Home Remedies to Treat 'Stubborn' Dandruff

Near half of the population face a dandruff disorder at least once in life. It is basically a scalp issue rather than hair. No matter how much you veil the problem, flakes on your scalp become visible to people around you. You can’t completely eradicate dandruff, but you can overcome it to some extent. Several medications and home treatments are there to banish the mess of dandruff. You can pick anyone that works well for you. But, home remedies are preferable as they provide natural treatment for dandruff. Moreover; they are light on the pocket and also on your scalp.

The physical condition and bounce of your hair indicate the basic scalp situation. Dandruff is a fungal condition that affects the surface of the skull. The fungus known as Malassezia feeds on sebum and the dead skin cells that fall naturally due to the formation of new skin. This microbe is a part of your scalp. The problem arises when the fungus breaks down the sebum into fatty acids. These fatty acids may irritate the sensitive scalp of many. They set off dryness and itchiness on your scalp. Thus, it leads to the dead skin cells into visible flakes. The sensitivity of scalp to fatty acids describes whether it has acute or mild dandruff.

Obviously, dandruff is on duty round the year. But, the moist and humid environment flourishes this fungus. Thus, it irritates you during summer and monsoon due to sweating. However, the cold and dry wind in winter raids the moisture, causes dryness into itch and flakes. You can look for home remedies to treat the itch and flakes of dandruff.

Natural home remedies for the treatment of dandruff:

Now it’s the time to combat the enduring dandruff issue with easy and natural home remedies. Let’s move on…..

1: Treatment with tea tree oil

This is an essential oil that contains a compound terpinene-4-ol. This compound suppresses the growth of fungi on the scalp. Thus, it helps to reduce hair dandruff due to its antimicrobial nature. History shows that in the past, various conditions such as an athlete’s foot or dermatitis were treated with this oil. For treatment:

Add 1-2 drops of tea tree oil in your shampoo.
Leave it for few minutes.
Wash normally.

Caution: Don’t apply tea tree oil directly on the scalp. It can cause a burning sensation or rashes. Always use it in mold form by combining with other oils or in shampoo.

2: Combat itchiness with apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can restore the pH balance of your scalp. It not only inhibits the formation of yeast but also works as a natural hair cleanser. So, it helps to unclog pores and the hair follicles too. The method to use is:

Mix 2-cups of apple cider vinegar with 3-cups of chilled water.
Use this mixture to wet your hair.
Let it for two minutes and then wash it off.
Apply this once a week.

3: Try green tea with peppermint essential oil

Both, green tea and peppermint essential oil are antioxidants and antimicrobial. They can help to promote scalp health with good conditioning of your hair. Follow the steps and then see the amazing results:

Make a cup of green tea.
Mix 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil and 1-teaspoon of vinegar in the tea.
Leave it for a few minutes to cool.
Wet your hair with water, and then rinse with the green tea mixture.
Message your scalp for 4-5 minutes.
Apply mild shampoo and then use conditioner.

4: Control dandruff with neem leaves

Neem contains an antiseptic property, that’s why it has been in use since the old ages. Its leaves not only alleviate itching, but also reduce the growth of dandruff. To control dandruff, follow the steps:

Boil 2-handfuls of neem leaves in 5-cups of water.
Leave it overnight.
Strain the liquid and rinse your hair with it.
Let it sit on your scalp for about an hour.
Then, wash it off with water.

Note: You can also use neem leaves paste instead of its water.

5: Wipeout dandruff with lemon juice and coconut oil

Lemon is well known about its anti-fungal properties. To eliminate dandruff its juice works wonders! While coconut oil moisturizes your dry scalp and reduces itchiness. For this remedy:

Combine lemon juice with an equal part of coconut oil.
Do a gentle massage on your scalp.
Let it sit about 20-minutes and then wash your hair.
For best results apply this home treatment regularly at home.

6: Apply a mask of sour curd to fight dandruff

Curd has an acidic nature that helps combat dandruff. Curd also boosts your hair health by giving them a shiny and soft texture. To overcome the problems just follow the steps:

Take the required amount of sour curd and leave it a day for fermentation.
Apply the curd, mask to your scalp, and hair.
Let it on your skull for 1-2 hours.
Apply mild shampoo and wash it thoroughly.
Repeat the process twice a week.

7: Use salt to clean your scalp

Salt soak up excess of oil or sebum, that otherwise can clog your skull pores. Therefore, it is useful to absorb extra moisture and remove the fungal infection. To stop the spread of fungus; you can add salt to your usual hair wash.

Pour some shampoo on the palm.
Add a little salt to it.
Apply this mixture on your hair.
Gently massage in circular motions onto your scalp.

Leave the mixture for 2-3 minutes and then wash it off.

8: Control your dandruff with baking soda

Baking soda is a great antioxidant that exfoliates dead skin. It fights against the fungi that cause dandruff. Baking soda also absorbs excessive scalp oil, thus combat against itchiness. Initially, you may feel dryness in hair but in a couple of weeks, your scalp will start producing natural oil. So, don’t you worry!

Wet your hair and apply 1-tablespoon of soda on your scalp.
Leave it for a few minutes and then wash off with clean water.
Repeat it twice a week for healthy hair texture.

Besides these home remedies, the intake of certain foods is also a natural treatment for dandruff. Therefore, include chickpeas, nuts, ginger, apple, banana, and sunflower seeds in your food. Moreover, excluding stress and fried, oily, spicy, or junk food from your diet.

When to see a dermatologist:

Carrying a natural treatment from some dandruff home remedies endow with gradual progress. However, if the problem continues or gets worse, it could be a sign of Seborrheic dermatitis. This is a serious medical issue due to the invasion of fungus on your scalp. Such a condition demands prompt contact with a dermatologist. So, the dermatologist does the earliest analysis, to suggest the best treatment for your hair.

Conclusion:

Dandruff is a common skin condition. It causes itchy, irritating, and spotted flakes on the scalp of your skin. This may impact your personality and overall quality of life. Your dietary changes can also bring some improvement in the condition. But, to control dandruff, you do notice the best treatment results of natural remedies sitting in the comfort of your home!

Many of these home remedies have positive reliable evidence for dandruff control. But, not all home remedies will work for everyone. Anyone with an underlying, severe skin condition may consult a doctor before trying a new home remedy.