Dandruff

Dandruff is the common name for the mild form of seborrheic dermatitis. It is a skin disorder wherein there is an accumulation of dead skin cells in the scalp followed by rapid peeling or flaking.

Symptoms
Although it is not considered a form of disease, everyone commonly experiences dandruff. The exact causes of flaking are not yet identified. However, there are experts who deduce that a certain type of fungus, called as Malassezia globosa, which specifically targets the scalp, could be the main suspect.

Redness and irritation may also appear for chronic conditions.

Causes
Food allergies, physical or emotional stress, nutritional deficiencies, chemical reaction due to usage of hair products, and the weather could aggravate dandruff.

Home Remedies
Fenugreek: Soak 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in water overnight. Make it into a paste the next morning. Apply it all over the scalp area and leave it for half an hour. Rinse the hair thoroughly with soap-nut solution (ritha) of shikakai.

Lime: Use a teaspoon of lime juice when rinsing. It will help prevent dandruff and at the same time, makes the hair shinier.

Green gram: Mix 2 tablespoons of green gram powder with half a cup of curd. Use the mixture to wash the hair twice a week.

Beet: Boil white beet tops and roots in water. Massage the scalp with the boiled water using your fingers every night.

Snake gourd: Rub snake gourd juice in the scalp deliberately.

Curd: Massage the hair with curd that has been left open for 3 days for half an hour. You can also mix it with a few drops of lime and amla juice. Do this every night before going to bed.

Cider vinegar: Mix cider vinegar with equal parts of water. Dab this to the hair using a cotton wool while shampooing. Mix another cider vinegar into the water for rinsing to achieve optimum results.

Diets
Undergo a fruit diet for 5 days along with taking 3 meals a day consisting of fresh, juicy fruits. Follow it by eating fruits and vegetables except bananas, citrus fruits, and dried fruits. Repeat the fruit diet again the next 3 days or every other month until the condition improved.

Carefully avoid meats, sugar, white flour, strong tea or coffee, condiments, pickles, refined and all processed foods.

Other Treatments
Always wash the hair and scalp regularly to minimize the accumulation of dead cells.

Brush hair daily to improve blood circulation. It will also remove any visible flakes. It is more effective to remove dandruff by brushing from the nape of the neck to the top of the head. This should be done while in a bowing position so as to let the flakes fall freely to the ground.

Massage the scalp everyday after brushing. Use the tip of your fingertips to stimulate blood circulation, encourage hair growth, and remove any remaining traces of dandruff.

Allow the hair and scalp to have some exposure to the sun from time to time.

Administer a warm water enema to the patient during the first 5 days of taking the fruit diet.