What Is Dry Scalp? Causes and How to Manage It
Dry scalp causes mild itching and small, dry flakes. It's more common in winter, when cold air and indoor heating pull moisture from the skin. If you have dry scalp, you likely have dry skin elsewhere on your body too. Hair care habits can contribute as well. Heat styling, coloring, and chemical straightening all strip moisture from the scalp.
What Helps
Cleansing with a gentle shampoo for sensitive skin followed by a mild hair conditioner may be all that is needed. Avoid common chemical irritants found in certain hair care products, which may cause the scalp to become dry and itchy. If gentle cleansing and conditioning don't resolve the flaking, the underlying issue may actually be dandruff.
What Is a Sensitive Scalp? Symptoms and Common Triggers
A sensitive scalp reacts to certain hair care products or processes, showing up as redness, itching, or scaling.
What Helps
If you know what products or ingredients trigger your irritation, avoid them. Look for gentle hair care products free of common chemical irritants. Also, look for products labeled as ‘hypoallergenic’ or ‘fragrance-free’ as they tend to be less irritating to sensitive skin and scalp. For a closer look at what to check for, see 5 Hair Care Ingredients That May Be Causing Itchy Scalp.
When to See a Doctor
If you cannot identify the cause of your irritation, consult with an allergist or dermatologist about your concerns. These physicians can help identify specific ingredients of concern and develop a plan to help avoid them.
What Is Dandruff? Symptoms, Causes, and How to Manage It
Dandruff is a common condition that causes flaking of the skin on the scalp producing small, loose, gray or white flakes. These flakes are typically larger than what is seen with dry scalp. Scalp associated with dandruff is typically itchy, oily and scaly but not inflamed.
Dandruff develops when skin cells on the scalp shed faster than normal. A yeast-like organism called malassezia, which lives on most adults' skin and scalp, plays a role. For some people, it triggers extra skin cell turnover. Because this organism feeds on skin oils, people with oilier scalps tend to see more dandruff.
What Helps
Daily cleansing with a gentle shampoo can reduce oiliness and loosen flakes, though it won't address the underlying cause on its own. To manage dandruff, look for an over-the-counter (OTC) medicated dandruff shampoo.
Anti-dandruff shampoos that contain pyrithione zinc treat dandruff and are typically gentle enough for daily use. If you have dandruff and sensitive skin or scalp, look for an anti-dandruff shampoo free of common chemical irritants . There may be some trial and error in determining how frequently you need to use shampoos for dandruff. For the days you don’t use an anti-dandruff shampoo, alternate with a mild, fragrance-free shampoo and hair conditioner to help avoid further irritation. Because not all medicated products are the same, always follow product directions.
When to See a Doctor
If symptoms become unmanageable or you notice signs of infection, see a doctor or dermatologist. They can prescribe prescription-strength products to help get things under control.
What Is Seborrheic Dermatitis? Symptoms and How It's Different From Dandruff
Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory condition that affects oily areas of the body, including:
- Scalp
- Face, eyebrows, and ears
- Eyelids
- Chest and upper back
- Armpits and groin
It typically causes greasy, white-to-yellow scaly or crusty patches, along with oily flakes and, often, redness and noticeable itching. Flare-ups tend to come and go over time.
Compared to dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis involves:
- More flaking overall
- Larger, oilier flakes
- More visible redness and inflammation
- Symptoms that can appear beyond the scalp
The main difference comes down to severity and location: dandruff is milder and confined to the scalp, while seborrheic dermatitis is more severe and can spread elsewhere. Because the underlying cause is the same malassezia-related process described above, many dandruff routines also help with seborrheic dermatitis.
Certain underlying medical conditions can raise your risk of developing seborrheic dermatitis.
What Helps
Anti-dandruff shampoos and medicated cleansers and creams are the main treatments for seborrheic dermatitis. Many physicians recommend starting with OTC products designed to treat dandruff and/or seborrheic dermatitis.
Anti-dandruff shampoos that contain pyrithione zinc treat dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis and are typically gentle enough for daily use. You may have to experiment to find the best anti-dandruff shampoo for you. If you have seborrheic dermatitis and sensitive skin or scalp, look for an anti-dandruff shampoo free of common chemical irritants. There may be some trial and error in determining how frequently you need to use an anti-dandruff shampoo to keep your seborrheic dermatitis under control. For days you don’t use an anti-dandruff shampoo, alternate with a mild, fragrance-free shampoo and hair conditioner to help avoid further irritation.
Cleansers that contain pyrithione zinc help control and reduce symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis on the skin. To minimize irritation, use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser .
A skin cream that contains a mild corticosteroid such as Hydrocortisone 1% may help relieve itching associated with seborrheic dermatitis. Again, avoid creams that contain fragrance and other common chemical irritants which can further irritate already sensitive skin. Keep skin moisturized with a mild and gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to help avoid dry itchy skin. Look for products labeled ‘hypoallergenic’ as they tend to be less irritating to sensitive skin. Because not all medicated products are the same, always follow product directions.
When to See a Doctor
If symptoms become unmanageable or you notice signs of infection, contact a dermatologist. They can prescribe prescription-strength products to help bring symptoms under control.
References
https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/is-it-dandruff-or-seborrheic-dermatitis
http://www.pgscience.com/files/pdf/Dr._Thomas_Dawson/TRI_book_chapter_Ch12_Dandruff.pdf
https://www.healthline.com/health/skin-disorders/dandruff-vs-dry-scalp#causes
https://www.medicinenet.com/contact_dermatitis/index.htm
Textbook of Cosmetic Dermatology, Third Edition. Robert Baran, Howard I Maibach, 2005