At times the two terms are used interchangeably to describe the same type of symptoms, but there is a difference between the two scalp disorders. Ketoconazole (Nizoral) kills the fungus that causes dandruff. Dry scalp and Dandruff are similar problems but they are not the same. To make matters worse, a fungus called Malassezia thrives on an oily scalp, and it can also trigger dandruff. Both dryness and dandruff can make your scalp itch. Yet some people have too much of it, and it causes skin cells to multiply more quickly than usual. One way to tell the difference between dry scalp and flakes from dandruff is by their appearance. They are designed to sooth the skin and enable it to stay moisturized. Also avoid oily hair products that can build up on your scalp. However, I always try to incorporate essential vitamins and minerals into my daily meals. Some people are allergic to tea tree oil. how certain vitamin deficiencies can cause or prolong dandruff. Appearance: Dandruff looks like flakes of white or yellow skin on the scalp and hair. As the name suggests, dry scalp is actually just overly dry skin on the scalp. Unlike dry scalp, dandruff is usually not accompanied by dry skin on other areas of the body. It can sometimes be confusing, as it was for me, as dry scalp and dandruff look very similar and have overlapping symptoms. Dandruff Vs Dry Scalp Flakes: Understanding The Differences. An itchy head and falling dandruff can be embarrassing and irritating. Oily. There are several ways to mitigate the dryness to your scalp. Learn how your comment data is processed. With winters, comes the dry and itchy scalp. Learn more: Psoriasis vs. seborrheic dermatitis: what you should know ». Shampoos containing tea tree oil are an alternative remedy for dandruff. Hey Jeslyn, I’m glad it helped and thanks for stopping by. If you don’t know what is the difference between both then read the complete post today as we will make you know about dandruff vs dry scalp along with the reasons for their happening.. Let us check it out now. For more stubborn dandruff, your doctor can prescribe a stronger shampoo or a steroid lotion. It is caused by the excessive production of dead skin cells that itch and become flaky. Tea tree oil is a natural ingredient with antifungal properties. There are several reasons why you may just be having a dry scalp. Dandruff and dry scalp have similar symptoms. Most dandruff shampoos contain medicine that kills the fungus on your scalp or removes flaky skin. Your scalp will have an inflammatory reaction and will appear red and dry. Dandruff also causes your scalp to become oily, red, scaly and itchy. Scalp associated with dandruff is typically itchy, oily and scaly but not inflamed. We include products we think are useful for our readers. Make sure to rinse out all the shampoo. Dandruff is a common skin condition that appears on the scalp. Healthy vitamins and minerals you should include: Read more on how certain vitamin deficiencies can cause or prolong dandruff. You could also have dry skin if you do anything that decreases the oil on your scalp. The first step towards the right treatment is the correct identification of the problem. People with too much of this yeast will experience their scalp’s skin cells multiplying too quickly and falling off at a rapid rate. This Org Is Stepping Up, The 3-Day Refresh to Eliminate Fatigue and Bloating After a Blowout Meal, Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS, Why the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Is So Slow, How Your Diet May Help Reduce Rosacea Flare-Ups, oily, large flakes that are yellow or white. Organizations like the National Multiple Sclerosis Society have found ways to create community, even though many people with chronic illnesses have…, Some foods can help increase your energy levels and maintain your alertness. The scalp appears dry and red patches may appear on the scalp. No matter which dandruff shampoo you try, read the instructions on the bottle and follow them carefully. These flakes are typically larger than what is seen with dry scalp. In other cases, seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis takes the form of an eczema-like scaly or flaky scalp. Tea tree oil and coconut oil, among other home treatments, are good for keeping your head moist. This quiz serves as a personal guideline but you should always see a dermatologist if you want to know for sure. Other symptoms of dandruff and dry scalp are very similar, which often leads to the two becoming confused for each other. They can rule out conditions like eczema and psoriasis, which can also cause flaky skin on the scalp. All you need to remember is that dry scalp usually has smaller white flakes that are dry, whereas dandruff usually has bigger yellow or white flakes which tend to be more oily. Dry scalp is simply dry skin in the densely haired area on the top of one's head. Some hair stylists can perform a scalp treatment that uses steam to deliver more moisture to your scalp. I can tell you that I was very demotivated initially, but managed to overcome it, and so can you! A good indicator for dry scalp is that you have other dry patches on your body as well. You’ll probably have dry skin all over your body. When you have dandruff, skin cells on your scalp shed more quickly than usual. It started about 15 years ago. Dandruff. Before I developed dandruff, I had dry skin on my scalp as well. After taking the dry scalp or dandruff quiz, please feel free more about each condition and possible treatments below! Dry scalp = a scalp that lacks moisture. The main cause of dandruff is seborrheic dermatitis, a condition that turns the skin oily, red, and scaly. Dandruff forms when excess skin cells on the scalp die and fall off. Research shows that psoriasis is an immune system dysfunction. Shares. Dandruff flakes are larger and look oily. Tracy Wesp. In