Dandruff is an annoying problem that many people deal with. Dandruff is visible flakes of skin that are shed from the scalp on a continual basis. There are a few different causes of dandruff including dry skin on the scalp, fungus, and yeast on the scalp all of which increase the amount of visible skin flakes.

There are also many treatments for dandruff, most of which are at least somewhat effective to treat dandruff. Mild dandruff will usually respond to over the counter dandruff shampoos and for dandruff caused by a dry scalp shampoos that are designed for use with a dry scalp work best. Shampoos should be used about twice a week according to the label.

For moderate dandruff over the counter shampoos can be effective but they have to be used more often and the lather has to be left on the scalp longer. The shampoo should be used every other day and the lather should be left on the scalp for about ten minutes for the best effect.

Severe dandruff sufferers may need to use specialty shampoos that contain ingredients to treat yeast and fungal caused dandruff. Ingredients such as selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, and climbazole can be effective for severe dandruff.

Other hair care techniques can help to manage dandruff. Blow drying hair can dry out the scalp and worsen dandruff so let hair dry naturally. Be sure to brush hair from the scalp outwards with a soft natural bristle brush to distribute the natural oil on your scalp. This helps prevent oil from building up on the scalp and worsening dandruff.

Keeping your scalp healthy is important if you want to get rid of dandruff. Never use ordinary soap on your scalp as it can cause irritation. You should also wash your scalp gently and avoid too much scrubbing which can also irritate the scalp. Once you have cleared up your dandruff it is important not to overuse dandruff shampoos because they can be too harsh on your scalp. Only use them once a week to maintain a healthy scalp.

If your dandruff is very severe and does not respond to over the counter dandruff shampoos you may have a more serious problem. If your dandruff is not spread all over your scalp or is very thick and not flaky in some areas you may have a more serious problem. Psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis are skin conditions that can resemble severe dandruff and require help from a dermatologist to treat.