DANDRUFF

Dandruff is the shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp at an excessive rate. It can be due to insufficient hair care. It is another kind of dermatitis (dry eczema) found in the scalp. Thin mica like scaling (exfoliation) on scratching with acute burning and itching sensation without discharge are found.

Dandruff scales appears dry, white or grayish.

DARUNAKA: Susrutha says: when ground of hair becomes hard, itchy and rough with crakes it is known as ‘darunaka. The description is the same as dandruff. It is caused by the aggravation of doshas(bio-energies) pitha and kapha.

Usually dandruff is seasonal. During the winter it will be severe and less in summer. Scaling can occur anywhere- on the scalp, in the hair, on the eye brows, the bread and can be even spread to the neck and shoulders.

Mild dandruff can be caused by the over action of sebaceous gland (oil glands).

SEBACEOUS GLANDS:

Sebaceous glands produce sebum, which is composed of fatty acids. The oily substances give moisture and shine to the hair and also protect the hair from drying. While sebum is produced in excess, the hair will be oilier, greasy, darker and may be sticky.

But in severe cases it can be due to pityrosforum-ovle micro organisms or fungus malasezia. These organisms are present in everybody’s scalp. Symptoms generally aggravated when we expose to dust, chemical based shampoo and winter.

There is a misconception that dandruff is caused by the dryness of the hair. So dandruff is also called dry scalp. Using shampoo to dry the hair will increase the problem. Dandruff will be more to the people those having oily skin and hair.

Dandruff is a natural process. Scaling is a part of our metabolic activities which we won’t notice with our naked eyes. On an average the scap skin replaces itself about every 28days. If ternover speeds up to every 11 days, the net result is obvious dandruff. So it can’t be eliminated, only be managed or controlled. When it is associated with sebarhoeic dermatitis, if not treated can lead to ailments like eczema. Excess scaling can be a symptoms associated with psoriasis. Dandruff if not treated result in skin lesions, hair damage and even baldness.

TYPES OF DANDRUFF:

Depending on the severity, symptoms and area of spreading, dandruff can be classified in to three, common dandruff or pityriasis –capitis, seborrhea dermatitis and psoriatic dandruff.

1. pityriasis-capitis: Also known as common dandruff. The very common dandruff with dry flakes falling from the scalp. Pityrosporum yeasts which are normal in habited in the skin are making this problem. Only seen in scalp. In ayurveda, dandruff with the same symptoms is described as ‘darunaka’ by susrutha.

2. Sebarhoeic Dermatitis: If the scalp is very greasy, oily, scaly, wheeling, yellow or mild red in color. It is known as seborrhea dermatitis. It can be seen in scalp, face, forehead, eyebrows, eyelashes, eye lids are rarely even in the neck.

Susrutha says: small ulcer with many openings manifested on the skin of the scalp with kapha-raktha irigin is known as –‘arumshika’.

3. Psoriasis: itchy thicker scales, silvery scales, which can also occur in the knee, lower back. It is an auto immune disease. Kapha origin and need special care with panchakarma therapies like vamana and treatments like thakra dhara.

TREATMENT:

Hair care is the main remedy for dandruff. Regular use of anti fungal and anti microbial medicated oils and shampoo will reduce dandruff. Always use clean combs and towels individually. Don’t share the combs and bathing towels, it can spread the dandruff to other peoples.

In psoriatic dandruff cases, since it is an auto immune disease, we need internal cleansing medicines, treatments like thakra dhara and panchakarma like ‘vamama’. External medicated oil like’dismagna thailam’ has to be used.

1. Gel taken from the aloevera leaves may be applied over night and washed next day morning.

2. Daily head bath, wash the scalp thoroughly after wash and dry the hair.

3. Keep your hair well oiled

4. Use special medicated hairoil for scalp massage like dhurdhhorapatradi coconut oil or Pamanthaka thailam

5. Use antidandruff shampoo or shampoo with shikakai (fruit of soap pod tree) or hibiscus leaves.

6. Dandruff will increase with stress and anxiety, so practice pranayama and yoga.

7. Boil neem leaves in water and use this water to rinse hair.

8. Siro lepas (hair packs):  make a paste of leaves of neem (azadirachta indica) and apply over the scalp for 2 hours for 7 days.

Make a paste of tusli leaves and amla powder mixed with water and apply over the scalp for two hours daily for 7 days.

9.. Internal medicines: punarnavasam 25ml twice daily after food.

     Triphala churnam- 5gm at bed time with warm water.

FEW MORE HOME REMEDIES:

1. Rub lemon juice mixed with cosmetic vinegar (1:2 ratios) in to the scalp. Then gently massage the scalp. After 30mts wash the hair with egg shampoo.

2. Boil 5 teaspoons of dried and used tealeaves in lime water. After anti dandruff shampoo, use this lotion to the scalp for rinsing. It will also help for the shining of the hair.

3. In the severe case wash the hair daily with neem decoction for 14 days.

DHURDHOORA PATRADI COCONUT OIL:

How to prepare: The oil is prepared in coconut oil and coconut milk with juices of dhurdhoora patra(dhatura stramonium), dhorva(desmodium gangeticum), guluchi(tinospera cordifolia) and kimsuka(butea monosperora).

How to use: apply the dhurdhoora patradi coconut oil over the scalp and hair and gently massage for 15 mts-30mts. Then shower with herbal shampoo

PAMANTHAKA THAILAM: in severe dandruff pamanthakal thailam will be more useful.

How to prepare;This oil is prepared in coconut oil with brahmi(bacopa monniera) and curry leaves(murraya koenigii).

Usage: apply over the scalp for 20-30mts and gently massage. Then shower using  herbal shampoo

DIET:

Avoid spicy and oily food.

It is better to be vegetarian. While taking non-veg. food the symptoms are aggravated.

Add more vegetables and fruits. Fibrous food will regularize the bowels.

Avoid strong tea, coffee , curd , ice creams and cooled and aerated drinks.

Use butter milk. Drink at least two liters of water/a day.

ABOUT THE SHAMPOO:

Generally shampoo is used for the removal of oil, dirt, dandruff and other contaminated particles from the hair. Now there are anti dandruff shampoos available in the markets. The advertisements and unwanted claims always confuse the customers.

Contents of the shampoo:

Normal shampoos contain chemicals like surfactants. (Sodium lureth sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate. It also contains sodium chloride (salt) which is used to adjust viscosity. Shampoo also has fragrance and preservative. Recently they are adding vitamin-E and Proteins (amino-acids) which they claim to strengthen the hair and reduce the hair lose.Scientifically there are no evidence for this claim. Proteins are unable to penetrate to the skin or hair. Vitamin E will give only temporary cosmetic effect.

Sodium laurite commonly known as SLS is very dangerous and can lead to skin damage, dryness, permanent eye damage in children.

Antidandruff shampoo: anti dandruff generally contain anti fungicides like ketoconazole and zinc pyrithine. But these are comparatively safe with chemical shampoo.

Herbal shampoo if not contain the chemicals are more safe and effective. Herbal shampoo which contains soap nuts with dried gooseberry and hibiscus leaves are very effective and safe.