first a tablespoon of the Mediterranean spice is poured over with a cup of boiling water. Then let the tea cool a bit, pour it through a sieve and gently massage it into the scalp, whereby the remainders of this homemade hair care must not be rinsed afterwards.
A cure from nettles is considered a traditional remedy for dandruff. For these, a handful of fresh or dried stinging nettle leaves are doused with half a liter of boiling fruit vinegar, allowed to set for about ten minutes, strained and also introduced into the scalp. In addition, regular washing of the hair with lime blossom or chamomile tea can help, and the active ingredients should be allowed to soak for about one hour before rinsing thoroughly.
The common nettle (here in the wild) helps with many ailments - as a teaspoon on the scalp against dandruff. When used externally, it can even combat psoriasis when used continuously. (Image: Melica / fotolia.com) burdock
The great burdock (Arctium lapa L.) thrives throughout Europe, especially on roadsides, on fallow land, on rubbish dumps and on stream banks. As a medicinal plant, it also helps with liver / biliary problems. However, she is known more for the increase of hair growth and extensive help with skin problems. The finished burdock root oil is commercially available. Likewise, a tea stock of the dried roots can be used. These roots are either self-harvested and dried - or purchased as medicinal tea. The rubbing in of the scalp with burdock root oil provides suppleness and can thus significantly reduce the formation of dandruff.
lemon
For greasy dandruff and itchy it may be helpful to add a tablespoon of lemon juice to the mild shampoo and then wash your hair as normal. Alternatively, the scalp can be rubbed off first with the two halves of a lemon and then washed after about ten minutes exposure time. The lemon helps against yeasts and fungi on the scalp that cause itching.
Tea Tree & Lavender
Another effective home remedy for oily hair and dandruff is tea tree oil because it has an antiseptic and balancing effect on sebum production. For a particularly simple application, about 20 drops of the oil are added directly to a mild shampoo. Subsequently, however, shaking should be done until the substances have completely mixed together. Oil of lavender, which can be used in the same way, also helps.
The Australian tea tree grows especially in Asutralien, but also in Asia. Its ingredients are widely appreciated in natural medicine. Here you can see it in its natural wild form and full bloom. (Image: Melastmohican / fotolia.com) Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is rich in acetic acid, which reduces the growth of fungi and thus also relieves itching on the scalp. For the application half a cup of apple cider vinegar with two cups of lukewarm water mix and use this mixture after hair washing as a hair conditioner. The conditioner is massaged into the scalp, flows out again and does not need to be rinsed out. The subtle scent evaporates at the latest when the hair has dried. Repeat this application one to two times a week and an amelioration of the problem should show up soon. The acidity of the vinegar can namely normalize the pH of the damaged scalp, thereby reducing dandruff.
baking powder
Yes, even soda can help against dandruff - especially against greasy. Since baking powder is present in almost every household, the powder is particularly suitable for spontaneous use. First, the hair is wet with water as normal. In the wet scalp, a handful of Natrons is now massaged intensively into the skin. Allow to soak in, then rinse again without shampoo. This remedy must be used several times to have an effect.
Beware of anti-dandruff shampoos
For treatment often so-called "anti-dandruff shampoos" are recommended, which promise a fast and long-lasting success. However, sufferers should look closely and seek the advice of their dermatologist because the products are not always as helpful as they are. The special products from the pharmacy can be useful in the case of greasy dandruff, as they flush out excess fat and usually contain other substances besides fungi-killing substances (antifungals) such as ketoconazole or clotrimazole.
The common burdock grows in our latitudes at many locations. Here you can see them in flowering form in early summer, it is up to three feet high. The oil of the Velcro root also helps against dry dandruff. (Image: M. Schuppich / fotolia.com) Care should be taken with extremely dry, flaky scalp. Since the shampoos are tuned to an increased production of sebum, a treatment can do exactly the opposite. Accordingly, the skin is additionally strained and dried out, which aggravates dandruff and itching. Instead, a mild shampoo should be used that is specifically designed for dry and sensitive skin and therefore not degreased. Gentle baby shampoos without perfumes are particularly suitable for this. They hardly attack the natural flora of the scalp.
