Dandruff in winter is a major problem. It is a type of yeast called Malassezia, which grows on the scalp as well as on the skin. It usually remains in the scalp and skin, but in winter, it aggravates and overgrows due to some favorable conditions.

Which factors trigger dandruff growth?

Dandruff is usually present in a small amount throughout the year, but in winter, there are some triggering factors due to which it gets aggravated and disturbs individuals. The aggravating factors are as follows:

• Dehydration
• Wet hair
• Covering all the time with a cap.
• Frequent hair wash
• Dry hair
• Not using hair oils
• Using low-quality shampoos

What are the symptoms of dandruff?

If dandruff is less, it does not cause any symptoms, but if there is overgrowth, then signs and symptoms appear.

The following are the signs and symptoms of dandruff:

• White patches on the scalp
• Itching on the scalp, and also on the eyebrow
• Feels like hair lice crawling on the head in severe cases
• Dry hair
• Hair fall

How to prevent and manage dandruff in winter?

Dandruff can be prevented by some medicated shampoos or medicines, or some effective home remedies, as follows:

Avoid hot water to wash your hair:

Hot water is not generally good for the overall body for washing purposes. Using warm/ hot water for hair washing can actually worsen the condition. The reason is that hot water removes all natural oils and leads to more dryness.

Moreover, in the absence of natural oils, the scalp produces more oils, which further increases the dandruff. So, using warm water increases the irritation and more dryness on the scalp.

So, avoid warm, hot water for hair wash in winter.

Stay hydrated: Dandruff in winter:

As our skin needs a proper amount of water and fluids to nourish and glow. However, in the winter, due to the change in the outer environment, our skin also becomes affected. Therefore, in the winter, it is necessary to take enough fluid besides other beauty products, such as moisturizing lotion, etc.

So, one of the main causes of dry scalp and skin is due to a lack of enough water in the body. Due to the dry and cold weather, people avoid drinking enough fluids, which leads to dehydration and dry skin.

So, try to drink enough water or fluids in winter to avoid dryness. This is necessary for the skin as well as for other parts of the body.

Do not tie or cover your wet hair: Dandruff in winter

It is always good to keep hair dry after a hair wash. It can be done naturally by sitting in sunlight or drying with an electrical hair dryer. However, some people do not bother to dry their hair after washing, and tie their hair before drying it. Moreover, tying up wet hair can increase the risk of dandruff overgrowth due to increased humidity.

As discussed above, dandruff is like a fungus, and every fungus species grows in a humid and wet environment.  So, keeping the hair wet can increase the risk of dandruff.

Do not comb your hair with other combs that have dandruff:

Dandruff can be transferred from one person to another by using a comb or a towel. So, avoid using combs, especially in the barber shops or in the beauty salons. To avoid this transfer, take your own comb to saloons and also at home.

Do not cover your head with a scarf or a cap:

Covering up your head /hair with a cap or a scarf can increase humidity, which increases the growth of dandruff. So, avoid using caps or scarves all the time.

Oiling hair before hair wash: Dandruff in winter

Dandruff starts growing when the natural oils are diminished on the scalp. A normal amount of oil is necessary for the hair to remain healthy, but the overproduction of oil can also affect and block the pores, and increase the risk of overgrowth of dandruff.

Use organic or high-quality hair oil:

Oiling your hair and scalp with a quality organic oil.

Furthermore, applying and massaging the scalp can also improve the blood flow toward the scalp, which further improves the dryness and results in healthy hair follicles.

Always apply the hair oil before hair wash: Dandruff in winter

Keep in mind, do not apply hair oil after hair wash, as it makes the hair frizzy and attracts dirt, which may further lead to a decrease in the quality and shine of your hair.

Furthermore, do not apply too much oil on hair, as this may lead to using more wash time and more shampoo to rinse the oil, which further leads to dry hair.

Warm oil before use:

Avoid daily hair wash:

As hygiene is necessary for a healthy life and charming personality, a neat and clean head looks attractive and good, but too much washing of hair is not good for a healthy scalp.

Therefore, do not wash your hair on a daily basis; our hair needs natural nutrients and oils. Frequent washing can lead to the removal of oils, which act as natural moisturizers.

When the oils are diminished by daily washing, the scalp becomes dry and frizzy. Therefore, avoid washing your hair on a daily basis.

Lemon juice for dandruff:

Lemon juice helps in combating dandruff due to its acidic nature. When lemon juice is applied to the scalp with water or if it is mixed with other moisturizing oils such as coconut oil, its effectiveness is doubled, and it works more effectively.

Moreover, the citric acid in the lemon keeps the scalp PH balanced, which reduces fungal growth; decreased growth resulted in low growth of dandruff. Moreover, regular application of lemon juice strengthens hair follicles and helps in treating and reducing itching and dryness.

How to use lemon juice for dandruff?

Lemon juice can be used in the following ways to clear dandruff:

• Mix lemon juice (fresh lemon juice) with any oil, such as coconut oil or yogurt, and apply it to the scalp and massage gently. Leave it for two to three hours, then wash your hair. It will clean the dandruff and relieve itching. Secondly,
• Wash your hair with shampoo first, then mix lemon juice with a glass of water and rinse your hair at the end. This is the simplest, most effective, and low-cost remedy to get rid of dandruff by using lemon juice.

How to manage an itch due to dandruff?

As long as dandruff is present, itching is there. To relieve itching, it is necessary to treat dandruff first.

How does dandruff affect your general health?

Dandruff, in severe cases, disturbs a person mentally, physically, and socially. A person with dandruff feels low self-esteem, distraction while working due to itching, and feels irritation continuously.

Is there any specific diet to reduce dandruff?

Yes, diet plays a significant role in combating dandruff. A diet rich in omega-3, vitamins such as vitamin B12, B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc helps in promoting scalp health. So focusing on healthy food can also help in combating dandruff.

So, dandruff can be prevented by using a proper diet and managing with simple home remedies