Dandruff Hair Loss: Does dandruff cause hair fall?

It’s important to give your scalp the same attention and care you give the rest of your skin. Scalp health is essential if you want to keep dandruff at bay, avoid excessive hair fall, and have healthy growth. If dandruff and hair fall is left untreated, it can damage your hair follicles. The consistent itching will lead to hair fall and scalp damage.

Table of Contents

Dandruff and Hair Loss: How Are They Connected

Does dandruff cause hair fall?

Causes of dandruff and hair fall

How to prevent hair fall due to dandruff?

Home remedies for dandruff and hair fall

How to use tea tree oil for hair dandruff?

Treatment options for dandruff and hair fall

When to consult a Doctor?

Why choose HairMD?

Dandruff and Hair Loss: How Are They Connected

While dandruff, by itself, does not cause hair loss, there is a connection between the two. Hair fall due to dandruff can be the result of an infection or a medical condition. To that, dandruff, if left untreated, may lead to seborrheic dermatitis, an inflammatory disorder that can aggravate hair loss.

In all, people who experience dandruff or dandruff-like symptoms can experience hair loss.

Does dandruff cause hair fall?

Heavy hair-fall due to dandruff happens when the scalp’s skin is dry and itchy flakes start to form. This is a symptom and not a diagnosis!
It can happen due to many factors like dry skin, diet, stress, infection, excessive sebum production, allergic reaction to shampoos, or any hair products. When left unchecked, dandruff can lead to severe itching which can result in injured scalp skin.

Consistent inflammation in the hair follicles can cause scarring and damage. It will also lead to slow hair growth. Additionally, aggressively brushing or twisting your hair can make hair fall worse.
Medical issues that can result in dandruff include eczema, scalp psoriasis, scalp ringworm, or seborrheic dermatitis. These conditions cause dandruff and are associated with hair loss.

Causes of dandruff and hair fall

Any external factor or medical condition that causes dryness or flaky scalp skin will lead to dandruff and hair fall. If you don’t seek professional help, you will notice the following signs, signifying that the dandruff problem is getting worse.

Fungal infections:

Ringworm can lead to intense itching on your scalp, which leads to dandruff and hair fall. Some people will start noticing blisters or large dry flakes, along with heavy hair fall due to dandruff. A dermatologist will suggest that you use an antifungal shampoo for dandruff and hair fall to help treat this condition.

Scalp psoriasis:

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects the scalp. It causes scaly patches and an itchy scalp. Although the signs don’t result in dandruff, there are dandruff-like symptoms. You will start noticing bald patches where the scaly patches appear.
At times, hair loss and dandruff are not linked directly. Many people may notice hair loss due to various other reasons like male pattern baldness, stress, injury, inflammation, and so on.

How to prevent hair fall due to dandruff?

Yes, it can. Although it’s not the only cause for hair fall, severe dandruff cases can lead to hair loss. Here are some prevention tips that will stop any flare-ups in the future:

• Consult a medical professional, like a dermatologist, for treatments like oil for dandruff and hair fall or shampoo for dandruff and hair fall.
• If you notice you’re losing hair in clumps, you should see a doctor because it can be a sign of another scalp problem.
• Keep up with your hygiene and take care of your scalp’s health. Infrequent washing can result in an itchy and flaky scalp.
• Avoid tight hairstyles that irritates the hair follicles and break hair strands.

Home remedies for dandruff and hair fall

Listed below are some natural home remedies that will minimize dandruff and hair fall. These are most effective if you experience the initial signs of hair fall and dandruff:

• Massaging your scalp with oils like Tea tree and coconut can help fight infections caused by bacteria and fungus. (It’s worth noting though that massaging or oiling may aggravate dandruff, making the situation worse. So, it should be kept at minimum.)
• Applying aloe vera gel on the scalp can help soothe the itchy inflamed scalp.
• Indulging in relaxing activities that minimize stress levels can be very helpful.
• Increasing your intake of Omega-3s and probiotics can help prevent dandruff and hair fall.

How to use tea tree oil for hair dandruff?