dry scalp, the skin gets irritated and flakes off. “Dandruff is caused by an elevation of fungus on the surface of the scalp, whereas a dry scalp is simply a hydration issue,” he says. Dandruff might seem like the result of dry scalp, but it can happen for many reasons, including a yeast-like fungus that feeds on the oils in your skin. To start off, the term dry scalp is actually not a medical term. These ingredients can dry out your scalp. I have tried so many of the wrong kind! One way to tell whether you have dry scalp or dandruff is to apply a light moisturizer to your scalp before you go to bed. I hope this dry scalp or dandruff quiz was able to assist you in understanding which condition you have. Cold weather can cause dry scalp, as it absorbs a lot of moisture from your skin. A comparison of dandruff vs dry scalp reveals that both of these hair conditions emanate from unhealthy and unclean hair. And secondary ovens and gas for the growth of healing and autumn years ago at a salon after 12 months. Dry scalp can also be triggered by factors like these: The skin cells on your scalp and body normally multiply when you need more of them. Based on the symptoms you’re experiencing, you can understand the differences between dry scalp flakes and dandruff as listed in the table below: Symptoms. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Like dry skin on other parts of the body, dry scalp occurs when there is not enough moisture in the skin. However, there are several foods that may help calm your skin. Seborrheic dermatitis is also common in other oily parts of your body, such as the nose, ears, and eyebrows [3].eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'managedandruff_com-box-4','ezslot_5',116,'0','0'])); Eczema is a skin condition that is similar to seborrheic dermatitis and leaves rough inflamed patches on your scalp and other parts of your body. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'managedandruff_com-banner-1','ezslot_12',117,'0','0']));In fact, it’s become part of my standard routine, that I sometimes don’t even realize that I have it anymore. If you’ve found that you do have dandruff or dry scalp, there are some ingredients you may want to think about adding to your regimen that will help reverse some of the effects. Apologies for my late reply. Salicylic acid (Neutrogena T/Sal) removes extra scale from your scalp before it can flake. You may be confusing dry scalp with dandruff. 1. Dandruff isn’t curable. In some cases, scalp psoriasis can appear in the form of cracks and itchy skin. Dandruff is essentially the flaking of the scalp, and when we refer to dandruff, we’re usually talking about a common skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis, MacGregor explained. Dandruff flakes will stick to the scalp and to your hair brush more readily than the powdery white flakes associated with dry scalp. There are several ways to treat dandruff. Differences Between Dandruff Vs Dry Scalp. You can buy it in over the counter or prescription strength. You will notice the itchy sensation on your scalp and when you scratch certain areas, where you have dry skin patches, flakes will fall. Dandruff is not a rare occurrence amongst men and women. Additionally old age and genetics are partially blamed as a cause. When it comes to picking a shampoo, make sure the ingredients are what you need for your condition. Home treatments will not only help you to get rid of your dandruff, but it will also help to moisturize your hair ensuring that it getting all the essential nutrients. It can change your hair color. Dry skin can lead to small flakes on your scalp. If your scalp is dry, chances are that you suffer from dry skin on other parts of your body. Dandruff is a common condition that causes flaking of the skin on the scalp producing small, loose, gray or white flakes. Dandruff and dry scalp have the same main symptoms, which are falling flakes and an itchy scalp, but they are two different conditions. Keep your eyes running through this blog to know the difference between dandruff and dry scalp, their causes, symptoms, and treatments. Read this Biolage guide to understand the differences between dandruff vs. dry scalp. But it could be a sign of dry scalp. The skin on your scalp becomes irritated and flakes off. How to Get Rid of Dandruff vs Dry Scalp . Feel free to read my step-by-step guide on the best oils to use for dandruff. Yet you don’t want to get too much sun exposure because it can increase your risk for skin cancer. This ensures that my hair is as dandruff-free as possible. How’s the effect on your scalp? This page explains exactly how much water you should drink in a day. This dry scalp can lead to itchiness, flaking and irritation. There’s no one recommended rosacea diet for reducing flare-ups. Dandruff is a very common condition, but a dry scalp is rare because the scalp is naturally very oily, and hair helps to retain the scalp’s moisture. Male hormones:Men are more likely to get dandruff than women. That’s because I believe in a little more flexibility. An irritated scalp leads to a damaged outer layer of skin, allowing essential moisture to escape so the skin on the scalp becomes dry. Ask your doctor before you try it. It is self-contained and cannot be spread to others, though some evidence does suggest dandruff can run in families. Differences Between Dandruff Vs Dry Scalp. Observe dry … Dandruff is often a symptom of dry scalp which is likely a contributor as to why a lot of people have trouble differentiating the two. Here’s our process. Thanks again! Dry. Continued Dandruff vs. Dry Scalp. This fungus normally lives on your scalp. Having a dry scalp is closely related to having dry skin, in general. Then they die and shed off. Please make sure that you do not take this quiz or material as medical advice. You might have another skin condition that needs to be treated.