Winter Dandruff Woes: Why It Gets Worse and How to Manage It

Winter months not only bring cold weather, but they can make your dandruff worse. This seasonal woe can affect your scalp and makes it feel uncomfortable and very itchy. Many people that have dandruff, especially in winter, are scared to wear dark clothing because they think that others might easily see their dandruff flakes. If you want to avoid this, we’ve got you covered. In this blog, we’ll tell you how to prevent too much dandruff in winter.

Table of contents:

• What is dandruff and what causes it
• Why does dandruff get worse in winter
• How you can manage dandruff in winter

What is Dandruff and What Causes It?

Dandruff is basically a skin condition that can make dead skin cells fall off your scalp. This is also a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis which causes red skin and scaly patches on your scalp. But what causes it? Here are a few reasons:

• Dry scalpCold air it can make your skin and scalp dry. This is when the flaking (dandruff) starts.
• Oily skin: Our skin normally produces oil called sebum and when your scalp because too much oily during winters, it can lead to danruff.
• Haircare products: If you are sensitive to certain haircare products, it can be because of contact dermatitis, which can make your dandruff worse.
• Malassezia: This is a yeast that naturally found in the scalp, and when there is too much oil on the skin, the fungus produces oleic acid. It can irritate your scalp and leads to flaking.
• Other skin issues: Psoriasis and eczema are some of the skin conditions that can cause dead skin cells to build up on the scalp and also inflammation of the skin. This can irritate your scalp by making it itchy and cause dandruff.

Why Does Danruff Get Worse In Winter

• Cold and dry air: In the winter season, there is a lot of cold and dry air, which can also make your scalp dry, leading to dandruff.
• Indoor heating: When you turn on indoor heating, the moisture will be reduced, hence making your skin dry faster.
• Less hair washes: During winter, it is important to keep washing your hair. If not, oil, dirt, and other microbes can build on your scalp and cause dandruff.
• Wearing hair accessories: If you wear hats or other hair accessories too often, it can trap heat in your scalp and allow dandruff to grow easily.
• Heat styling: Using hair dryers, curling irons, hair straighteners, etc can also cause your scalp to dry out.
• Stress: Stress can make your hair fall out and when it is combined with winter weather, it can worsen your dandruff as well.

How You Can Manage Dandruff In Winter

• The right shampoo: When it comes to choosing your shampoo for winter, make sure to check the ingredients. See if it has active ingredients like salicylic acid, ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, etc that can help control your dandruff. Choose a good conditioner that can also moisturize your scalp.
• Mild hot showers: Taking very hot showers in winter may sound good but it actually does more harm to your scalp. This is because hot water can remove the natural oils on your skin, and when this happens, your scalp can dry out faster, leading to more skin flakes.
• Oil remedies: During winter, your scalp needs to be properly moisturized. For this, you can use oil to treat your scalp. Try to use coconut oil, argan oil, or even olvie oil. Using these oils can keep your scalp moisturized and prevent it from drying out.
• Frequent hair wash: In a week, try to wash your hair at least 3 times using an anti-dandruff shampoo. Washing your hair more than 2 or 3 times can cause the scalp to dry out and become flaky.
• Avoid scratching: Having dandruff in winter can make you scratch your scalp more. If you keep scratching, the dead skin cells can fall our easily. This means you can see more dandruff on your clothes, desk, etc. So instead of scratching, you can try pressing your scalp where it itches.
• Humidifiers: Since winters can dry your scalp and skin, it is better to use humidifiers. If the indoor air is too dry because of using heaters, a humidifier can add the moisture back, which prevents your scalp from drying and causing dandruff flakes.
• Breathable accessories: If you want to wear scarves, hats, etc during winters, make sure that it is made from breathable material so it does not trap heat in your scalp.

Conclusion

All in all, winter can make your dandruff worse, which can make your feel uncomfortable and reduce your confidence of wearing dark winter clothes. You can manage it by taking mild hot showers, using oils along with the right anti-dandruff shampoos, wearing breathable hats, and by avoiding scratching your scalp. If you want to get your dandruff treated right away, book an appointment at Dr. Health Clinic. Our doctors will provide the right treatment for your dandruff.