Well-being Q&A: Herbal dandruff remedies
Dr V.L. Shyam answers queries exclusively for readers of Friday
I have been suffering from severe dandruff on my scalp and am losing hair. I have also found that red patches are developing on my skin including on my scalp. My friend thinks I could be suffering from psoriasis. Please help.
Mehzabin via email
Dandruff, by definition, is a scalp condition marked by itching and flaking of the skin. The causes are dry skin, irritated skin, oily skin (seborrhoeic dermatitis), psoriasis, eczema and sensitivity to hair care products, known as contact dermatitis.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is marked by red, greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales. Psoriasis, an auto-immune disease, also causes an accumulation of dead skin cells that form thick, silvery scales. Psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis affect the life-cycle of skin cells. Normally, new cells take about a month to move from the deepest layer of skin where they are produced to the outermost layer where they die and flake off.
With psoriasis or seborrhoeic dermatitis, the entire life-cycle lasts only days. As a result, cells build up rapidly, forming thick silvery scales and itchy, dry and red patches that are sometimes painful.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis can affect the scalp and other areas rich in oil, such as eyebrows, sides of the nose, the area behind the ears, chest, groin, and armpits.
Both dandruff and psoriasis are considered a Vata Kapha imbalanced skin condition as per Ayurveda medical practice. Therefore, the treatment for both is similar unless the condition is severe. You could try these Ayurvedic remedies:
- Apply ayyappala thailam* (vidpala thailam) on the scalp 15-30 minutes before washing.
- Use an anti-dandruff shampoo three times weekly. Alternate between two different products.
- Before washing your hair, massage your scalp with a paste of fenugreek seeds.
- Use a paste of thriphala* powder to wash your scalp.
- Try to avoid, smoking and alcohol. Yoga and meditation can help manage stress.
- Try to eat less yoghurt, milk, jaggery, black gram, shell fish, sesame products, sour and salty foods.
- Drink water boiled with the bark of khadira* (acacia catechu or karingali)
- Consider taking supplements of multivitamin, zinc and fish oil.
*Available at shops selling herbal products
