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How to Combat that Pesky Dandruff

You’ve seen it before. It’s the white, flaky dead skin on your scalp and shoulders that we wish we didn’t see! Dandruff is actually incredibly common in both men and women and is caused from a number of different things. No need to stress though, dandruff is no biggie and not threatening to your health – just annoying! Below, learn the symptoms, causes and some helpful tricks and tips on combatting dandruff!

Is This Dandruff?

Symptoms of dandruff are fairly straight forward and easy to spot: white, oily flakes of dead skin on the scalp and shoulders. It is usually accompanied by an itchy scalp. As you itch, flakes of skin loosen from the scalp and make its way from your head to your shoulders.

Dandruff vs. Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an extremely common skin condition, affecting two to three percent of the population. Usually found on the elbows, scalp, knees or anywhere that regularly experiences friction, psoriasis causes raised, red lesions. Dandruff, on the other hand, is caused by mostly external factors and only found on the scalp. It is only typified by a flaky scalp. Psoriasis is a treatable and manageable condition but can cause mild pain so you should see your dermatologist as soon as possible.

Why Do I Have Dandruff?

Dandruff is caused by multiple things, from your body’s oil production to how often you wash your hair. Often, oiliness of hair, not shampooing enough or sensitivity to hair products, will lead to the production of dandruff. Changing seasons can also heavily affect the flaking of the skin. As the weather cools, your scalp begins to dry out, leaving it susceptible to flaking.

Please, help! How Can I Get Rid of Dandruff?

  • Change Your Shower Routine

    • If you don’t shampoo your hair often enough, there is a higher chance that you will develop dandruff. Try washing your hair once or twice a week more often to help your scalp clear up and regulate oil production.

  • Try a Dandruff Shampoo

    • There are many over the counter shampoos that help combat dandruff. Shampoos with pyrithione zinc, tar-based shampoos or selenium sulfide shampoos are all great options. However, because these shampoos have stronger ingredients to clear your scalp, they may also discolor lighter or dyed hair, so be sure to rinse well!

  • Apply Tea Tree Oil

    • Tea tree oil is a highly recommended, natural remedy for dandruff. It is known to clear the scalp and moisturize the skin. You can find shampoos that incorporate tea tree oil and use it as your everyday shampoo. Another option, however, is to visit your local health shop and pick up tea tree oil to apply directly to affected areas.

  • Get Some Sunlight

    • Spending a bit more time outside has been known to decrease dandruff in many people. Sunlight helps dry some of the excess oil on the scalp. This does not mean sunbathing, as that can lead to dry skin (worsening dandruff), but just spending more time than usual in broad daylight.

  • See Your Dermatologist

    • If you experience extreme dryness or bleeding, visit your dermatologist. Sometimes, individuals can incorrectly self-diagnose the scalp’s itchy patches as dandruff, but it may in fact be psoriasis. A dermatologist can help you diagnose what the flakes really are and get you the help you need.

If you or a loved one has tried the remedies above and your dandruff persists, it’s time to see a dermatologist. The staff at Knoxville Dermatology Group is professional and approachable, great for patients of any age. To make an appointment or learn more about how Knoxville Dermatology Group can help, visit their website or give them a call at (865) 690-9467.

The 411 on Hives

 

Hives, also known as urticaria, is an allergic reaction to allergens, which causes the skin to break out in pale red, swollen, itchy bumps or plaques. An allergic reaction is a negative immune response caused by a substance, or allergen, that the body has become hypersensitive to. Allergies can come in all shapes and sizes, and so can their reactions.

Seasonal allergies, however, is the reaction you may experiences during changing seasons, specifically fall and spring. This is when pollen levels are higher and causes your body stress while you react and cope with the changing levels. These aren’t necessarily allergies but cause the same reaction. Allergies are specific substances, or allergens, that your body has an adverse reaction to at any time. If you suffer from allergies, it is important to understand what hives are, their symptoms and how to treat them.

What are Hives?

Hives is an allergic reaction to allergens. Temperature extremes, stress, infection and illness can also cause hives, but is less likely. They can cause itching, stinging or even burning. They appear on the skin, or anywhere on the body, including the face, hands and tongue. Hives normally appear in three different shapes: tiny bumps, blotches or large connected raised sites, also known as plaques. Diagnosing hives can be difficult; so, make sure to take special note of your symptoms and even consider taking photos of the irritated site. There is no test to diagnose hives so a thorough skin test or blood test may need to be performed.

