Should i scratch up dandruff

Underneath those flakes, skin with seborrheic dermatitis can be sore and red, and scraping away the skin can expose the scalp to infection.

Large dandruff flakes can also be pityriasis amiantacea, an even more severe form of seborrheic dermatitis which can be caused by a fungal infection. Getting in there with a tool or your nails could introduce further bacteria, making the scalp a hotbed for all kinds of nasty stuff. If you have severe dandruff, the best thing you can do is seek treatment from a dermatologist and avoid scraping and scratching.

Regular washing with an anti-dandruff shampoo is useful in the treatment of dandruff. Why dandruff occurs The top layer of the skin is constantly being shed and renewed. This usually goes unnoticed when the cells are shed one at a time. Inflammation of the scalp may cause cells to stick together. When large clumps of cells are shed, visible flakes may be seen on the shoulders especially when wearing dark clothing or on the scalp as the hair traps the scaling skin.

Itching scalp Itching scalp, with or without scaling, is very common. It may occur in middle-aged people, for no obvious reason. The usual response is to scratch, and this will often cause scratch marks and little crusty sores throughout the scalp. Dandruff can cause itching scalp. There are also a number of less common skin conditions that can present as itching in the scalp.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis Seborrhoeic dermatitis is the name given to a red, itchy, scaly reaction in the scalp. It can be considered a more severe form of dandruff, except the scale is more marked and the scalp is often inflamed. It can be very itchy and can affect other parts of the body, including the face, eyebrows, beard and central chest area. Symptoms of seborrhoeic dermatitis Symptoms of seborrhoeic dermatitis develop gradually and may include: dry or greasy diffuse scaling of the scalp. This is the most usual presentation.

Causes of seborrhoeic dermatitis Seborrhoeic dermatitis affects areas with high densities of large oil glands. Cradle cap Cradle cap is a form of seborrhoeic dermatitis that occurs in newborns. It may not be the same disease as in adults. What's new New posts Latest activity. Log in Register. What's new. New posts. Log in. Install the app. Contact us. Close Menu. We will be performing necessary maintenance on the forum and related hardware from Satuday 25th of September onward. Users might experience some downtime, which we will ensure that it is limited - if at all noticeable.

JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Is scratching up dandruff detrimental to your hair health?

Thread starter delitefulmane Start date Dec 28, Ok ladies, I hope this isn't a stupid question but I had to ask it before I let my sister do it again. I can remember anytime having dandruff in my head permed or natural my sister would always say "OOh your hair is dry! It felt good but I know that what seems to be good is not always the case.

With that said, is scratching up dandruff harmful? My roomate mentioned.. How true is this? Flashback to my mom using a rattail comb on my head to dislodge the flakes. If you assume your dandruff is due to a dry scalp, it might be tempting to cut back on washing it so often. But whether the cause is dryness or oiliness, you should actually be washing your hair pretty regularly to rinse away the flakes and any buildup of debris on your scalp. In fact, the most effective way to treat most dandruff is to use an over-the-counter shampoo, the American Academy of Dermatology AAD explains.

You should shampoo your hair daily and swap in the anti-dandruff shampoo twice a week. If you have natural hair , you only need to use the anti-dandruff shampoo once a week. Exfoliating your scalp every once in a while seems a little extreme, and for most of us it is. Also, it just feels nice! But beware of DIY scalp scrub recipes, Dr.

Kim says, which can contain irritating ingredients or things that are just too harsh. And it makes sense that constantly itching your scalp could disrupt your already fragile hair and lead to hair loss. Some people get it more in the winter, when the air is less humid, causing a sweaty yet dry scalp. And most people cut down on shampooing due to the cold temperatures, which can also make the buildup of products and flakes on their scalp worse.

Other people find that hot, humid weather in the summer makes their dandruff worse, possible because their scalps are oilier with sweat. And yes, some people deal with dandruff year-round. As we mentioned, there are many conditions that can cause dandruff-like flaking.

If you notice flakes on your scalp or in your hair, it could be due to one of the following:. Seborrheic dermatitis is another condition that can cause dandruff and flaking of the scalp. It often appears as red, swollen, greasy rash that may have white or yellow flakes or crust.