While dandruff does not actually cause hair loss, you can have a full head of hair and still have dandruff, it should be cleared up if possible, as a clean scalp can only help prevent hair loss.

Dandruff is a mild inflammation of the scalp causing flaking. These flakes are often extremely visible on the hair and often fall on the shoulder showing a high visibility of the problem. There is sometimes itching or soreness and the scalp can feel rather tight.

A compound called selenium, found in several shampoo products, is highly effective in controlling dandruff.

The shampoo should be left on at least five minutes before being thoroughly rinsed. The hair and scalp should be shampooed with this type of shampoo at least once a week.

Also highly effective in treating dandruff is zinc. A lot of anti-dandruff shampoos contain zinc pyrithione which seems to be very good at clearing the problem.

A zinc vitamin supplement taken daily is excellent for the skin and hair. When used in conjunction with a zinc based shampoo the problem of dandruff should be kept at bay.

Another supplement being given a lot of press at the moment regarding skin care is beta carotene, which is also claimed as being extremely beneficial to the hair and scalp.

Dandruff can be also be due to nutritional deficiencies. It is recommended a person gets adequate amounts of vitamins B6, B12, F and selenium in their diet.

It is often found that the problem with dandruff is worse in the winter months and better in the summer, this is thought to be caused by changes in humidity.

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis

Seborrhoea comes from the word sebum, which is the natural oil produced in the sebaceous glands that flow into the hair follicle.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis has been called a more extensive and severe form of dandruff because there is no clear division between the two.

Flaking, redness and itching are more severe and can appear on the scalp, in the eyebrows, around the nose and on the cheeks, behind the ears and even on the chest and around the groin.

It may interfere with the nutrition of the hair, resulting in partial baldness. Some cases of dandruff are caused by the disease. Sebum may also accumulate in the ducts of the glands, causing the glands to become distended with undischarged sebum, and form a small hard body called a whitehead, or comedo.

When the sebum in the mouth of the duct becomes oxidized, the comedo is known as a blackhead.

Dermatitis seborrhoeic like dandruff tends to have seasonal differences and usually gets better in the summer and worse in winter.

The treatment for seborrhoeic dermatitis is similar to dandruff, although a shampoo of coal tar seems to have a better effect on the scalp. If the problem is very severe you should seek advice from the doctor as a course on steroid's may be required to clear it up.

Seborrhoeic appears to be heredity, if some relative has it the chances are that is what you may have.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is usually a more severe problem than the above and affects about 3% of the population. It is not contagious but can be passed on through the family.

It is usually seen as silvery flaky scales on the scalp or anywhere on the body. The more serious cases of psoriasis should be referred to a doctor for treatment. Doctors often prescribe steroid creams to help cure the problem.

People have recently been praising the use of evening primrose oil to try and treat the problem. Women taking this as a daily supplement have reported seeing excellent improvement in their skin as well as in their general well being.

Old Fashioned Cures

Boric acid is a very old remedy for treating dandruff, and is freely available from your chemist.

Moisten with a little water and rub well into the scalp, then rinse out thoroughly with warm water. This should be carried out just before you shampoo your hair in the normal way.

An infusion of fresh rosemary made with boiling water and allowed to cool till it is warm, makes a good final rinse to help clear the scalp.

Another treatment is to simply rub peanut oil into the scalp then apply the juice from a lemon, leave on for five minutes and then shampoo as normal.