How To Get Flakes Out Of Hair

Dandruff

Dandruff is a common pare condition. It's not harmful and y'all cannot catch information technology.

Check if information technology's dandruff

Picture of dandruff flakes in scalp. — Dandruff causes white or grey flakes of skin to announced on the scalp and in the pilus

The flakes are often more than noticeable in darker pilus and if they fall from your scalp on to your shoulders.

Your scalp may also feel dry and itchy.

How to treat dandruff yourself

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

Look for shampoo containing ane of these ingredients:

zinc pyrithione
salicylic acid
selenium sulphide (or selenium sulfide)
ketoconazole
coal tar

Your pharmacist can tell you how to apply the shampoo.

Utilize the shampoo for a month to see if your dandruff improves. You might need to try more than one type to find i that works for you.

Find a pharmacy

Non-urgent communication: Run across a GP if:

y'all nonetheless have symptoms after using anti-dandruff shampoo for a calendar month
your dandruff is bad or your scalp is very itchy
your scalp is ruby or swollen

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

Data:

Coronavirus (COVID-nineteen) update: how to contact a GP

It's yet important to get help from a GP if y'all need it. To contact your GP surgery:

visit their website
use the NHS App
call them

Find out well-nigh using the NHS during COVID-19

Causes of dandruff

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

Stress and common cold conditions may as well make dandruff worse.

A listing of conditions that cause dandruff and the principal symptoms
Symptoms	Possible causes
scaly, itchy and ruby-red patches on skin on scalp, face and other areas of the body	seborrheic dermatitis
red or argent rash on scalp, sometimes with patchy hair loss	tinea capitis, known as ringworm
dry, reddish, flaky and very itchy skin on areas of the torso	eczema
ruby-red, inflamed (irritated) skin; may also have blisters and croaky skin – reaction to products such as pilus dye, sprays, gels or mousses	contact dermatitis
ruby-red, flaky, crusty and sore patches of peel covered with silver scales	psoriasis
greasy, yellowish crusts on baby'due south scalp, eyebrows and nappy area	cradle cap

Data:

Do not worry if you're not certain what is causing your dandruff. Follow the advice on this folio and see a GP if things practise not improve in a month.

Page last reviewed: 02 October 2022
Next review due: 02 October 2022