Do you always feel like scratching your scalp? And is there a cascade of white flakes on your dark clothes? Well, a dandruff scalp might be the culprit for these embarrassments. Dandruff is caused by a fungus called Malassezia. It feeds on the oily matter secreted by the sebaceous glands on your scalp. This might irritate a sensitive scalp and cause dryness and itching. It leads to the dead skin cells accumulating into visible flakes. The sensitivity level to these fatty acids determines if you develop acute or mild dandruff.
Quick home remedies for dandruff
If you’re looking for home remedies for dandruff, you have landed on the right page.
- Do not oil hair and keep it on for long
It’s a pure myth that oiling is good for scalp dandruff. Oil is like food for Malassezia. Applying oil to a dry, itchy scalp may worsen your dandruff condition, especially when you leave it on for longer periods.
- Vinegar
Vinegar helps to kill dandruff-causing fungus and bacteria. Its acidic content is extremely helpful to radically decrease flaking. Apply the mixture of white vinegar with water on the scalp about half an hour before a head wash.
- Baking soda
Baking soda acts as a scrub and exfoliator. It exfoliates the scalp dandruff gently, without irritating it and removing dead skin cells. Exfoliation is vital to make sure there is no buildup of flakes on the scalp that make dandruff even more visible. Baking soda soothes the scalp and reduces redness and itching. You can add some baking soda to your shampoo while washing your hair to derive its benefits.
- Tea tree oil
All antifungal medications boast of tea tree oil due to its exceptional power to fight fungal and bacterial infections. Add a drop or two of tea tree oil to your shampoo and wash your hair to notice the results.
- Garlic
The strong smell of the garlic clove might make it a No-No for some but its medicinal value is something that cannot be overlooked. Garlic is beneficial as a natural anti-fungal product. Pound a clove or two of garlic and mix in a little honey and ginger. After mixing with water, use it on your scalp dandruff.
- Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is cooling and mildly exfoliates the skin. It has antifungal and antibacterial properties. It can be applied on the scalp dandruff and then washed off with a medicated anti-dandruff or mild shampoo. This calms an irritated scalp down and provides relief from inflammation.
- Lemon Juice and Yogurt
Lemon has antimicrobial properties and yogurt is a natural moisturizer. These help with your scalp dandruff and help in healing as well. Mix a bowl of yogurt with one freshly squeezed lemon. Put the mixture on your hair. You can massage your scalp with it. Leave it on for 10 minutes. And then wash it off with shampoo. Repeat this treatment 3-4 times a week.
- Fenugreek seeds
This has just the right amount of vitamins, proteins and acids to combat dandruff. It is good for reducing hair fall if that’s another concern of yours. Grind up 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds and pour 2 cups of hot water. Let it sit overnight. Wash your hair with fenugreek water.
- Egg yolks
This has proteins that your hair and scalp love and need. Eggs are an excellent natural hair conditioner. Beat 2 egg yolks in a bowl and apply to your scalp until your hair is completely dry. Then put on a shower cap for about an hour. Make sure to thoroughly wash off with a good shampoo. You might have to do it twice.
Treatment in homeopathy
You need to treat your dandruff problem internally with proper homeopathic medicines. Homeopathy treats your fundamental cause of dandruff and hence, the recurrence rate will be less. Homeopathy aims to control the fast shedding of scalp skin leading to dandruff. It slows down the fast generation of the scalp’s skin cells, thereby giving you long-lasting results.
Some of the commonly used homeopathic medicines for dandruff are Graphites, Kali Muriaticum, Kali Sulphuricum, Mezereum, Natrum Muriaticum, Psorinum, Sepia, Sulphur, Thuja Occidentalis etc. But do not self-medicate. You must take medicines from a homeopathic doctor because homeopathic medicines are selected based on the totality of your symptoms, causes, triggering factors, personality and temperament.
Visit the nearest hair clinic to get a safe, customized, effective and long-lasting treatment for dandruff.