Dandruff That Won’t Go Away: What Causes It?

Dandruff consists of white or yellowish flakes of scalp skin that easily fall onto the shoulders and are often accompanied by itching. Although it is not dangerous, dandruff that keeps coming back can affect your comfort and appearance.

The main cause of dandruff is related to the Malassezia fungus, which naturally lives on the scalp. In some people, this fungus triggers a mild inflammatory reaction that speeds up skin cell turnover, resulting in flakes. An oily scalp, infrequent hair washing, stress, and humid weather can make this condition worse.

If the flakes are thick and oily and accompanied by redness that spreads to the eyebrows, the sides of the nose, or behind the ears, you may have seborrheic dermatitis. Other conditions such as scalp psoriasis or fungal infections can also look similar to dandruff, so they need to be distinguished.

Washing your hair regularly and avoiding scratching your scalp can help reduce symptoms. If your dandruff does not improve, your scalp feels sore, or sores appear, you should see a doctor. An initial consultation can also be done through DokterIN.