Learn how to recognize a dandruff problem and how to address flaking, itching, and dryness.
Dandruff Symptoms
Essentially, all manifestations of dandruff are signs that the epidermis is irritated, an irritation caused by a micro-organism called Malassezia Globosa. Learn more about the cause of dandruff. When the scalp is irritated, it behaves in the same way as the epidermis in general, and reacts with:
- Itching
- Redness
- Dryness
- Flakes
How symptoms manifest
The famous "dandruff" or flakes that appear in your hair, and sometimes on your shoulders, are the most visible sign. The cause? An accelerated renewal of epidermal cells that accumulate on the scalp and detach. But while this is the most obvious manifestation, it is not always the first. Itching often occurs before dandruff and is a precursor. Early symptoms can also include dryness and redness, accompanied by sensations of tightness on the scalp. While not all of these manifestations necessarily indicate a dandruff problem, they are the main warning signs of this condition, and a serious incentive to use an anti-dandruff shampoo to treat the irritation.