Dandruff is a condition in which the skin of the scalp flakes. Itching and irritation of the scalp may also be experienced. A fungus called Malassezia is one of the causes of dandruff. Cold and dry weather can cause dandruff or worsen it. Illness and stress are other factors that can aggravate dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis is another leading cause of dandruff, leading to flaking and itching of the scalp region. These skin flakes tend to fall off your neck, shoulders, and forehead. They are more visible in dark clothes, leading to embarrassment and low self-confidence. So, although not painful or contagious, dandruff may affect one’s social life, and that’s mainly why people who have this scalp condition seek treatment for the same. The other important reason why dandruff should be controlled is that it can lead one to scratch his/her scalp so much that it can cause injury and inflammation. Inflammation in the hair follicles can cause scarring as also slowing or stopping hair growth. This is how an itchy scalp, dandruff, and hair loss are related to one another. So, does hair fall due to dandruff? No, but it can hamper hair growth and increase hair fall.

Dandruff, dry scalp, and hair loss are linked, and the application of essential oils on the scalp can be soothing to the skin and also provide hydration and reduce hair loss. Oils like coconut oil and tea tree oil help in combating dryness of the scalp, alleviate itching and irritation, and work effectively against dandruff. An oil massage to the hair and scalp also helps in improving the blood circulation in that region and boosts hair growth.

How to use tea tree oil and coconut oil for hair dandruff? If your scalp or hair is excessively dry, you can use tea tree oil. It is advisable to mix 8-10 drops of tea tree oil with 1-2 tablespoons of unrefined coconut oil, apply the mixture on the scalp, and massage well. This should not be left on the scalp for an hour or overnight followed by a hair wash. It is good to carry out this routine 2-3 times a week, 30 minutes before bath. 

Tea tree oil is one of the best treatments for dandruff caused due to the fungus Malassezia. Coconut oil moisturizes the skin, which helps in treating dryness and dandruff. It is also a good conditioner for the hair. Oral anti-fungal medications and anti-fungal shampoos are also beneficial for getting rid of dandruff. Thus, a combination of coconut oil and tea tree oil is an excellent remedy for dandruff and can help in promoting good hair growth, while also maintaining the hair’s texture and beauty.

Treatment options for dandruff and hair fall:

The good news is that the itching and flaking caused by dandruff can be controlled. You must visit a doctor the moment you notice you have dandruff and hair fall problems. A dermatologist will diagnose and prescribe you the right solutions to treat your condition.

The hair fall and dandruff treatment will include medicated shampoos like ketoconazole shampoo and other hair care products. They will help break down any buildup and cleanse your scalp, as well. The dandruff shampoos prescribed to you will contain the following:

• Zinc Pyrithione: Which are for antifungal and antibacterial infections
• Tar-based: reduces flaky skin
• Salicylic acid: eliminates scale

You must follow your dermatologist’s instructions, along with reading the directions on the shampoo bottle. For desired results, you must ensure that you use the shampoo regularly – at least three times a week- to treat dandruff and hair fall. Once you see improvements, you can taper the use to once a week. In case, if you notice an increase in hair fall after using any medicated shampoo, visit your doctor immediately.

When to consult a Doctor?

When you start noticing significant hair fall, itchy and inflamed scalp, large dandruff flakes, and blisters, you should see a doctor immediately. It’s recommended that you bring along the hair products that you have been using so that the doctor can determine if they are causing your dandruff.

Why choose HairMD?

HairMD – with its team of expert cosmetologists, dermatologists, and skilled surgeons – will ensure you get the best medical care required to manage hair loss and dandruff conditions. Our process involves a thorough examination of the scalp and hair with the objective to find the root cause of hair loss and dandruff. Thereon, we outline a course of medical treatment to effectively manage the problem. In addition, we also offer complete guidance to the patients for further home care.

We understand that every patient is different and applying the same solutions in every case might not be in their best interests.  Hence, we take the time to understand you, your daily routines, and your lifestyle. Accordingly, we draft a treatment process that causes minimum stress and delivers the best results.