The right hair care
For dandruff, it is therefore particularly important to handle the hair and scalp gently. To prevent damage, for example, brushes and combs with sharp, sharp-edged metal or hard plastic bristles should be dispensed with and instead resorted to a hairbrush with natural bristles. Wild boar bristles are particularly suitable here, since dust, grease and grease can be removed very thoroughly through these scales. In addition, the scalp is massaging while combing circulation, which in turn allows the hair root to be better supplied with nutrients.
When buying, you should make sure that the brush consists of different lengths bristles, so that the hair is better penetrated. Also important is a sufficient distance of the bristles, so that not only the top hair, but also the underlying hair can be easily reached and unraveled. To maintain the care properties of the brush as long as possible, regular cleaning is important. This is a mild shampoo, with which the bristles are carefully washed with lukewarm water. Special brush and comb cleaners can also be helpful in removing hair and dirt. Before the brush is used again, it should dry thoroughly in the air. On the other hand, drying on the heater is not recommended, as the strong heat quickly damages the structure of the bristles.
The hairbrushes shown here are all unsuitable if you want to reduce the formation of dandruff. The hairdresser or dermatologist can give tips on suitable hairbrushes. (Image: dtatiana / fotolia.com) For example, if it comes to open, sore spots on the scalp in the course of atopic dermatitis, a boar bristle brush should not be used without consultation with the attending physician to avoid further injury. In general, dandruff should always be treated carefully and slowly at the beginning in order to check whether the scalp tolerates the comparatively hard bristles.
Proper hair wash
When washing the hair, depending on the scale type, either a particularly mild (dry dandruff) or a special anti-dandruff shampoo (greasy dandruff) should be used. In addition, it is advisable to forego for the time being on styling products such as hair spray, foam and wax. The hair should generally not be "over-cared" in order not to strain the sensitive scalp even further and to avoid hair structure damage.
Before washing: First, remove the hair from the small flakes by a thorough rinse with clear water. However, this should not be too hot, but at most lukewarm, so as not to dry out the scalp even more and strain. After washing, rinse thoroughly with clear water to remove any residue from the shampoo that might otherwise be dandruffed. If you want to wash your hair completely, do not use conventional soap, because it can cause irritation to the scalp and promote the formation of dandruff.
For dandruff, be careful with blow-drying and brushing. (Image: Lars Zahner / fotolia.com) Proper blow drying
When blow-drying, it is important to be careful by the hair dryer is not too hot and kept too close to the head. Since the artificial heat strains the scalp, the hair should instead be air dried if possible. Of course, this is not necessarily possible in winter. Here it helps to prevent hair damage already, to wrap the hair for 15 minutes in a dry towel before blowing. Then they are not completely dry-blown, so as not to dry out the hair too much.
Nutrition tips for dandruff
To keep the scalp healthy and functional, a balanced, versatile diet rich in vitamins and minerals is important. For dandruff, especially the trace element zinc should be sufficiently on the menu. Because this is not only indispensable for a strong immune system, but also influences, among other things, the metabolism of the skin, hair and nails, ensures their growth and cell renewal. Minerals deficiency suffers our body, deficiency symptoms occur.
Possible zinc deficiency
If the body is not sufficiently supplied, the zinc deficiency is often already recognizable and noticeable from the outside, e.g. through brittle nails, brittle hair or a dry, flaky skin. Likewise, for example, hair loss, atopic dermatitis, reduced wound healing and inflammatory skin diseases occur. Since the body can not store zinc, the trace element must be taken with the food. The German Society for Nutrition recommends a dose of ten milligrams for men and seven milligrams for women every day, with this guideline for women in pregnancy (from the 4th month) and breastfeeding increasing to ten or 11 milligrams.
Zinc rich foods
By far the most zinc-rich food is the oyster with up to 160 milligrams of zinc per 100 grams. Shrimp, sea fish, wheat bran, calf's liver and oatmeal also contain comparatively high amounts of the trace element. Furthermore, for example, even 100 grams of pumpkin seeds with a content of 7.4 milligrams of zinc per 100 grams can cover the average adult man's need for three-quarters. For example, sunflower seeds, lentils, Brazil nuts, raspberries, broccoli, dairy products (especially cheese) and eggs are equally suitable, and the body can generally use zinc from animal sources better than from plant foods. (no, dp, updated on 03.10.2018)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)