All about a better healthy life....

All about a better healthy life....

Monday, July 4, 2011

DANDRUFF

DANDRUFF (Pityriasis simplex):
is a form of seborrheic dermatitis, an inflammatory condition in which dead scalp cells flake off, leaving telltale signs on the shoulder and clothing. More severe cases also effect the skin around the nose, behind the ears, or in the armpits or delicate areas.
The flaking is thought to be caused by scalp cells that are aging too rapidly. Normally, dead skin cells are shed from the scalp during routine hair care. But when the normal growth pattern is altered, and excessive dead cells reach the scalp's surface simultaneously, they stick together n fall off in flakes. However, some researchers dispute this view and argue that a yeast called PITYROSPORUM OVALE is responsible. Whatever the cause, dandruff doesn't lead to permanant hair loss/baldness.

TREATMENTS OF DANDRUFF:

Ordinary dandruff doesn't need medical treatment, but severe cases may require a medicated shampo (selsun blue by Abbott)
other therapies are,

Aromatherapy:
Practitionets recommend bathing the effected areas three times a week with a 2% essence of Geranium in a distilled water base. Another remedy calls for massaging a 10% sage essence in an olive oil base into the effected areas, then waiting 2hrs before washing out the mixture. This procedure should be followed twice a week.

Herbal Medicines:
Aloe vera has skin softening properties that can help alleviate dandruff. It is most effective when a freshly cut leaf is rubbed directly onto the affected area. Applying Eucalyptus oil to the scalp is advocated by some herbalists.

Massage:
Although this therapy cannot cure dandruff, its a time honored method for reducing the stress that may be an underlying cause. Reflexology, or foot massage, is alsi said to be effective.

Relaxation Therapies:
All forms of medication, including yoga, may help relieve a dandruff condition that is related to excessive stress. An increase in exercise may have a similar effect.

Self Treatment:
-If your hair is oily, treat dandruff by brushing thoroughly and then washing with a shampoo for oily hair. Follow this with a dandruff shampoo that contains sulfur, such as Sebulex, Sebutone or Selsun Blue to remove dead scalp cells and reduce the output of oil glands.
Next, apply a lemon rinse,
[METHOD: made with the strained juice of one lemon in a cup of warm water]
pour this on, work it through the scalp, n rinse with cool water. Do not use a conditioner, which may actually compound the oil problem.
Treat ur hair with this program twice a week until the condition is under control. If you shampoo more frequently, use a standard shampoo for oily hair followed by lemon rinse. Blow dry using a cool or warm setting, but avoid letting the hair dry naturally, because lying against the scalp allows wet hair to pick-up oil more quickly. If possible, avoid hair spray as it is a magnet for dirt and oil.

-While using an iron straightner, dryer or conditioner, always avoid reaching roots.

-Treat dry hair and dandruff first with a through brushing, then spread about 1/4 cup of hand and body lotion on the hair and work it into the scalp. Wrap the head with towel that has been soaked in very hot water and wrung out, and leave it in place about 20min. Next, wash the hair with mild dandruff shampoo, such as head & shoulder, clear or Zincon, that contains zinc pyrithione.

-If a dandruff persist then try a coal tar shampoo such as, Denorex or Polytar. After shampooing, always rinse the scalp throughly with warm water.

-If u have normal hair, treat dandruff by brushing, washing with simple shampoo and then applying an aspirin rinse, made by dissolving six aspirin tablets in a cup of warm water. The rinse should be poured over the hair, worked into the scalp, and left on for 15min before rinsing. Once the dandruff disappears, you can return to a normal program of hair care.
-For hair that has been bleached/permed, dandruff should be treated by first brushing, then shampooing with a protein, acid-balanced shampoo. Follow this with a mild dandruff shampoo that contains zinc pyrithione, and then rinse and apply a low-pH conditioner with protein.


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