Itchy head: how to tell if it's dandruff

Dandruff or …

Dandruff is a scalp reaction that is often accompanied by itchiness and redness. It is dry dandruff if the peeling is spontaneous and falls on the shoulders, the itching is momentary and the scales are small and grayish-white in color. It is oily dandruff if they are thick, yellowish-white in color and form plaques attached to the scalp. In this case, itching is frequent. Either way, the culprit is a fungus called Malassezla.

…peeling?

It occurs due to very dry scalp. The scales are white, smaller and finer than in the case of dandruff, because the skin is slowly shedding dead cells. You will notice split ends and your head may itch more when you blow dry or expose it to the sun.

How to control dandruff

If you have dandruff, your best ally will be the anti-dandruff shampoo, but there is more … Note that it contains zinc pityrionate –it reduces the multiplication of cells to stop desquamation–; pyroctone, olamine or climbazole - an antiseptic action that slows the growth of Malassezia -; high-concentration urea or salicylic acid –which work to disintegrate the plaques of scales on the scalp– and bisabolol or soothing substances, such as oats and calendula.

Hair scrub

If dandruff is abundant and attached to the head, shampoo is not enough. Sporadically apply a specific exfoliating shampoo for the scalp. To avoid irritating this, use it only once or twice a month.

Collistar Talasso Scrub Detox Effect Shampoo, € 29.90

Anti-dandruff shampoo

You have to let it stand for 1-2 min for the active ingredients to act. It is applied 2-3 times a week for 3 weeks. Afterward, use the anti-dandruff shampoo every 7 to 15 days so the dandruff doesn't reappear.

Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, € 12.50

Antiseptic lotion

Improves the effectiveness of anti-dandruff treatment. It is applied every day for 3 weeks, with a gentle massage. If you notice that your hair "weighs down", apply it the night before washing.

Ducray Squanorm Anti-Dandruff Lotion with Zinc, € 10.87

Don't go to sleep with wet hair

Dr. Juan Ferrando, dermatologist at the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, warns that it is very important never to go to bed with wet hair, because the Malassezia fungus reproduces better when there is moisture and occlusion, “which are the conditions that occur in a freshly washed hair when the head is resting on the pillow, especially on the nape of the neck ”. So be careful about going to sleep with a "fresh" head.

Extra precautions

Pamper your scalp and dispense with the dryer whenever you can or use it with cold air. Also, do not abuse the hats and if you go on a motorcycle, clean the inside of the helmet frequently. Change the pillowcase often, as flakes and grease accumulate there, so even if you wash your hair, they will return to it.

Dry scalp: restore softness

As there is no imbalance in your scalp caused by the Malassezia fungus, the anti-dandruff shampoo will not be effective and will aggravate the dryness. Instead, you need to deeply hydrate and nourish the scalp with repair products. Dryness is solved faster and easier than dandruff with proper care.

Why does it sting more in summer?

There are many factors that favor the imbalance in the formation of the natural fat that protects the scalp, such as the sun, the chlorine in the pool or the salt of the sea water. To avoid scalp irritation, wear hair sunscreen and use a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.

Intense nutrition

Use a nourishing mask or cream with vegetable oils, butters and waxes to soften the hair fiber. Apply it on mediums and ends; and in case the scalp is extremely dry, also on it. Let it rest for 3 min if you have fine hair and 5 min if it is thick, detangle and rinse. You will notice the hair more shiny and smooth.

Singuladerm Xpert Hair Intensive Mask Dry Hair, € 14.41

Wash the hair "little"

Do it 2 times a week. You can alternate the washing cream (or cleansing balm) with a nourishing shampoo (better, sulfate-free). Forget about rubbing hard when washing your hair or using a towel; Dispense with fixing products with alcohol, keep your head away from intense heat and look for the complement that best suits you to protect your scalp from the sun.

Living Proof Restore Hydrating Shampoo for Dry Hair, € 28

An extra hydration

Washing cream is a balm that is used on dry hair. It is applied from medium to ends, leaving it to act for 5 minutes. Then water is added to emulsify and rinse thoroughly. Hair is silky and loose.

Phytokératine Extrême de Phyto, € 30

Is it still flaking?

Apply a small dose of leave-in mask to the roots every other day. You can use it on wet hair when you return from the beach or leave it on throughout the day. The hair fiber is reinforced, the scalp is deeply nourished and the hair is protected on the surface.

One of the most common concerns in summer is dandruff and itchy head. But although 50% of the Spanish population really suffers from this problem, according to the Spanish Association of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV), it cannot be ruled out that the origin of this itching and flaking is a deep dehydration of the scalp, which is exacerbated summer conditions.

Before rushing in and damaging your hair with products that can dry it out even more, or even lead to the appearance of hives by increasing itchiness, identify what is your case to find the best solution. In the gallery we give you the keys to end dandruff or to hydrate the scalp.

In the gallery you have anti-dandruff solutions or to hydrate the scalp if you have it dry

Dandruff is a scalp reaction that is often accompanied by itchiness and redness. For this reason, we often confuse it with the symptoms of dry scalp. But … how do you know if it's dandruff or flaking?

It's dry dandruff if …

The scales are small and greyish-white in color.
The flaking falls on the shoulders spontaneously or when combing your hair.
The scalp is dry, tight and has a whitish color.
The moments when itching appears are brief. The irritation usually disappears after washing and reappears after a few days.
The appearance of the hair is rough and matte, without shine.

You have oily dandruff if …

The scales are thick and yellowish-white. They are located especially in the frontal area, around the ears and on the nape.
The flakes form plaques, which are attached to the scalp.
The scalp is oily and shiny.
The hair is also greasy and matted, unctuous.
Itching is quite common and can sometimes be intense, leaving the scalp red.

Your scalp is very dry when …

The scales are white, smaller and finer than in the case of dandruff, because the skin is slowly shedding dead cells (in the case of dandruff, the overproduction of new cells forces the old cells to be expelled in a “format” of scales big).
The scalp is dry and with a very tight feeling.
The hair is brittle, untamed and with split ends.
You tend to feel itchy, which is accentuated by heat (either from exposure to the sun or when you use the dryer).

Why happens?

Dry scalp

Lack of hydration. Our scalp has a layer of natural fat that protects it from external aggressions. When the sebaceous glands are small and not very active, the loss of hydration occurs, which leads to dryness, itching, tightness and peeling.
Factors that aggravate it. Although the origin may be genetic, hormonal changes, washing the hair too often with harsh shampoos or exposing it to hot, dry air can exacerbate the problem.

Dandruff

Whether it's oily or dry, the culprit is a fungus. We all have a microorganism called Malassezia on the scalp. This fungus feeds on the sebum of the scalp and produces oleic acid, and 50% of the population is sensitive to this acid, which irritates the skin.
How it is triggered. The irritation causes the accelerated multiplication of skin cells. This causes dead cells to accumulate on the surface of the scalp and flakes of dandruff appear.