What does it Mean if your Scalp is Peeling?
You might think that those white flakes falling on your shoulders are dandruff, but instead it could be a symptom of a dry scalp! Dry scalp results to scalp peeling which can be very irritating and sometimes disruptive to your daily life.
Scalp peeling can be a result of few things such as, dermatitis, dandruff (oily scalp) or psoriasis. Often times when our scalp is itchy, dandruff is often present causing irritation and red scalp.
In this blogpost, we will be discussing the causes, how to treat them and when you should visit a doctor should the condition gets worse.
1. Dermatitis
There are two common types of dermatitis that causes dry, itchy skin: contact dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis. Dermatitis is a general term that describes dry, itchy skin.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a red and itchy rash that is caused by contact with an allergen or with a substance that irritates it. Often time, it could be an ingredient that you're allergic to (e.g fragrances, latex, detergents etc).
Some symptoms include:
- Dryness
- Itching
- Rash
- Cracking Skin
- Blisters that may have crusts and scales
- Burning Skin
Seborrheic Dermatitis
It's quite simple to point out seborrheic dermatitis; it appears as greasy, red patches, the rashes develops into yellow or white scales that often flake. They cause scaly patches and red skin and can be mainly seen on the scalp, eyebrows, beard area and smile lines on the face.
The proper way to treat contact dermatitis is to avoid the irritant that can trigger it. On the other hand, to treat seborrheic dermatitis, you may need to use an anti-dandruff shampoo. Topical steroids and anti-fungal cream can also be helpful.
2. Dandruff
Dandruff is a common skin problem. Similar to seborrheic dermatitis, both affect oily regions of the body which includes the scalp. Unlike dermatitis, dandruff is only found on the scalp.
There are many causes to dandruff, here are some of the factors:
- Irregular hair washing / shampooing habit
- Dermatitis
- Dry Scalp that can lead to small flakes on scalp
- Product build up
- Male hormones (more prevalent among males)
Contrary to popular belief, dandruff is not the result of poor hygiene or the lack of washing your hair. However, irregular hair washing can make dandruff more visible and worse. This is because frequent hair washing helps to exfoliate dead skin on your scalp.
If you're experiencing dandruff, try our Chanamu Tea Tree Shampoo for better results! Shampoos that contain tea tree oil are a good remedy for dandruff! On top of being a natural ingredient with anti-fungal properties, studies have shown that tea tree helps to treat dandruff.
Always ensure you're not allergic to the ingredient before using. Consult your doctor if you're unsure!
3. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that produces a scaly rash. Scalp psoriasis may be mild to severe and the rashes can extend beyond the scalp to ears, neck and forehead.
Symptoms of psoriasis includes itchy rashes that appear red with thickened plaque, you may also notice white flakes along the hairline, forehead, ears or neck.
Here are some factors that triggers psoriasis:
- Genetics may play a role
- Allergies
- Cold, dry weather
- Environmental factos
- Illness
- Skin Injury
- Stress
With mild cases of psoriasis, over the counter shampoo will most likely work. Ensure that you choose moisturising and hydrating shampoo or regular, gentle shampoo. If this does not help, you will need to meet a doctor or pharmacist that can point you to the right shampoo.
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