Being the most common scalp issue in adults, it holds a lot of misconceptions and questions around it. The two most prominent of them are is dandruff contagious, and can it cause hair loss?
To answer these questions, one should have enough information about this condition and its effects on our scalp and other parts (in severe conditions).
To overcome this issue and get answers to this statement, read this article thoroughly without missing any part to clear myths about it.
Dandruff
It is a harmless condition that causes annoying flakes to form on the scalp and cause itching. Its severe form can also attack other body parts but let’s just stick to mild dandruff.
The condition can be mistaken for a dry scalp, so let’s differentiate between them. It causes the formation of yellow or white flakes on the scalp, which are often greasy.
A dry scalp may be a symptom of dandruff of a separate condition. It leads to dryness in the scalp, the formation of flakes (smaller than those of dandruff), and mild itching.
Dandruff affects more than half of our population (male and female). It cannot be fully cured, but with the right approach, its symptoms can be removed.
Causes and symptoms
There is no exact cause of dandruff. Doctors consider Malassezia to be the main cause. This fungus overactivates the sebaceous glands.
Those glands produce more oil and the excessive oil results in a build-up of greasy flakes.
Symptoms of dandruff include:
- Flaky scalp
- Greasy or dry flakes
- Itching
- Redness and inflammation
- Scaly patches
These are the symptoms of mild dandruff. Severe conditions may show extreme or different symptoms.
Does dandruff go away on its own?
It depends. Generally, it should. However, there could be some scenarios that may show persistent symptoms.
If you are not following preventive measures (described later in this article), the dandruff may take longer to heal or even cause flare-ups.
It could be possible that the condition is gone, but there is an underlying disease that shows similar symptoms. So get a proper diagnosis.
Is dandruff contagious?
This condition is not contagious. This means you cannot get dandruff by meeting an affected person or using the items of that person.
However, it can spread to the face. A severe condition (seborrheic dermatitis) can even cause flaking and other symptoms to spread all over the body.
There is a specific type called “Cheyletiellosis” and simply “Walking Dandruff” which is a highly contagious disease.
This affects dogs and cats, and a person may carry that infection which forms dandruff. It can also affect rabbits and other animals.
Does dandruff cause hair loss?
Dandruff and hair loss can occur at the same time and usually, they are linked to each other. That is why people consider hair loss as a symptom of this condition. However, in reality, this statement is 50% true. Dandruff itself does not cause hair loss.
It often causes itching and flaking. These symptoms increase the urge to scratch. As a result of scratching, you may lose some of your hair.
So, if you are asking does dandruff lead to hair loss then note that it can indirectly contribute to hair loss.
Now, you might be wondering can it affect hair growth? The answer is, it depends. Hair loss because of dandruff is usually temporary.
But if the loss persists and the condition does not improve even after the treatment, seek medical help.
Consult a trichologist and describe your issue thoroughly. It could be due to another scalp disease, so it is better to diagnose and treat that one.
How to treat hair damage due to dandruff?
Treating dandruff will treat hair loss automatically if it is due to dandruff. Usually, a medicated dandruff shampoo is enough for the removal of flakes.
This shampoo is made for individuals with sensitive skin. Anyone can use this product without worrying about the skin sensitivity. Use it as labeled on the bottle or as directed by the doctor. During the treatment, must avoid hair care products.
Some preventive measures
Now this is an important part. The treatment may or may not provide as much benefit and protection as prevention will.
You just need to know what factors can trigger flare-ups and what factors can increase or persist hair loss. Read the guidelines below properly:
- Do not scratch your scalp. This only worsens the condition. Use a gentle brush instead to remove flakes.
- Do not take long and frequent baths. Frequent washing of hair will drive our natural oils from hair, making them weak.
- Do not expose your hair to heat. Heat damages the hair. Avoid using a hair dryer. Let them dry naturally.
- Reduce stress. It contributes to hair loss. Perform yoga, meditation, and deep breathing to relieve stress.
- Whenever you wash your hair or take a bath and use a cloth to rub hair, do not rub it vigorously. Also, do not use your hands and fingers to manage hair. Always use a comb.
- Do not use hair styling products. Do not use chemicals. Also, do not style your hair tight. This will weaken or break hair.
Conclusions
Dandruff is not contagious, and it cannot cause direct hair loss. Scratching will lead to this issue. If you prevent its triggers and take treatment, there is no need to worry about it. Our body normally sheds around 50 to 100 hairs per day naturally.
Dandruff may indirectly increase the number, but you still don’t have to worry about it as long as you see bald spots or excessive hair loss.
The hair loss due to this condition is normal and temporary. If it persists after the removal of flakes, seek professional help to diagnose an underlying disease that may be causing this issue.
I hope this guide helped you a lot with frequently asked questions about dandruff and its symptoms. Make sure to check the rest of our blog for more interesting and informative articles.
