Dandruff

Symptoms of dandruff

The flakes are often more noticeable in darker hair and if they fall from your scalp onto your shoulders.

Your scalp may also feel dry and itchy.

How to treat dandruff yourself

Use an anti-dandruff shampoo to treat dandruff. There are several different types you can buy from pharmacies or supermarkets.

Look for a shampoo that contains 1, or more, of these ingredients:

ketoconazole
coal tar
salicylic acid

A pharmacist can tell you how to use the shampoo.

Use the shampoo for up to 4 weeks to see if your dandruff gets better. You might need to try more than 1 type to find a shampoo that works for you.

Find a pharmacy

When and where to get medical help

Dandruff is not usually serious but if symptoms last a long time or become painful, you may need medical help.

See a GP if:

you still have dandruff symptoms after using anti-dandruff shampoo for at least 4 weeks
your dandruff is bad or your scalp is very itchy
your scalp is red or swollen
you have flaky, itchy patches on your face or other parts of your body

The GP can check your scalp for skin conditions that could be causing your dandruff.

Causes of dandruff

Dandruff is not caused by poor hygiene, although it may be more obvious if you do not wash your hair regularly.

It may be caused by different things, including a type of yeast that naturally lives on your skin, and skin conditions such as eczema.

Stress and cold weather may also make dandruff worse.

Do not worry if you're not sure what's causing your dandruff. Follow the advice on this page and see a GP if things do not get better in a month.

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