Scaliness of the Scalp

The term dandruff generally refers to the condition of the skin wherein shiny, silvery scales separate from the scalp and collect amidst the hair. The condition can become troublesome when the skin gets infected.

There are many forms of dandruff, such as common dandruff, psoriasis, neurodermatitis. Dandruff itches and when scratched falls away easily. Psoriasis is a more difficult disorder where the scales, silver-white in color, cling tenaciously to the scalp. Neurodermatitis is a condition confined to the area at the base of the scalp, characterized by extreme itchiness and common among menopausal and post-menopausal women.

Symptoms
When the hair is combed or brushed, or when the scalp is scratched, the scales from the scalp fall like snowflakes and settle on the eye brows, shoulders, and clothes. These scales sometimes appear as lumps or crusts on the scalp. Often there is itching as well and the scalp may become red from scratching.

Research indicated that dandruff becomes evident when chemical reaction in the body causes the normal shedding of dead cells to increase, thru making the peeling process, normally imperceptible, much more apparent. Evidence suggest that this chemical change is associated with one or a combination of factors, namely a dietary deficiency, stress, and ill-usage of hair preparations. It goes without saying that dandruff is obvious is Nature's cry for help!.

Causes

The main causes of dandruff are 
1) Impairment of general health.
2) Development of a toxic condition mainly due to taking of wrong foods. 
3) Constipation
4) Low vitality due to infectious diseases. 
5) Emotional tension
6) Harsh shampoos
7) Exposure to cold
8) General exhaustion
9) Use of more chemicals in hair
10) Eating food comprising of starch & fats, cold drinks, ice creams
11) When you don't comb your hair properly. It results in incomplete blood circulation which causes dandruff. 
12) Dry environment
13) Using strong hard base shampoo.
14) Irregular menstruation cycle in women.

Remedies

Fenugreek Seeds: The use of fenugreek seeds is one of the most important remedies in the treatment of dandruff. Two tablespoons of these seeds should be soaked overnight in water and ground into a fine paste in the morning. This paste should be applied all over the scalp and left for half an hour. The hair should then be washed thoroughly with soap-nut (ritha) solution or shikakai.

Lime: The use of a teaspoon of fresh lime juice for the last rinse, while washing the hair, is another useful remedy. This not only leaves the hair glowing but also removes stickiness and prevents dandruff.

Green Gram Powder: A valuable prescription for removal of dandruff is the use of green grain powder. The hair should be washed twice a week with two tablespoons of this powder mixed with half a cup of curd.

Other Remedies: Dandruff can be removed by massaging the hair for half an hour with curd which has been kept in the open for three days, or with a few drops of lime juice mixed with amla juice every night, before going to bed. Another measure which helps to counteract dandruff is to dilute cider vinegar with an equal quantity of water and dab this on to the hair with cotton wool in between shampooing. Cider vinegar added to the final rinsing water after shampooing also helps to disperse dandruff.

Dietary Considerations
Psoriasis Diet
Diet plays an important role in the treatment of dandruff. To begin with, the patient should resort to an all-fruit diet for about five days and take three meals a day of juicy fruits. Citrus fruits, bananas, dried, stewed, or tinned fruits should not be taken. After the all-fruit diet, the patient can gradually adopt a well-balanced diet, with emphasis on raw foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. Further short periods of an all-fruit diet for three days or so may be necessary at monthly intervals till the skin's condition improves.

Meat, sugar, white flour, strong tea or coffee, condiments, pickles, refined and processed foods should all be avoided. Avoid fry foods, animal fats, nuts, avocado and dairy products. Eliminate refined sugars from the diet.

Other Measures

The foremost consideration in the treatment of this disorder is to keep the hair and scalp clean so as to minimize the accumulation of dead cells. The hair should be brushed daily to improve the circulation and remove any flakiness. The most effective way to brush the hair is to bend forward from the waist with the head down towards the ground, and brush from the nape of the neck towards the top of the head. The scalp should also be thoroughly massaged everyday, using one's finger tips and working systematically over the head. This should be done just before or after brushing the hair. Like brushing, this stimulates the circulation, dislodges dirt and dandruff, and encourages hair growth. Exposure of the head to the rays of the sun is also a useful measure in the treatment of dandruff.

During the first five days of the treatment when the patient takes an all-fruit diet, a warm-water enema should be taken daily to cleanse the bowels. Simultaneously, an attempt should be made to keep the body in good health.

Hair tonic
Take 1 lb of stinging nettles and bring to boil in 1 pint of water. Leave to cool, strain. Rub it gently into scalp and shampoo as usual. It  prevents dandruff and also hair loss. 

For problems with dandruff, add rosemary and/or patchouli
essential oils to your shampoo or mix with almond oil as a hair
treatment for your scalp. 

3)Apply apple juice in hair, it will remove your dandruff.

4)After washing your hair with shampoo, apply a few drops of lemon in your hair and massage well. Rinse your hair after 2-3 minutes and see how shiny your hair looks! It will also remove dandruff from your hair.

5)Washing the hair with a weak solution of common salt cleans the scalp, cures dandruff and prevents hair loss.
Forget those pricey dandruff shampoos, all you need is mouthwash! It works wonders.

6) Use a gentle shampoo and dilute it before using Commercial anti-dandruff shampoos are too harsh can dry out the hair. Besides these shampoos will only take care of the symptoms not the problem.

7) Use an natural shampoo with tea tree oil and/or rosemary oil. Lightly massage your scalp with the tips of your finger, always using a circular movement for 5 minutes. This is good for blood nourishment to the scalp.

8) Massage a blend of essential oils of jojoba oil, tea tree, and rosemary oil into your scalp with your finger tips for 5 minutes at least once a week and leave in overnight (use a old pillow case)

9) Add six spoonfuls water, two spoonfuls pure vinegar and apply it on the scalp with cotton wool before going to bed. Tie a towel around your head to protect the pillow. Wash your hair next morning. After shampooing, rinse again with vinegar water. Continue this once a week for at least three months.

10) Mix a spoonful of lemon juice with two spoonfuls of vinegar and massage on the scalp.

11) Natural Anti-Dandruff Massage:

• Massage your scalp with warm coconut or castor oil twice a week.
• Massage with the tips of your fingers in a circular movement for at least half an hour.
• Leave it on overnight and shampoo the following morning.
• This prevents the hair from becoming dry and moreover prevents dandruff and falling hair by improving the circulation and strengthening the hair roots.

12) Homemade Anti-Dandruff Preparations/Recipes

Homemade Anti-Dandruff Sesame Preparation 1 for dandruff

Sesame Oil 500 ml
Bhangra Leaves 100 gm

Boil bhangra leaves in sesame oil for 15 minutes. Let it stand for an hour then strain it. Massage this oil in your head. Leave it for an hour then shampoo your hair.

Anti-Dandruff Sesame Preparation 2 for dandruff

Sesame Oil 1 tbsp
Bhailavan 3 tbsp

Blend the two together and apply it on the head. Leave it on for 2-3 hours and wash it off with a shampoo in lukewarm water.

Anti-Dandruff Rosemary Preparation for dandruff

Rosemary Leaves 1 handful
Water 1 litre
Vinegar 2 tsp

Boil the water and soak rosemary leaves in it. Let it stand for one night. Strain and add vinegar to it. After shampooing wash your hair with this preparation. It treats the hair very fast.

13) Apply gel of Aloe Vera to your scalp half an hour before washing your hair. It will remove the dandruff from your scalp.

14) A mixture of baby oil and listerine works great to kill the fungus that causes dandruff and also moisturize scalp...leave on overnight.

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