Dandruff is an embarrassing condition to deal with. It often dictates the kind of clothing you wear, and even how you style your hair! Dandruff is essentially a skin condition in which the skin on the scalp starts to flake, and is often accompanied by itching and hair fall.Dandruff is an embarrassing condition to deal with. It often dictates the kind of clothing you wear, and even how you style your hair! Dandruff is essentially a skin condition in which the skin on the scalp starts to flake, and is often accompanied by itching and hair fall.

What causes dandruff?
Dandruff is a very common skin disorder and affects almost everyone sometime in their life. It generally affects a person after puberty and starts to wane after middle age. While there is no specific cause of dandruff, there are several factors which contribute to dandruff

• Hair hygiene: Many people find dandruff as early as the day after washing their hair, so dandruff is not always related to hygiene. However, not washing or brushing hair for a long time or leaving it sweaty after a workout session can lead to dandruff. So hygiene is definitely something you can’t afford to neglect.
• Seborrheic dermatitis: This is a fungal infection caused by Malassezia fungus. This feeds on the oils secreted by the scalp and irritates the skin, leading to flaking of the skin and causing dandruff.·
• Dry Skin: This is the most common reason for dandruff. Often this is observed in cold weather conditions where the skin is not hydrated enough.·
• Shampoo and hair products: Certain hair products have harsh chemicals or allergens that are not suitable for specific skin types. This causes dandruff, and shifting of the shampoos often resolves the issue.·
• Diet: Minerals like zinc, and vitamins like Vitamin E, are important for healthy scalp and hair. Lack of these in the diet can cause dandruff.

Apart from these issues, medical conditions and skin disorders can also cause dandruff.

What are the remedies for dandruff treatment?
There is no one specific cure for dandruff; it can only be prevented and controlled. While severe cases of dandruff can be treated by a doctor, you can start dandruff treatment at home with these easy remedies:

• Baking Soda: This is a useful hair dandruff treatment at home for those suffering from overactive fungi. The baking soda dries the scalp and kills the fungi. Rinse your hair with water and massage it with 2 spoons of baking soda. Rinse it again with water and do not use shampoo. Do this only twice a month; excessive usage will dry the hair too much.
• Coconut Oil:  Coconut oil has great moisturizing properties and soothes the skin of the scalp. It also has anti-fungal properties, which prevent dandruff. You can massage your scalp with 3-5 spoons of coconut oil and leave it on for an hour prior to shampooing your hair. You can do this every time you shampoo.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: The apple cider changes the pH of the scalp and makes it difficult for yeast to grow on your scalp, leading to prevention of dandruff. Take a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar and mix it with a quarter cup of water. Apply this solution to your scalp and let it sit for half hour before shampooing. You can do this twice a week.
• Lemon: Lemon has citric acid that has antifungal properties and acts right at the root of hair follicles. Its acidity also helps in balancing the pH of the scalp and reduces dandruff. You can shampoo your hair, and then apply a mixture of 1 spoon of lemon juice with water to your scalp. Rinse this after 5 minutes. Repeat every time you shampoo.
• Olive oil: Olive oil is a wonderful moisturizer and works well for dandruff caused by dry skin. You can massage the scalp with olive oil and leave it overnight. Wash it the next day with a mild shampoo. Several shampoos also have olive oil extracts that can be used.
• Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is a magic ingredient and has anti-inflammatory properties. You can apply it to your scalp to prevent itching. Apply the natural gel for an hour prior to washing your hair. Repeat this every time you shampoo, especially if you suffer from the itchy and dry scalp.
• Mouthwash: Mouthwash has antibacterial properties and can be directly used on the scalp to prevent and treat fungal and bacterial infections which cause dandruff. Wash your hair and then rinse it with mouthwash
• Salt: Common salt can be a great scrub for hair. Use sea salt for this purpose. Massage your hair with salt, and then wash it with a mild shampoo. This will remove the fine dry skin cells and leave your hair looking healthy and clean.

These are common hair dandruff treatments you can carry out at home. In case these do not work, and the dandruff persists, make sure you visit your doctor to find the right treatment.