What causes your itchy, flaky scalp?
Do you suffer from the discomfort and embarrassment caused by mild to severe scalp conditions such as Dandruff, Seborrheic Dermatitis, and Psoriasis? These conditions are the three main causes of itchy, flaky scalp and their symptoms are as unfriendly as their names.
Dandruff
Your scalp sheds skin cells as part of its normal cell reproduction. But with Dandruff, scalp cell production is abnormally rapid. The cells collect together on the scalp forming flakes. When these flakes break free, they are readily seen in their hair and on clothing. Dandruff also causes the scalp to itch. And when scratched, the scalp can become irritated, leading to physical discomfort as well as social embarrassment.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic Dermatitis appears as lesions or rashes covered by sometimes oily, yellowish or whitish scale. This condition can appear on areas of the skin which have an abundance of oil glands, including the scalp, nose, and eyebrows. As with Dandruff, the rapid build-up and scaling of cells is one aspect of the problem and results in flakes and itching.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is characterized by accelerated cell production and thickening of the outer layer of the skin. These cells do not eventually flake, but build up to form plaques. Plaques are reddish and silver-scaled, and they often itch. They sometimes cover large areas of the body, including the scalp, and can be very difficult to treat. The exact cause of Psoriasis is unknown, but immunological and biochemical abnormalities are contenders. Psoriasis also tends to run in families.
Treatment
One of the best ways to control Dandruff, as well as Seborrheic Dermatitis and Psoriasis of the scalp, is to slow down the cell division rate. There are many medications and treatments available to fight them successfully. Your dermatologist will determine medications and strengths based on you and your conditions. These may be prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, or a mix of both.
Neutrogena T/Gel® is the #1 Dermatologist recommended brand of Therapeutic shampoo. It is formulated to treat the symptoms of all three major itchy, flaky scalp conditions. T/Gel is also available in a Therapeutic Conditioner. T/Gel contains Neutar®, a coal tar derivative, which slows the production of skin cells and effectively controls the itching and flaking common in scalp conditions.