Know the types

  • Individual Hives: These hives last from around a few hours to up to a week. Individual hives are more common than any other type and the least severe. This can appear from any stressor mentioned above, like an allergen to extreme temperatures.
  • Acute Hives: Acute hives last from about a week to six weeks. Commonly, acute hives are a reaction to foods, medications or insects that you may be allergic to. If you experience acute hives, it’s important to see a dermatologist or allergist to get tested and see what you may be allergic to.
  • Chronic Hives: This includes hives lasting more than six weeks. It is extremely hard to diagnose but many believe it stems from more serious illnesses like cancer or hepatitis. If you are struggling from a disease or illness and experience hives lasting more than six weeks, talk to your doctor about specific ways to safely treat them.

Goodbye Hives

  • Antihistamines: These can be store bought in a cream or prescribed by a doctor or dermatologist as a pill. Store bought antihistamine cream works to soothe affected skin and relieve the itch. If prescribed by a doctor or dermatologist, antihistamines may be taken regularly to stop hives from appearing in the first place.
  • Cool Compress: Soak a towel in cold water or wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply it firmly to the inflamed area. This will calm the inflammation of the skin, lowering the raised areas of the skin and calming the itchier ones.
  • Visit a Dermatologist: If you experience hives, especially acute or chronic, visit your dermatologist. There, they can ask you questions on symptoms and family history, as well as performing an allergy test. This can help you understand why you get hives and ways to avoid the allergens that trigger the reaction.

Treating and diagnosing hives can be difficult. While there are a number of home remedies to treat hives, it is still important to take careful note of your reaction and seek medical attention if your condition worsens or becomes a regular occurrence. At Knoxville Dermatology Group, the professional staff can help treat your hives, so you can live life more comfortably. To make an appointment, visit our website or call us at (865) 690-9467.

Winter Skin Conditions

Spring weather may be on the way, but warmer days could be a long time coming which is especially difficult our skin. The consistent dryness of our indoor heat coupled with the coolness in the air can be exhausting on our skin. The two most inflamed skin conditions during the winter months are psoriasis and eczema. The cold weather tends to strengthen itchy, irritated patches. Here are a few facts about each:

Psoriasis causes severe skin inflammation due to overly active inflammatory pathways. Psoriatic skin cells are produced and mature too quickly. This tends to appear on the hairline, elbows and kneecaps.

Eczema and psoriasis can look very similar, but there are many differences. Eczema includes a decreased effectiveness of the skin’s ability to heal from external elements. Additionally, skin with eczema tends to lose hydration and become dry easily.

If you suspect you may have eczema, psoriasis, or just very dry skin, call Knoxville Dermatology Group at (865)690-9467 to schedule an appointment with a practitioner.

Lice be Gone

lice

“Share your toys!” – it’s a phrase we’ve all grown up with. While sharing does teach us a valuable lesson, some things are better left unshared. Let’s talk about lice.

These small, pesky insects tend to gravitate to the scalp and neck areas. Lice make tiny bites on your skin to feed on your blood, which causes that telltale itchy sensation. They spread from person to person through direct contact since they can’t jump or fly. This could involve sharing hats or combs or even lying close to someone with lice. And lice’s eggs also get passed easily with close contact and shared items.

While they are a nuisance, lice do not transmit any diseases. There are many over-the-counter products available to treat lice, or you can consult one of our physicians for the most effective treatment options.

If you have any questions about lice, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians in Knoxville to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

The Winter Itch

When it’s cold outside who doesn’t want to stay in? But being indoors with dry heat can be harsh on the skin. With skin as your first line of defense against bad weather, it’s important to take care it! Follow these steps for healthy, strong armor of skin!

When temperatures drop, so too does moisture in the air. Turning up the thermostat doesn’t help either. Consider a humidifier to keep air moist. Also remember to protect your lips, face, and hands before you go outside.

Steamy showers in the winter are soothing, but they won’t do your skin any favors. Hot water dries out the natural oils in your skin more quickly than cooler water. Try keeping the temperature at lukewarm and shorten your time in the shower.

And while you’re in the shower, check your soap. Some soaps are harsher on the skin than others. During the winter, use a milk-based, fragrance-free soap with moisturizer. Your skin will thank you.

Last thing to consider during the cold is the soap for your clothes. Fresh rain scented laundry detergent is refreshing in the spring, but perfumes in fabric softeners and detergents can irritate the skin. Look for “free” cleaners that don’t contain fragrance or dye. These are specially formulated for sensitive skin and may keep you more comfortable in your sweater!

If dry, red skin won’t go away, it could be a more serious skin condition such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. See you doctor or dermatologist to discover and treat the cause.

If you have any questions about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.