Having an itchy, irritated scalp is never fun and many people assume that dandruff is the reason for their annoyance. Dry scalp can also be the cause of the problem and while the two terms may be used interchangeably there is actually a difference between the two.
How Dandruff Occurs
Dandruff is the process of dead skin cells coming off of the scalp. Many people around the world are affective by dandruff and it can come from several different origins. While it is common among many people to experience dandruff, some people get more intense symptoms and can really be bothered by it. Dandruff can cause a significant amount of embarrassment to the person that has an excessive amount of flaking from their scalp and steps can be taken to reduce it. A particular season like winter can increase the amount of dandruff related issues since the cold weather and air play a role.
What Happens with Dry Scalp?
Dry scalp is similar to having dry skin on the rest of the body and the fact that there may be a lot of hair in the way, may confuse people. Just because your scalp may be itchy does not automatically mean it is a result of dandruff. Dry scalp may be the real reason for the itching and it can be addressed. Dandruff can actually come about because of dry scalp, so the connection between the two is important. Dry scalp can also be a product of weather conditions and climate changes and colder air can make dryness come easier.
The source of dry scalp can be things like eczema that make the skin dry wherever it is present and high or low temperatures. Putting things on your hair that cause dryness on their own like certain gels and shampoos will increase the chances of dry scalp. Dandruff can come about from things like shampooing too often and conditions like Seborrheic dermatitis and can be more irritating than just dry scalp. A large amount of oil on the skin can cause dandruff as well and the right hair care routine can help.
Treatments and Prevention
The treatment for dandruff is usually the use of specific shampoos that are anti-dandruff. These shampoos can often keep dandruff under control and sometimes antifungal options are used. Treating dry scalp can be done with conditioners that bring back some moisture to the hair. Changing the shampoos you use and going with milder options can help as well. Eating healthier foods can also improve the health of the skin and drinking enough water also plays a role.
Both dry scalp and dandruff can feel the same in the way they make the head itch and annoys people. The same differences are significant and knowing which one you may have can help you treat it better. Dry scalp can be addressed by staying hydrated and you can keep it from causing dandruff. Dandruff can be tackled by using the right shampoo and other medications on the scalp. The treatment you choose should be determined by the correct cause so that it works best.