How to get rid of dandruff during winters

The colder the months get more dandruff starts to appear on the scalp. Winter is the season when we all love to sit near the bonfire and have our hot chocolates or coffee. And nobody wants to enjoy all this while having those rough hair along with those white flakes showing here and there. Mainly dandruff is caused due to dryness of the scalp and making the scalp itchy.

If you want to reduce dandruff then you must take care of your hair properly by using the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair. Especially the ones that are packed with anti-dandruff or anti-fungal properties. But there are many other easy ways to get rid of dandruff, so, continue ready and learn how?

Is the winter season the main cause of Dandruff?

The answer is that dandruff is not caused by winters alone but there are other ailments resulting in flakiness. People believe that dandruff is the dryness of the scalp but that's not the case. What actually happens is that the scalp becomes extremely oily and this causes the growth of a fungus called Malassezia Globosa which results in dandruff.

But it should not be confused with having a dry scalp because in winter they tend to lose moisture. This causes the skin to crack and the dead skin cells trapped inside the hair push out. One of the biggest differences is that if the scalp is dry then you will see smaller flakes while in dandruff you will find bigger flakes.

What are the causes of dandruff in winter?

As discussed excessive production of oil results in more fungal production. Here are the causative factors resulting in the excessive growth of oil:-

If you have a habit of wearing a hat for a longer period of time then this increases the chances of having dandruff. Because it causes a rise in temperature around the scalp increasing the risk of having dandruff.
Not washing the hair in winters properly could result in your hair mattifying. This causes dirt and oil to trap inside the hair.
Sudden changes in the temperature like washing hair in extremely hot or cold water can cause excessive secretion of oil.
During the winter season, there is fluctuation in the hormonal levels and we feel more fatigue. This is also directly linked to the production of oil and hence causes winter dandruff.

What are the tips that can help in reducing dandruff during the winter season?

Drink a lot of Water

Dandruff Solution

During the winter season, it is often seen that we tend to drink less water in comparison to other seasons. This causes the hair as well as skin to dehydrate and hence resulting in dandruff.

Normally it is important to drink almost 7 to 8 glasses of water a day in order to reduce the chances of dehydration.

Reducing Stress

What Causes Dandruff

Stress is considered to be the main cause resulting in many health problems and dandruff is also one of the symptoms. We became more restless and sometimes too much stress can cause you to reduce immunity. In turn, it reduces the ability to fight the fungal infection and hence aggravates dandruff.

It is important to control stress and this could be done through meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and aromatherapy.

Omega 3 fatty acids

Omega 3 fatty acids are one of the important sources for the body because they help in making the cell membrane. This naturally makes it important for the lungs, heart, and immune system. Consuming Omega 3 fatty acids can help in managing the production of oil which will hydrate the skin and will promote the wound to heal.

Even dandruff is one of the signs of having dandruff, in order to control this you must include food items like chia seeds, flaxseeds, and walnuts.

Avoid food items aggravating Dandruff

There are certain food items that can cause inflammation and aggravate dandruff. So, there have been studies that show you can easily control fungal infection by improving the microbiome in your gut. There are some food items that should be eliminated or reduced and this includes red meat, fried foods, pasta, white bread, white pasta, sugary foods, and many more.

Here are some home remedies that can be helpful as well:-

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is packed with antifungal properties which can easily kill dandruff and also balance the pH levels of the scalp. Simply combine one cup of water with half a cup of apple cider vinegar. Apply it to your scalp, let it sit on your hair for 10 minutes, and then rinse it off.

Tea Tree Oil

The antifungal and antibacterial qualities of tea tree oil make it one of the best oils for hair. It is helpful in reducing lice, and treating wounds and is also perfect to control dandruff. It effectively reduces the overproduction of oil and hence reduces the chance of fungal infection.

Take Away

Dandruff Shampoo

It is really common to have dandruff during the season winter and could also cause discomfort. People often confuse it with having a dry scalp but both of them are different from each other. But dont worry if you are suffering from winter dandruff it can be easily controlled through some simple steps. You dont have to empty your wallet for it but just make sure to control a few things like following a good diet, reducing salt intake, and many more.

FAQs

Q. Is it good to apply oil if you have dandruff?

Ans. No, it's better not to apply oil as it can make the scalp more oily and hence result in much dandruff as well.

Q. Does the application of lemon help in reducing dandruff?

Ans. The citric acid present in lemons helps in addressing dandruff and also removing the root cause of the hair problem.

Q. Is it a good choice to apply coconut oil on hair?

Ans. Well, if we know that it's oil then there are chances it might irritate the skin and scalp. So, it's better to avoid applying coconut oil in order to reduce any chance of dandruff getting worse.