Other scalp issues
As stated above, there are many other scalp issues with symptoms that mimic dandruff’s excessive dead skin cell shedding. So, you want to look to other things like color and odor, to determine whether what you have is dandruff or something more serious.
Dandruff flakes tend to be yellowish or gray and itchy. Dandruff does not typically have an odor. It’s is simply the skin cells which have lifted from your scalp. If you are experiencing scalp odor, that may be caused by a buildup of oils*, fungal growth or bacteria on your scalp.
Just remember that dandruff is a straight forward issue. It’s excessive flakes. That’s all. Those flakes can buildup and lead to other issues, but those other issues are not dandruff.
Identifying the issue
Diet, hair products, lack of hydration and medication could all contribute to an overgrowth of cells and flakes on your scalp, which is not dandruff. If you aren’t sure where to start, in terms of identifying if your scalp issue is dandruff, start at the end then move backwards. In other words, don’t try to eliminate any one particular thing from your lifestyle to ID the problem. Instead, look at things in reverse.
If you detect an odor on your scalp, that’s a sign of something more significant. Bacteria and fungal growth can both be accompanied by a foul odor.
The buildup of flakes on your scalp may cause your glands to become clogged. The glands are designed to excrete oils*. Any foreign materials in those glands can cause buildup and throw off the natural cycle of oil production on your scalp. Mix that with the warm and moist environment of a scalp and you have the perfect breeding ground for fungus and bacteria.
Signs of more serious issues
Look for odor and odd colored flakes. Also, if your scalp has buildup within 24 to 48 hours after a good wash, you may be looking at something more serious than simply dandruff.
Bleeding and scabbing are also very clear indicators that you need to seek out the advice of a licensed dermatologist who can put together a treatment plan with you.
Dandruff is simply dead skin cells flaking off your scalp. Anything more than that, and you may be dealing with some more serious.
Meena Rashi says
This is caused by bacteria. Ketoconazole shampoo will fix it quickly.
Akosua Nicol Asamoah says
I used listerine to treat my dandruff and it worked like magic.
Akosua Nicol Asamoah says
I googled it and found out that listerine was first made to treat dandruff. I just put it in my dry hair and wait for about 5 minutes and rinse it out.
Rachael Otiegbe says
I thought it was a fungus called malassezia not a bacteria, was I taught incorrectly?
ishajack says
Looks like it could be seborheic dermatitis
Michelle Brewington McCoy says
vinegar and warm water
Atoysha Toy Wells-Bassene says
Michelle Brewington McCoy does absolutely nothing for my sister’s scalp. we have tried so many different things from natural to prescribed and recently did laser therapy. she’s special needs so she can’t do it herself. I have been thinking to let her go naturalsince she has a short style, but that’s a lot of work too bc I’m natural and so is my daughter
Amanda Smith says
Atoysha Toy Wells-Bassene have you tried mixing raw sugar with a heavy conditioner? I mix it into a thick scrub, section the hair like I’m greasing my scalp, apply mixture to sections and massage when done. A shampoo brush is also really helpful. Repeat as many times as necessary. Then do vinegar rinse.
Amanda Smith says
Atoysha Toy Wells-Bassene vinegar is great for removing build up but dead skin needs to be exfoliated off.
Michelle Brewington McCoy says
Atoysha Toy Wells-Bassene sometimes it can be your diet..i have to drink lots of water and I add a little conditioner after wetting my hair every morning for moisture if I don’t then my scalp gets very dry and flaky. Some perms can cause problems with your scalp that’s why I went natural.
LG Patton says
That looks fungal. Need to see a dermatologist or infectious disease doctor. I saw a lot of this when I volunteered at the George R. Brown Convention center after Hurricane Katrina.