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Dandruff can be a very troublesome problem, but the fact is that in a large number of cases, it is easily treatable. It basically involves the flaking of clumps of dead skin from the scalp, causing the white "dust" that is the typical sign of dandruff. This is of course what most people consider to be the main problem with dandruff - people find it embarrassing to have flakes falling out of their hair at all times. However, dandruff can cause more serious problems than social embarrassment. Sometimes it can be caused by fungal infections, and these infections can eventually affect the hair follicles and growth of hair. If you also suffer from sever itching, the natural response is of course to scratch your scalp, and excessive scratching is bound to break the skin and eventually cause inflammation and secondary infections.
The first thing you need to do to treat your dandruff is check whether your shampoo is contributing to the problem. If your shampoo leaves your hair either too dry or too oily, it can aggravate dandruff. Normally, the scalp is always discarding dead cells, but if the skin is dry, it is more likely to flake, and if it is too oily, the dead cells are likely to accumulate and fall off in clumps, rather than at a steady, normal rate.
Secondly, you need to change the way you use your shampoo - try shampooing daily, and be sure to work the shampoo into your scalp with your fingertips, so as to dislodge the dead cells. This will reduce the amount of dead skin on your scalp, thus reducing the chances of it flaking later. If this does not work, you can try any anti dandruff shampoo; although, strictly speaking, this is not a natural remedy, it is usually very effective.
One natural remedy that works in many cases of dandruff is tea tree oil. This is a traditional Australian remedy that is quite popular nowadays, and has antiseptic and antifungal properties. You should apply tea tree oil on your scalp and hair at night before going to bed, and wash it off thoroughly in the morning. However, note that tea tree oil can be quite harsh, and sensitive skin may be irritated by it. You should first try a small amount of it on your scalp, and continue to use it only if there is no adverse reaction. Also remember that dandruff can be caused by skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, and these will require medical attention.
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