Dandruff: Causes, Symptoms & Effective Treatments

Dandruff is a common scalp condition that causes flaky, white or grayish skin flakes to appear in your hair. It can be an embarrassing and persistent problem, but it's usually not a sign of a serious medical condition.

Dandruff is caused by a fungus that lives on the scalp called Malassezia globosa. This fungus feeds on the oils that your scalp produces and breaks them down into fatty acids. Some people's scalps are more sensitive to this fungus than others, and they may develop dandruff as a result.

Other factors that can contribute to dandruff include:

* Dry skin

* Oily skin

* Dermatitis

* Psoriasis

* Eczema

* Certain medical conditions, such as Parkinson's disease and HIV/AIDS

* Stress

Dandruff can be treated with a variety of over-the-counter shampoos and other products. If these don't work, you may need to see a doctor or dermatologist for a prescription medication.