How to Get Rid of Dandruff! Stop the Unsightly Flaking!

In my previous article, we discussed the causes of dandruff and discovered the likely cause to be overgrowth of a pesky fungus known as Malassezia. Now you may want to know how to get rid of dandruff.

Fortunately, because dandruff is so common, much research and experimentation has gone into ways to prevent and treat dandruff.

First you need to be sure you actually have dandruff and not another scalp condition. Dandruff usually presents as recurrent flaking and scaling of the scalp with the appearance of snowy, white flakes on clothing. There are few other symptoms with the exception of some mild itching of the scalp. If in doubt regarding the diagnosis, see your family doctor for an evaluation.

In mild cases of dandruff, treatment can consist of an anti-dandruff shampoo such as Head and Shoulders. Anti-dandruff shampoos usually contain one of several active ingredients which may include selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, coal tar, or pyrithione zinc. These can be quite effective if used regularly and may be all you need other than good scalp care. Anti-dandruff shampoos must be used continuously in order to keep the dandruff from returning. Be sure to choose a mild anti-dandruff shampoo so you don't irritate the scalp and exacerbate the problem.

In more severe cases of dandruff and in unresponsive cases, you may need a prescription strength dandruff treatment shampoo only available from your doctor. The most commonly prescibed one is Nizoral. Remember that annoying little fungus called Malassezia? Nizoral can help to destroy that fungus by inhibiting its growth, thus eliminating most of the flaking and excessive skin shedding. In a case that doesn't respond to any of the above treatments, other scalp conditions should be considered, such as ringworm. See your doctor about this.