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dandruff Skin issues

Can Dandruff Cause Hair Loss

Last Updated on 23/09/2023 by Liz @ HealthTenfold

A staggering half of the world’s population suffers from dandruff which is a condition that causes your scalp to be flaky. Many people with severe forms of this condition experience hair loss and this begs the question – ‘Can dandruff cause hair loss?’ We’ll explore the connection between hair loss and dandruff to try and ascertain whether this claim holds water and if so, what you can do to remedy the situation.

Can Dandruff Cause Hair Loss? 

Dandruff doesn’t directly cause hair loss. However, it may lead to hair loss in some indirect manner. Here are some of the ways it causes this:

Itching
Severe dandruff causes a lot of itching which can lead to hair loss. This happens when the hair follicles are injured and your hair falls off, although not to the point of baldness. The hair follicles may become inflamed in the process and cause damage and scarring which stops or slows down the growth of hair. You’ll end up losing hair and replacement will be slow and painstaking. 

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For people with androgenic alopecia (male or female-pattern baldness), this itching can aggravate the loss of hair even further.

Fungal Infections
Dandruff occurs when a type of fungus known as Malassezia multiplies too much on your scalp. Increased production of Malassezia can also cause inflammation on the scalp which damages hair follicles. This can then lead to hair loss.

Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition that commonly causes dandruff. It affects the scalp, causing it to be red, scaly, greasy, and have a grayish, itchy rash. When it’s left untreated, it can eventually damage your hair follicles and cause hair loss. The intense scratching that accompanies the condition also increases the damage to the hair follicles.

Psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis is yet another condition that can lead to dandruff because it causes itchy and scaly patches to appear on the scalp. People with scalp psoriasis often notice bald spots where the scaly patches are. This is because the patches are subjected to a lot of scratching and picking.

Hair Pulling in Children
Dandruff in children is known as cradle cap and it’s often accompanied by hair loss. This is because babies and children may respond to the burning or itching sensation by pulling at their hair so some strands may come off.  

Does Hair from Dandruff Grow Back?

When you successfully treat dandruff and you no longer aggressively scratch your scalp, your hair will eventually grow back. Combined with taking a balanced diet, using the right hair products, home remedies, and a good hair routine, you’ll notice your hair growing back thicker and faster. 

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How to Prevent Hair Loss from Dandruff?

It’s important to know what is causing your dandruff in order to take the right steps towards preventing hair loss. You can do this by visiting a doctor to examine you and ascertain whether it’s an issue with the way you wash your scalp or whether it’s an underlying condition. 

To prevent hair loss from dandruff, you can take the following preventive measures:

Moderate Shampooing
It’s common for people to shampoo their hair too often to try and get rid of dandruff but this actually ends up being counterintuitive. This is because overdoing the shampoo routine strips oil from the scalp so the sebaceous glands work overtime and produce too much oil. The build-up of excess oil then becomes flakes. Conversely, not shampooing enough leads to the build-up of skin cells and oil that also causes dandruff.   

Hence, you should find a balance in your shampooing routine by doing it once or twice a week.

Hydrate Your Scalp
When your scalp dries up, it’s more likely that flakes and dandruff will develop. Thus, you should keep it hydrated by using moisturizers and hydrating oils like coconut.    

Manage Your Stress
When you’re stressed out, it weakens your immune system and leaves you undefended from attacks of all sorts of ailments, including dandruff. Manage your stress by practicing relaxing techniques, deep breathing, and
meditation. 

Avoid Harsh Hair Products
Harsh hair products like dye and those with ingredients like formaldehyde may irritate the scalp and dry it out. Switch these products for gentler ones to prevent dandruff and flaking. 

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To answer your question ‘Can dandruff cause hair loss?’ Yes, it does but not really directly. That tells you that as much as dandruff is not a serious medical concern, you shouldn’t ignore it if you want to keep the hair on your head intact. 

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Most recommended:

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Read more: https://www.healthtenfold.com/essential-oils-for-dandruff/
https://www.healthtenfold.com/essential-oils-for-dandruff/
https://www.healthtenfold.com/what-causes-dandruff/
https://www.healthtenfold.com/https-www-healthtenfold-com-how-to-get-rid-of-dandruff/
https://www.healthtenfold.com/is-dandruff-contagious/
https://www.healthtenfold.com/types-of-dandruff/

READ MORE:
How to get rid of Dandruff: Causes, Symptoms, Best Remedies