Dandruff–What is it and What Causes it?

Most people have heard of dandruff, but a lot of them may not know what it really is.

You may recognize dandruff as little white flecks, resembling dust, that appear on people’s collars and shoulders. Those white flecks are dead skin cells that come from the scalp. Additionally, dandruff may be accompanied by itching of the head, ears or neck. These symptoms can be exacerbated based on a number of environmental factors, such as an individual’s stress level and cold or dry weather.

Dandruff itself isn’t harmful or contagious, but it can be a source of embarrassment for people. While the dandruff itself is harmless, it can be indicative of other dermatological problems, such as psoriasis, eczema or seborrheic dermatitis. Seeing a dermatologist can either identify or rule out these conditions as the cause of your dandruff.

So what causes dandruff? As mentioned before, it can be a symptom of other skin problems. However, cases that are not caused by an underlying dermatological problem don’t always have a clear cause. Since dandruff is merely dead skin cells, which are dying all the time, it’s difficult to pinpoint why some people tend to have skin cells that are replaced more frequently than others. There are a number of theories, but as of yet there hasn’t been conclusive evidence to suggest what may cause dandruff in those who don’t suffer from other skin conditions.

If you need more serious help with skin issues or something else that is troubling your skin, we are here to help. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865.690.9467.